Wendy’s/Arby’s (WEN) Posts Mixed Q3 Results; Guides FY10 Comps; Q3 Comps Down 1.7%; Increases Quarterly Dividend 33%; Authorizes Addt'l $170M Common Buyback

Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) reports Q3 EPS of $0.05, 1 cent better than the consensus of $0.04. Revenue for the quarter came in at $861.2 million, compared to the consensus of $881.92 million. Systemwide comps down 1.7%. The Company announced today that the Board of Directors has authorized an additional $170 million for its common stock repurchase program. In addition, the program expiration date has been extended from January 2, 2011 to January 1, 2012. This $170 million authorization, along with the $80 million that the Company had authorized and available as of November 2, 2010, brings the total amount authorized and available to $250 million. The Company announced the declaration of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share, a 33% increase,... more

DR Horton (DHI) Tops Q3 Loss Views by 1c, Declares Dividend

DR Horton (NYSE: DHI) reports Q3 loss of $0.03, 1 cents better than the consensus of ($0.04). Revenue for the quarter came in at $925.7 million, compared to the consensus of $850.86 million. Donald R. Horton, Chairman of the Board, said, “As we expected, market conditions in the homebuilding industry have been even more challenging after the expiration of the tax credit at the end of April. We will continue to focus on providing affordable homes, controlling our costs and contracting for new communities with attractively priced finished lots." The Company has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0375 per share. The dividend is payable on December 8, 2010 to stockholders of record on November 24, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 22, 2010. The dividend yield is 1.3%.... more

15 Stocks That Can't Stop Raising Their Dividends

What a difference a year can make. In 2009, it seemed like companies would never stop cutting their dividends. In 2010, stocks are falling over themselves to increase their dividends. We have already seen 194 stocks in the S&P 500 increase their dividend this year and 10 companies have initiated dividend programs in 2010. That’s the most we’ve seen since 2005. Last year at this time we had seen 68 companies reduce their dividends, but so far this year only 3 have cut their dividend. While there are a few stocks like Capstead Mortgage that can’t seem to stop cutting their dividends, here are 15 stocks that can’t stop raising their dividends in 2010. Airgas (ARG)22% increase in January14% increase in July Altria (MO)3% increase in February9% increase in August American Electric... more

Eaton Vance: Dividend Stock Analysis

Eaton Vance Corp. (EV) , through its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, marketing, and management of investment funds in the United States. This dividend champion has increased distributions for the past 30 consecutive years. The latest dividend increase was in October 2010, when the company raised distributions by 12.50% to 18 cents/share. Over the past decade this dividend growth stock has delivered annualized total returns of 10.80 % to its shareholders.The company has managed to deliver a 3.50% average annual increase in its EPS between 2000 and 2009. Analysts expect Eaton Vance to earn $1.39 per share in 2010 and $1.76/share in 2011.Overall I am bullish on asset managers in the long run, and Eaton Vance fits by default. As we have millions of baby boomers retiring and needing... more

13 Dividend Stocks Providing a Growing Income

How much money will you need for retirement? This a very difficult question to answer. There are many factors and assumptions that go into estimating the income that will be needed in retirement. However, one certainty is that if you only invest in fixed income instruments, you will need more than if your investments provide you a growing income.... more

Knight Transportation (KNX) Approves Special Cash Dividend; CEO Comments On Outlook

Knight Transportation, Inc. (NYSE: KNX) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share of common stock. Knight's Board of Directors has also declared a special cash dividend of $0.75 per share of common stock. Both dividends are payable to shareholders of record on December 3, 2010 and is expected to be paid on December 23, 2010. Chairman and CEO, Kevin Knight, commented: “...Over the past several months we have expanded our tractor capacity as freight volumes have improved and have invested in maintaining a relatively new tractor fleet. At year end, we expect cash and cash equivalents of approximately $20 million to $30 million, zero debt, and ample sources of liquidity to pursue market opportunities." “Looking ahead, to 2011, we intend to grow each of our six... more

How Long Will Tiffany's Dividends Last?

Whether you're a beginning investor or a near-retiree, the importance of purchasing stocks that pay dividends cannot be overstated. Not only do companies that have quarterly or annual payouts provide you with a steady stream of income, they also have the potential for capital appreciation. Simply put, dividend stocks can you give your portfolio what almost no other investment can -- both income and growth. At The Motley Fool, we're avid fans of dividends -- and not just because we like that steady stream of cash. Studies have shown that from 1972 to 2006, stocks in the S&P 500 that don't pay dividends have earned an average annual return of 4.1%; dividend stocks, however, have averaged a whopping 10.1% per year. That is an incredible difference -- one that you'd be crazy to not take... more

How Long Can These Dividends Last?

Whether you're a beginning investor or a near-retiree, we can't overstate the importance of purchasing dividend-paying stocks. Companies with quarterly or annual payouts not only provide a steady stream of income, but also have the potential for capital appreciation -- a rare and valuable combination. At The Motley Fool, we're avid fans of dividends -- and not just because we like that steady stream of cash. Studies have shown that from 1972 to 2006, non-dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500 have earned an average annual return of 4.1%; dividend stocks, however, have averaged a whopping 10.1% per year. You'd be crazy not to take advantage of that incredible difference!... more

The Most Undervalued Dividend Champions

Savvy investing is all about value, at least according to Jim Cullen, president of Schafer Cullen Capital Management, in an interview with the FT. In his four-plus decades of industry experience, he's seen countless growth bubbles blow up in investors' faces. In the end, it's the slow and steady, fairly priced stocks that almost always win the race. And for Cullen, dividend yield is a major part of the valuation equation. Case in point: Say you $1000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1957. With dividends reinvested, this would have yielded you a $149,598 by 2009. If that same starting amount had instead been invested in the 20% of stocks with the lowest dividend yields, it would only have resulted in a measly $60,586; but $1000 invested in the 20% of stocks with the highest dividend yields... more

The Most Profitable Dividend Champions

It's tempting to think of a company's past performance as a reliable barometer of its future. By that logic, a firm that's raised its dividends for more than 25 years should arguably continue to do so. Which is why there's always a great deal of interest around DrIP's annual list of dividend champions, somewhere around 100 companies that consistently increased dividends over the past 25 consecutive years. Considering all the hits the market have taken these past few decades, it's a pretty impressive feat, inspiring a fair amount of confidence that the trend will only continue. But beware of putting too much stock in antiquity -- past performance is no guarantee of future results.... more