It goes without saying that it’s been a volatility-packed year, with news headlines shaking the market back and forth.
The Fed has fully pivoted to a hawkish nature, sending many investors’ favorite growth and tech stocks tumbling.
During times of heightened volatility, an established income stream is undoubtedly a major positive, allowing investors to offset losses in other positions and reap those sweet dividend payouts.
However, not all dividend payers are the same. Some companies belong to an elite group known as Dividend Aristocrats.
But what is this group, and why is it so elite?
Dividend Aristocrats are classified as companies with at least 25 consecutive annual dividend increases.
With a long track record of rewarding shareholders handsomely, it’s easy to see why Dividend Aristocrats are generally on any income investor’s watchlist and why the group is viewed so positively.
Three Dividend Aristocrats – Aflac (AFL - Free Report) , Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) , and Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) – deserve a spot on any income-focused investor’s watchlist.
Below is a year-to-date chart depicting the share performance of all three companies in 2022, with the S&P 500 blended in as a benchmark.
Let’s take a deeper dive into each company.
Aflac
Aflac’s annual dividend yields a sector-beating 2.7% paired with a payout ratio that sits more than sustainably at 28% of earnings.
Further, the company has upped its dividend six times over the last five years, with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of a double-digit 11%.
In addition to rock-solid dividend metrics, Aflac shares could be considered undervalued, displayed by its Style Score of an A for Value.
AFL’s 11.2X forward earnings multiple is just a hair beneath its five-year median of 11.3X and represents an enticing 23% discount relative to its Zacks Finance Sector.
Aflac has an incredible earnings track record, exceeding the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate in each of its last 22 quarterly prints.
Top line results have also been strong – AFL has registered exceeded revenue estimates for three consecutive quarters. Below is a chart illustrating the company’s revenue on a quarterly basis.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble rewards its shareholders via its annual dividend that yields a sizable 2.6%, just a tick below its Consumer Staples Sector average of 2.7%.
In addition, PG carries a 6% five-year annualized dividend growth rate paired with a payout ratio sitting at 63% of earnings.
Procter & Gamble carries a 23.3X forward earnings multiple, above its Zacks Sector average. However, the value is still below its five-year median of 23.8X.
Like AFL, Procter & Gamble has an impressive earnings track record, exceeding bottom line estimates in nine of its previous ten releases.
Top line results have also been robust – PG has penciled in nine revenue beats over its last ten quarters.
Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health’s annual dividend yield sits nicely at a steep 3%, well above its Zacks Medical Sector average of 1.5%.
Further, CAH carries a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 1.3%, and the company’s payout ratio sits at 39% of earnings.
Cardinal Health shares trade at rock-solid valuation levels, bolstered by its Style Score of an A for Value.
CAH’s 12.7X forward earnings multiple is above its five-year median but represents a staggering 40% discount relative to its Zacks Sector.
In addition, CAH’s free cash flow is undoubtedly worth highlighting; in its latest quarter, Cardinal Health reported quarterly free cash flow of $2.9 billion, good enough for a massive 430% Y/Y uptick.
Bottom Line
Many investors target income-generating assets, and for a simple reason – we all love getting paid.
During heightened volatility, dividend payouts help offset losses in other positions, providing a reliable income stream.
When looking for dividend payers, Dividend Aristocrats are classified as companies with at least 25 consecutive annual dividend increases.
All three stocks above, Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) , Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) , and Aflac (AFL - Free Report) , are all part of the elite Dividend Aristocrat group, telling us that they’ve enjoyed years and years of successful and reliable business operations.
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It goes without saying that it’s been a volatility-packed year, with news headlines shaking the market back and forth.
The Fed has fully pivoted to a hawkish nature, sending many investors’ favorite growth and tech stocks tumbling.
During times of heightened volatility, an established income stream is undoubtedly a major positive, allowing investors to offset losses in other positions and reap those sweet dividend payouts.
However, not all dividend payers are the same. Some companies belong to an elite group known as Dividend Aristocrats.
But what is this group, and why is it so elite?
Dividend Aristocrats are classified as companies with at least 25 consecutive annual dividend increases.
With a long track record of rewarding shareholders handsomely, it’s easy to see why Dividend Aristocrats are generally on any income investor’s watchlist and why the group is viewed so positively.
Three Dividend Aristocrats – Aflac (AFL - Free Report) , Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) , and Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) – deserve a spot on any income-focused investor’s watchlist.
Below is a year-to-date chart depicting the share performance of all three companies in 2022, with the S&P 500 blended in as a benchmark.
Let’s take a deeper dive into each company.
Aflac
Aflac’s annual dividend yields a sector-beating 2.7% paired with a payout ratio that sits more than sustainably at 28% of earnings.
Further, the company has upped its dividend six times over the last five years, with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of a double-digit 11%.
In addition to rock-solid dividend metrics, Aflac shares could be considered undervalued, displayed by its Style Score of an A for Value.
AFL’s 11.2X forward earnings multiple is just a hair beneath its five-year median of 11.3X and represents an enticing 23% discount relative to its Zacks Finance Sector.
Aflac has an incredible earnings track record, exceeding the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate in each of its last 22 quarterly prints.
Top line results have also been strong – AFL has registered exceeded revenue estimates for three consecutive quarters. Below is a chart illustrating the company’s revenue on a quarterly basis.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble rewards its shareholders via its annual dividend that yields a sizable 2.6%, just a tick below its Consumer Staples Sector average of 2.7%.
In addition, PG carries a 6% five-year annualized dividend growth rate paired with a payout ratio sitting at 63% of earnings.
Procter & Gamble carries a 23.3X forward earnings multiple, above its Zacks Sector average. However, the value is still below its five-year median of 23.8X.
Like AFL, Procter & Gamble has an impressive earnings track record, exceeding bottom line estimates in nine of its previous ten releases.
Top line results have also been robust – PG has penciled in nine revenue beats over its last ten quarters.
Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health’s annual dividend yield sits nicely at a steep 3%, well above its Zacks Medical Sector average of 1.5%.
Further, CAH carries a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 1.3%, and the company’s payout ratio sits at 39% of earnings.
Cardinal Health shares trade at rock-solid valuation levels, bolstered by its Style Score of an A for Value.
CAH’s 12.7X forward earnings multiple is above its five-year median but represents a staggering 40% discount relative to its Zacks Sector.
In addition, CAH’s free cash flow is undoubtedly worth highlighting; in its latest quarter, Cardinal Health reported quarterly free cash flow of $2.9 billion, good enough for a massive 430% Y/Y uptick.
Bottom Line
Many investors target income-generating assets, and for a simple reason – we all love getting paid.
During heightened volatility, dividend payouts help offset losses in other positions, providing a reliable income stream.
When looking for dividend payers, Dividend Aristocrats are classified as companies with at least 25 consecutive annual dividend increases.
All three stocks above, Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) , Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) , and Aflac (AFL - Free Report) , are all part of the elite Dividend Aristocrat group, telling us that they’ve enjoyed years and years of successful and reliable business operations.
Free Report Reveals How You Could Profit from the Growing Electric Vehicle Industry
Globally, electric car sales continue their remarkable growth even after breaking records in 2021. High gas prices have fueled his demand, but so has evolving EV comfort, features and technology. So, the fervor for EVs will be around long after gas prices normalize. Not only are manufacturers seeing record-high profits, but producers of EV-related technology are raking in the dough as well. Do you know how to cash in? If not, we have the perfect report for you – and it’s FREE! Today, don't miss your chance to download Zacks' top 5 stocks for the electric vehicle revolution at no cost and with no obligation.
>>Send me my free report on the top 5 EV stocks<<
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