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3 Dividend Stocks That Have Already Raised Their Payouts in 2025
CMCSAComcast(CMCSA) The Motley Fool·2025-03-02 09:27

Group 1: Dividend Increases Overview - Several companies have announced significant dividend hikes in early 2025, appealing to long-term investors and retirees as these stocks can help offset inflation [1] - Meta Platforms, Comcast, and Nexstar Media Group are highlighted for their recent dividend increases, with a focus on their yields and future prospects [2] Group 2: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to 0.525pershare,yieldingamodest0.30.525 per share, yielding a modest 0.3%, below the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [3][4] - The company reported a 60% increase in diluted earnings to 23.86 per share and a 22% revenue growth to 164.5billion,indicatingstrongfinancialstosupportfuturedividendhikes[4]Despitethecapacityfordividendexpansion,thestockmaynotbesuitableforincomefocusedinvestorsduetoitslowyieldandpotentialgrowthrisksfromcompetitorslikeTikTok[5]Group3:ComcastComcastannounceda6.5164.5 billion, indicating strong financials to support future dividend hikes [4] - Despite the capacity for dividend expansion, the stock may not be suitable for income-focused investors due to its low yield and potential growth risks from competitors like TikTok [5] Group 3: Comcast - Comcast announced a 6.5% dividend increase, marking the 17th consecutive year of hikes, with a new annualized payment of 1.32 per share yielding 3.6% [6] - The stock trades at 9 times trailing earnings, with a modest revenue growth of 1.8% in 2024, reaching 123.7billion,butcarriesasignificantdebtofnearly123.7 billion, but carries a significant debt of nearly 100 billion [7] - Comcast's payout ratio is a manageable 32% of earnings, making it a stable income investment option for dividend-centric investors [8] Group 4: Nexstar Media Group - Nexstar Media Group increased its dividend by 10%, the largest hike among the companies mentioned, resulting in a new annualized dividend of $7.44 and a yield of approximately 5% [9] - The company operates a diversified mix of media assets, reaching 220 million people, and maintains profitability with a modest payout ratio of around 44% [10] - Trading at 9 times trailing earnings, Nexstar presents an attractive option for income investors seeking a safe, high-yielding payout despite challenges in the traditional media sector [11]