We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, Colgate-Palmolive and West Pharmaceutical Services
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 16, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO - Free Report) , Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL - Free Report) and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
3 Dividend Aristocrats to Buy Now Amid the Middle East Crisis
March has historically been a strong month for the stock market. However, the escalating Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has shaken markets, prompting investors to seek safer investment options.
Dividend aristocrat stocks like Atmos Energy Corp., Colgate-Palmolive Co. and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. could help provide stability and protect portfolios during periods of market mayhem. Let's take a closer look at why –
Rising Oil Prices Fuel Inflation Fears, U.S. Stocks Hit
On Thursday, oil prices jumped after Iran unexpectedly struck two oil tankers in Iraqi waters near the key export terminal at Basra. Brent crude has settled above $100 a barrel since Aug. 22, while the West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $95.73 per barrel, according to CNN Business.
The International Energy Agency cautioned that oil supply could remain vulnerable if energy infrastructure across the Middle East region is repeatedly targeted. Regrettably, supply disruptions show little sign of easing after Iran's current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, recently said that the Strait of Hormuz should remain shut to apply tactical pressure on adversaries.
The rise in oil prices unnerved investors, as escalating energy costs add to inflationary pressure, threatening economic growth and potentially pushing share prices down. U.S. stock markets continue to face bouts of volatility, particularly affecting airline and travel shares. The Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each fell more than 1% on Thursday, with the 30-stock Dow closing below the 47,000 level for the first time this year.
3 Dividend Aristocrats for Stable Income Amid Volatility
As the Middle East crisis rattles markets, with no immediate signs of easing, investors should turn to safer options for consistent income. Dividend aristocrats stand out as they have a long track record of raising dividends, reflecting strong financial stability. Their steady payouts and resilient business models can help cushion portfolios during periods of market volatility like the current crisis.
Here are three dividend aristocrats, with 25+ years of successive dividend increases:
Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy operates regulated natural gas distribution, pipeline and storage businesses in the United States.
Atmos Energy has a dividend yield of 2.17%. ATO's payout ratio presently sits at 52% of earnings. ATO's payout has advanced by 8.75% in the past five years. Check Atmos Energy's dividend history here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 2.1% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 10.2%.
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and globally.
Colgate-Palmolive has a dividend yield of 2.32%. CL's payout ratio presently sits at 56% of earnings. CL's payout has advanced by 3.36% in the past five years. Check Colgate-Palmolive's dividend history here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 1.3% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 5.7%.
West Pharmaceutical Services
West Pharmaceutical Services makes containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products worldwide.
West Pharmaceutical Services has a dividend yield of 0.37%. WST's payout ratio presently sits at 12% of earnings. WST's payout has advanced by 5.55% in the past five years. Check West Pharmaceutical Services' dividend history here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 2.6% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 7.8%.
Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, Colgate-Palmolive and West Pharmaceutical Services
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 16, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO - Free Report) , Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL - Free Report) and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
3 Dividend Aristocrats to Buy Now Amid the Middle East Crisis
March has historically been a strong month for the stock market. However, the escalating Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has shaken markets, prompting investors to seek safer investment options.
Dividend aristocrat stocks like Atmos Energy Corp., Colgate-Palmolive Co. and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. could help provide stability and protect portfolios during periods of market mayhem. Let's take a closer look at why –
Rising Oil Prices Fuel Inflation Fears, U.S. Stocks Hit
On Thursday, oil prices jumped after Iran unexpectedly struck two oil tankers in Iraqi waters near the key export terminal at Basra. Brent crude has settled above $100 a barrel since Aug. 22, while the West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $95.73 per barrel, according to CNN Business.
The International Energy Agency cautioned that oil supply could remain vulnerable if energy infrastructure across the Middle East region is repeatedly targeted. Regrettably, supply disruptions show little sign of easing after Iran's current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, recently said that the Strait of Hormuz should remain shut to apply tactical pressure on adversaries.
The rise in oil prices unnerved investors, as escalating energy costs add to inflationary pressure, threatening economic growth and potentially pushing share prices down. U.S. stock markets continue to face bouts of volatility, particularly affecting airline and travel shares. The Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each fell more than 1% on Thursday, with the 30-stock Dow closing below the 47,000 level for the first time this year.
3 Dividend Aristocrats for Stable Income Amid Volatility
As the Middle East crisis rattles markets, with no immediate signs of easing, investors should turn to safer options for consistent income. Dividend aristocrats stand out as they have a long track record of raising dividends, reflecting strong financial stability. Their steady payouts and resilient business models can help cushion portfolios during periods of market volatility like the current crisis.
Here are three dividend aristocrats, with 25+ years of successive dividend increases:
Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy operates regulated natural gas distribution, pipeline and storage businesses in the United States.
Atmos Energy has a dividend yield of 2.17%. ATO's payout ratio presently sits at 52% of earnings. ATO's payout has advanced by 8.75% in the past five years. Check Atmos Energy's dividend history here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 2.1% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 10.2%.
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and globally.
Colgate-Palmolive has a dividend yield of 2.32%. CL's payout ratio presently sits at 56% of earnings. CL's payout has advanced by 3.36% in the past five years. Check Colgate-Palmolive's dividend history here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 1.3% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 5.7%.
West Pharmaceutical Services
West Pharmaceutical Services makes containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products worldwide.
West Pharmaceutical Services has a dividend yield of 0.37%. WST's payout ratio presently sits at 12% of earnings. WST's payout has advanced by 5.55% in the past five years. Check West Pharmaceutical Services' dividend history here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has increased 2.6% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth for the current year is 7.8%.
All three of them, Atmos Energy, Colgate-Palmolive and West Pharmaceutical Services, currently have a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.
Get all the details here >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.