Veralto Stock Rises 30% in a Year: Here's What You Should Know

Company Performance and Growth - Shares of Veralto Corporation (VLTO) have gained 30% over the past year, outperforming the industry's 23% rally [1] - The company has an impressive Growth Score of B, reflecting the quality and sustainability of its growth [1] - Expected long-term (three to five years) EPS growth rate is 7%, with earnings for 2024 and 2025 projected to grow at 9% and 6.5%, respectively [1] Water Quality Segment Leadership - VLTO is a leader in the Water Quality segment, benefiting from growth opportunities in the US industrial and municipal verticals [2] - The CHIPS Act of 2022 provides significant tailwinds for the industrial vertical through semiconductor manufacturing grants, research investments, and tax credits [2] - Increased US government funding for water infrastructure modernization is a strong growth catalyst for the municipal vertical [3] - WC revenues grew 3.6% year over year in Q3 2024 [3] Product Quality and Inspection (PQI) Segment Innovation - VLTO is a trusted leader in the PQI segment, serving major consumer-packaged goods (CPG), life sciences, and pharmaceutical companies [4] - The Marketing & Coding (M&C) sub-segment is the largest contributor to PQI revenues, driven by its critical role in regulatory compliance and digital solutions [4][5] - PQI revenues grew 6.3% year over year in Q3 2024, with the recent acquisition of TraceGains strengthening the segment [6] Shareholder Value and Dividend Policy - VLTO has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns since its NYSE listing in late 2024, consistently paying a quarterly dividend of 9 cents [7] - The company recently increased its dividend by 22% to 11 cents per share, reflecting confidence in its financial strength and growth prospects [7] Industry and Competitive Landscape - The semiconductor industry's long-term outlook remains favorable, driven by rising demand for digital tools, AI, and autonomous technologies [3] - VLTO's positioning in high-growth industries, such as water quality and PQI, highlights its potential for sustained success [5] - Climb Global Solutions (CLMB) and ABM Industries (ABM) are better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Business Services sector, with CLMB having a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and ABM carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [9][10]