Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 26
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

TJX Companies Is a Standout in Retail
Image Source: TradingView. During the second quarter, TJX Companies returned ~$1 billion to shareholders through share repurchases ($515 million) and dividends ($474 million). Total inventories as of August 2, 2025, were $7.4 billion compared to $6.5 billion at the end of the second quarter of last year. Management noted that the increased inventory position reflects “excellent buying opportunities” and that the company is “very well-positioned to flow fresh assortments to its stores and online throughout the fall and holiday season.” During the second quarter, TJX Companies generated $1.8 billion in operating cash flow and ended the quarter with $4.6 billion of cash. Looking to full year fiscal 2026, the company raised its diluted earnings per share outlook to be in the range of $4.52-$4.57, an increase of 6%-7% over last year’s mark. TJX Companies is a standout in retail, but its shares are not cheap. Shares yield 1.2% at the time of this writing.

Starbucks’ Turnaround Continues
Image Source: TradingView. During the fiscal third quarter, Starbucks opened 308 net new stores, ending the period with 41,097 stores. The company ended the quarter with 17,230 stores in the U.S. and 7,828 in China. Consolidated net revenues beat expectations in the quarter, increasing 4%, to $9.5 billion, or a 3% increase on a constant currency basis. Its non-GAAP operating margin, however, contracted 660 basis points, to 10.1%. Non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.50 declined 46% over the prior year and missed expectations. The coffee giant ended the quarter with $17.3 billion in short- and long-term debt and $4.7 billion in cash and investments. Starbucks’ global same store sales have now fallen for six consecutive quarters, but we expect improvement as the company heads into fiscal 2026. Shares yield 2.9% at the time of this writing.

Realty Income’s Dividend Remains on Solid Ground
Image Source: Realty Income. In June 2025, Realty Income announced its 111th consecutive quarterly dividend increase and its 131st increase since it was listed on the NYSE. The amount of monthly dividends paid per share increased 3.7% in the quarter, to $0.806, representing roughly 76.8% of its adjusted diluted AFFO. As of June 30, Realty Income had $5.1 billion of liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents of $800.4 million, while net debt stood at $28.5 billion. Looking to 2025, the company lowered its guidance for net income per share, but it increased the low end of AFFO per share to the range of $4.24-$4.28 from $4.22-$4.28 previously. Investment volume was increased to approximately $5 billion, up from $4 billion previously. Realty Income’s dividend remains on solid ground, and the REIT yields 5.5% at the time of this writing.

UPS May Cut Its Lofty Dividend
Image Source: TradingView. Looking to 2025, UPS is not providing full year revenue or operating profit guidance due to the current macroeconomic uncertainty. The firm is working hard to become more efficient with $3.5 billion in expected expense reductions due to its network reconfiguration and Efficiency Reimagined initiatives. That said, UPS registers a Dividend Cushion ratio of 0.4, below parity, and its lofty dividend yield of 7.8% speaks to risk of a dividend cut. We like UPS but would not be surprised if it slashes its payout in coming periods. Buyer beware.

Verizon’s Debt Load is Too High for Our Income-Oriented Preference
Image Source: TradingView. Verizon’s cash flow from operations totaled $16.8 billion in the first half of 2025, up from $16.6 billion in the same period a year ago. Free cash flow was $8.8 billion in the first half of 2025, up from $8.5 billion in the first half of 2024. Verizon’s net unsecured debt at the end of the second quarter was $116 billion, roughly 2.3 times consolidated adjusted EBITDA. For 2025, management is targeting adjusted EBITDA growth of 2.5%-3.5% and adjusted earnings per share growth of 1%-3%. Cash flow from operations is expected to be between $37-$39 billion on the year, with free cash flow of $19.5-$20.5 billion. We like Verizon but can’t get familiar with its massive debt load. Shares yield 6.3% at the time of this writing.

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 19
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Raises Guidance as It Closes its Deal for Foot Locker
Image Source: TradingView. Year-to-date, Dick’s Sporting Goods has opened three new House of Sport locations, and eight new Dick’s Field House locations. Dick’s Sporting Goods bought back $299 million in stock, while it paid $196 million in the quarter. The firm raised its full year 2025 guidance for comparable sales growth to a range of 2%-3%, up from 1%-3% previously. Dick’s Sporting Goods raised its full year 2025 guidance for earnings per diluted share to the range of $13.90-$14.50, up from $13.80-$14.40 previously. We liked the fundamental momentum in the second quarter and remain positive on the company’s decision to buy Foot Locker. Dick’s Sporting Goods remains an idea in the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio.

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 12
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

Booking Holdings Expects Mid-Teens Adjusted EBITDA Growth in 2025
Image Source: TradingView. Looking to the third quarter, Booking Holdings expects room nights growth in the range of 3.5%-5.5%, constant currency gross bookings growth of 4%-6%, constant currency revenue growth of 3%-5%, and adjusted EBITDA growth of 6%-9%. Looking to 2025, Booking Holdings expects constant currency gross bookings growth in the high-single-digits and constant currency revenue growth in the high-single-digits. Adjusted EBITDA growth for the year is targeted to expand at a mid-teens percentage pace. We continue to like Booking Holdings’ free cash flow profile, and the company remains an idea in the newsletter portfolios.