Everybody loves dividends, as they provide a passive income stream, limit drawdowns in other positions, and provide more than one way to profit from an investment.
And when considering dividend-paying stocks, those with a history of boosting their payout are prime considerations, reflecting their commitment to increasingly rewarding shareholders.
In addition, consistent dividend hikes reflect the company’s successful nature, opting to share profits with shareholders.
For those seeking companies that have recently boosted payouts, Cigna Group (CI - Free Report) , CME Group (CME - Free Report) , and The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) precisely fit the criteria. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Cigna Group
Cigna is a global health services company that delivers choice, predictability, affordability, and access to quality care through integrated capabilities and connected personalized solutions. The stock is presently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with expectations inching higher across several timeframes.
The company boosted its quarterly payout by 14% following its latest set of quarterly results. Concerning headline figures, CI posted a 4% beat relative to the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate and posted revenue nearly 5% ahead of the consensus.
Cigna has consistently grown its revenues over the years, as shown below.
Shares could also entice value-focused investors, with the current 11.7X forward earnings multiple (F1) sitting well beneath five-year highs of 14.7X and the respective Zacks – HMOs industry average of 16.6X. The stock sports a Style Score of ‘A’ for Value.
CME Group
CME Group is the largest futures exchange in the world in terms of trading volume and notional value traded. The stock has enjoyed marginally positive earnings estimate revisions across the board.
CME recently boosted its quarterly payout by 4.5% to $1.15 per share, continuing its shareholder-friendly nature. It’s also worth noting that the company’s 49% payout ratio resides on the sustainable side.
Keep an eye out for the company’s next quarterly release scheduled on February 14th, as the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate of $2.27 has been taken 4% higher since last November and reflects year-over-year growth of a solid 18%.
Revenue expectations have also increased across the same period, with the $1.4 billion expected nearly 5% higher.
The Hershey Company
Hershey is a well-known manufacturer of chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery. The company recently unveiled a solid 15% boost to its quarterly dividend to $1.37 per share.
The company has long been a favorite of income-focused investors, paying an uninterrupted dividend since 1930.
Hershey’s steady growth looks set to continue, with consensus expectations for its current year (FY23) implying 12% earnings growth on 8% higher sales. Peeking ahead to FY24, consensus expectations allude to an additional 2% of earnings expansion paired with a 3% sales boost.
Bottom Line
Companies that consistently boost their dividend payouts reflect a successful and shareholder-friendly nature, opting to share a portion of profits with investors.
And for those seeking dividend growers, all three companies above – Cigna Group (CI - Free Report) , CME Group (CME - Free Report) , and The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) – have recently boosted their payouts.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
Everybody loves dividends, as they provide a passive income stream, limit drawdowns in other positions, and provide more than one way to profit from an investment.
And when considering dividend-paying stocks, those with a history of boosting their payout are prime considerations, reflecting their commitment to increasingly rewarding shareholders.
In addition, consistent dividend hikes reflect the company’s successful nature, opting to share profits with shareholders.
For those seeking companies that have recently boosted payouts, Cigna Group (CI - Free Report) , CME Group (CME - Free Report) , and The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) precisely fit the criteria. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Cigna Group
Cigna is a global health services company that delivers choice, predictability, affordability, and access to quality care through integrated capabilities and connected personalized solutions. The stock is presently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with expectations inching higher across several timeframes.
The company boosted its quarterly payout by 14% following its latest set of quarterly results. Concerning headline figures, CI posted a 4% beat relative to the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate and posted revenue nearly 5% ahead of the consensus.
Cigna has consistently grown its revenues over the years, as shown below.
Shares could also entice value-focused investors, with the current 11.7X forward earnings multiple (F1) sitting well beneath five-year highs of 14.7X and the respective Zacks – HMOs industry average of 16.6X. The stock sports a Style Score of ‘A’ for Value.
CME Group
CME Group is the largest futures exchange in the world in terms of trading volume and notional value traded. The stock has enjoyed marginally positive earnings estimate revisions across the board.
CME recently boosted its quarterly payout by 4.5% to $1.15 per share, continuing its shareholder-friendly nature. It’s also worth noting that the company’s 49% payout ratio resides on the sustainable side.
Keep an eye out for the company’s next quarterly release scheduled on February 14th, as the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate of $2.27 has been taken 4% higher since last November and reflects year-over-year growth of a solid 18%.
Revenue expectations have also increased across the same period, with the $1.4 billion expected nearly 5% higher.
The Hershey Company
Hershey is a well-known manufacturer of chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery. The company recently unveiled a solid 15% boost to its quarterly dividend to $1.37 per share.
The company has long been a favorite of income-focused investors, paying an uninterrupted dividend since 1930.
Hershey’s steady growth looks set to continue, with consensus expectations for its current year (FY23) implying 12% earnings growth on 8% higher sales. Peeking ahead to FY24, consensus expectations allude to an additional 2% of earnings expansion paired with a 3% sales boost.
Bottom Line
Companies that consistently boost their dividend payouts reflect a successful and shareholder-friendly nature, opting to share a portion of profits with investors.
And for those seeking dividend growers, all three companies above – Cigna Group (CI - Free Report) , CME Group (CME - Free Report) , and The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) – have recently boosted their payouts.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
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