Dividend Policy Monitor in the S&P500

ExxonMobil Announces Dividend Increase

ExxonMobil has declared a first-quarter dividend of $0.99 per share, payable on March 10, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2025. This follows a 4% increase in the fourth-quarter dividend, marking the 42nd consecutive year of annual dividend increases. "

This announcement reflects ExxonMobil's commitment to returning value to shareholders through consistent and growing dividends, supported by strong financial performance and cash flow generation. "

Paychex, Inc. has announced that it is committed to maintaining its current dividend policy and strong balance sheet amidst its acquisition of Paycor. The company has obtained committed financing to support this transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. " "

PG&E Corporation Announces Changes in Dividend Policy

PG&E Corporation has announced the pricing of its concurrent offerings of common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock. The preferred stock will have a dividend rate of 6.000% on the liquidation preference of $50.00 per share, payable on a cumulative basis when declared by the board of directors. Dividends can be paid in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of both, starting March 1, 2025, and ending December 1, 2027. This marks a significant update in the company's dividend policy, particularly with the introduction of the mandatory convertible preferred stock " .

PG&E Corporation has announced a change in its dividend policy. On November 29, 2024, the company declared an increase in its fourth-quarter 2024 regular cash dividend to $0.025 per share, which is an increase of 0.015 cents per share. This dividend is payable on January 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, PG&E Corporation's management anticipates recommending consistent dividend increases targeting a dividend payout ratio of approximately 20% of non-GAAP core earnings per share by 2028 " .

HP Inc. Announces Dividend Increase

HP Inc. has announced a 5% increase in its planned quarterly cash dividend. This change will commence with the dividend for the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2025, resulting in a quarterly dividend of $0.2894 per share. This decision was authorized by HP's Board of Directors and reflects the company's confidence in its financial position and future prospects. The dividend is payable on January 2, 2025, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 11, 2024 " " .

Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR) has announced that it will maintain its annual dividend rate of $1.40 per common share for Fiscal 2025. The company is committed to increasing its dividend at least in line with earnings growth over time to achieve a target payout ratio of 35% to 40% " .

Apple's Q4 2024 Earnings Results

Apple has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended on September 28, 2024. Here are the key highlights:

• Revenue: Apple reported a quarterly revenue of $94.9 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the same quarter last year " .
• Earnings Per Share (EPS): The diluted earnings per share were $0.97. However, when excluding a one-time charge related to the reversal of the European General Court’s State Aid decision, the EPS was $1.64, reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase " .
• Product Launches: During the quarter, Apple launched new products, including the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4, along with new features for hearing health and sleep apnea detection " .
• Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns: The company generated nearly $27 billion in operating cash flow and returned over $29 billion to shareholders " .
• Dividend: Apple declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on November 14, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 11, 2024 " .
• Services Revenue: The services segment reached a new all-time high, contributing significantly to the overall revenue " .

Significant Trends:

• Apple's active installed base of devices reached a new all-time high across all products and geographic segments, driven by high customer satisfaction and loyalty " .
• The company continues to focus on privacy in AI with the release of Apple Intelligence features, setting a new standard in the industry " .

For more detailed financial information, Apple will provide a live stream of its Q4 2024 financial results conference call on October 31, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. PT " .

Contact Information:

• For press inquiries, contact Josh Rosenstock at jrosenstock@apple.com.
• For investor relations, contact Suhasini Chandramouli at suhasini@apple.com " .

Boeing Company Announces Changes in Dividend Policy

On October 31, 2024, Boeing Company filed a Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of Delaware, which became effective upon filing. This certificate establishes the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of the Preferred Stock. Notably, the company has decided that no dividend or distribution will be declared or paid on the common stock or any other shares of junior stock unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends for all preceding dividend periods have been declared and paid upon all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock will accumulate dividends at an annual rate of 6.00% on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, payable in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both, as declared by the board of directors on January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 each year, starting January 15, 2025, and ending October 15, 2027 " .

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (CZR) has announced a change in its dividend policy. The company has declared and paid dividends on its common stock of up to 6.0% per annum of the net proceeds received from any public offering of common stock, excluding public offerings registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution " .

TransDigm Group Announces Special Cash Dividend

On September 20, 2024, TransDigm Group Incorporated announced that its Board of Directors has authorized and declared a one-time special cash dividend of $75.00 per share on each outstanding share of common stock. Additionally, cash dividend equivalent payments will be made on options granted under its stock incentive plans. The record date for this special dividend is set for October 4, 2024, and the payment date is scheduled for October 18, 2024. This announcement was made alongside the successful completion of incremental debt funding, which includes $1.5 billion of new term loans and $1.5 billion of new Senior Secured Notes " " .

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has recently announced a significant change in its dividend policy through the issuance of a new series of preferred stock. On September 10, 2024, HPE announced the pricing of its public offering of $1.35 billion in Series C Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share. This preferred stock will pay cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 7.625% on the liquidation preference, which may be paid in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of both, subject to certain limitations. The dividends are payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, starting December 1, 2024, and ending on September 1, 2027 " " .

Kellanova Announces Dividend Policy Update

Kellanova has announced that it will continue to declare and pay quarterly dividends consistent with its historical practice prior to the closing of its transaction with Mars, Incorporated. This decision is part of the agreement under which Mars will acquire all outstanding equity of Kellanova for $83.50 per share in cash, representing a total enterprise value of $35.9 billion. The transaction is expected to close within the first half of 2025, subject to shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals " .

Baxter Announces Dividend Policy Realignment

Baxter International Inc. has announced a realignment of its dividend policy. Starting with the January 2025 dividend payment, the rate will be adjusted to align with the company's new financial profile following the divestiture of its Kidney Care segment. This change is part of Baxter's broader strategic transformation aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and innovation " .

Apple's Q3 2024 Earnings Results

Apple has announced its financial results for the fiscal third quarter of 2024, which ended on June 29, 2024. Here are the key highlights:

• Revenue: Apple reported a quarterly revenue of $85.8 billion, marking a 5% increase year-over-year. This sets a new record for June quarter revenue " .

• Earnings Per Share (EPS): The company achieved a quarterly earnings per diluted share of $1.40, which is an 11% increase compared to the same period last year " .

• Services Revenue: The services segment reached a new all-time high, contributing significantly to the overall revenue growth " .

• Operating Cash Flow: Apple generated nearly $29 billion in operating cash flow during the quarter, which facilitated the return of over $32 billion to shareholders " .

• Dividend: Apple's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on August 15, 2024, to shareholders of record as of August 12, 2024 " .

• Geographic Performance: The installed base of active devices reached a new all-time high across all geographic segments, driven by high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty " .

• Product and Segment Sales: The net sales for products were $61.564 billion, while services brought in $24.213 billion. The Americas region led with $37.678 billion in sales, followed by Europe with $21.884 billion " .

These results reflect Apple's strong performance and strategic focus on expanding its services and maintaining high customer satisfaction across its product lines.

Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL) has announced a significant change in its dividend policy. The Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, of $0.67 per share, which represents a 10% increase from the prior quarter. This dividend will be paid on August 21, 2024, to stockholders of record as of August 12, 2024. This marks the company's 213th consecutive quarterly cash dividend " .

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend Policy Change

On July 3, 2024, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced the adoption of a limited-duration Shareholder Rights Plan. The Board of Directors declared a dividend of one right for each issued and outstanding share of common stock. This dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2024. The Rights Plan is designed to deter the acquisition of actual, de facto, or negative control of Southwest Airlines by any person or group without appropriately compensating its shareholders for that control. The rights will initially trade with Southwest Airlines common stock and will generally become exercisable only if any person or group acquires 12.5% or more of the company’s outstanding common stock " " " .**

WM Announces Temporary Suspension of Share Repurchases

WM has announced a temporary suspension of share repurchases. This decision is part of the company's strategy to maintain a strong balance sheet and solid investment grade credit profile. The suspension is expected to help WM achieve a leverage ratio within its targeted net debt-to-EBITDA range of 2.75x to 3.0x approximately 18 months after closing the transaction " .

ConocoPhillips to increase its ordinary base dividend by 34% starting in Q4 2024

ConocoPhillips has announced a significant change in its dividend policy. The company plans to increase its ordinary base dividend by 34%, raising it to 78 cents per share starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase is independent of the ongoing transaction with Marathon Oil Corporation " " .

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend Increase

ConocoPhillips has announced a significant change in its dividend policy. The company plans to increase its ordinary base dividend by 34% to 78 cents per share starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase is independent of the company's recent transaction with Marathon Oil Corporation " " .

Details of the Dividend Policy Change:

• Dividend Increase: The ordinary base dividend will be raised by 34%, reaching 78 cents per share in Q4 2024 " " .
• Share Repurchase Program: ConocoPhillips also plans to repurchase over $7 billion in shares in the first full year following the transaction, and over $20 billion in shares within the first three years " " .
• Commitment to Shareholders: The company remains committed to returning greater than 30% of its cash from operations to shareholders, with a track record of returning over 40% since its 2016 strategy reset " " .

This announcement reflects ConocoPhillips' ongoing commitment to providing substantial returns to its shareholders through both dividends and share repurchases.

Apple's Earnings Results for Q2 2024

Apple has released its financial results for the second fiscal quarter of 2024, which ended on March 30, 2024. Here are the key highlights:

• Revenue: Apple reported a quarterly revenue of $90.8 billion, which is a 4% decrease compared to the same quarter last year " .
• Earnings Per Share (EPS): The company achieved a record EPS for the March quarter at $1.53 per diluted share " .
• Services Revenue: Apple set an all-time revenue record in its Services segment, contributing significantly to its overall financial performance " .
• Share Repurchase and Dividend: The Board has authorized an additional $110 billion for share repurchases and increased the quarterly dividend by 4% to $0.25 per share, marking the twelfth consecutive year of dividend increases " .
• Product Launches and Future Plans: During the quarter, Apple launched the Apple Vision Pro and is planning an exciting product announcement next week, along with the Worldwide Developers Conference next month " .

Significant Trends:

• Installed Base Growth: Apple's active installed base of devices reached a new all-time high across all products and geographic segments, driven by high customer satisfaction and loyalty " .
• Geographic Sales: The Americas remained the largest market with $37.3 billion in sales, followed by Europe and Greater China " .
• Product Category Performance: iPhone sales were $45.96 billion, while Services revenue was $23.87 billion, highlighting the growing importance of Apple's services ecosystem " .

Apple will host a live streaming of its Q2 2024 financial results conference call on May 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. PT, which will be available for replay for approximately two weeks " .

For more detailed financial data, you can visit Apple's investor relations website " .

FirstEnergy Corp. Announces Dividend Policy Update

On March 25, 2024, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced a significant change in its dividend policy. The company has decided to increase its quarterly dividend by 5%, reflecting its strong financial performance and commitment to returning value to shareholders. This marks the first dividend increase since 2021 and demonstrates the company's confidence in its future cash flow and earnings growth " .

Details of the Dividend Change:

• New Quarterly Dividend: $0.42 per share
• Previous Quarterly Dividend: $0.40 per share
• Effective Date: The new dividend will be payable on June 1, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2024.

FirstEnergy's President and CEO, Brian X. Tierney, stated, "This dividend increase reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering value to our shareholders and our confidence in the company's financial strength and future growth prospects." "

For more information, visit FirstEnergy's website at www.firstenergycorp.com or follow them on X (formerly known as Twitter) @FirstEnergyCorp.

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Albemarle Corporation (ALB) has announced a significant change in its dividend policy related to its new Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

• Dividend Policy: Dividends on the Preferred Stock will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by Albemarle’s board of directors at an annual rate of 7.25% on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Preferred Stock (or $50 per Depositary Share). Albemarle may pay declared dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Common Stock or in any combination of cash and Common Stock on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2024, and ending on March 1, 2027 " " .

• Conversion Details: Each share of the Preferred Stock will automatically convert on or around March 1, 2027, into between 7.6180 and 9.1400 shares of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The conversion rate will be determined based on the volume-weighted average price of the Common Stock over a specified period " " .

• Market Listing: Albemarle has applied to list the Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ALB PR A” " .

This announcement reflects Albemarle's strategic financial planning and offers investors a structured dividend and conversion plan over the next few years.**

Discover Financial Services (DFS) and Capital One Financial Corporation Announce Merger Agreement

On February 19, 2024, Discover Financial Services (DFS) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Capital One Financial Corporation and Vega Merger Sub, Inc. The merger agreement outlines that Vega Merger Sub will merge with and into Discover, with Discover continuing as the surviving corporation. Immediately following this merger, Discover will merge with and into Capital One, with Capital One continuing as the surviving corporation. Additionally, Discover Bank will merge with and into Capital One, National Association, Capital One's wholly-owned national bank subsidiary " .

Dividend Policy Coordination

As part of the merger agreement, Discover and Capital One have agreed to coordinate the declaration of any dividends in respect of their common stocks to ensure that holders of Discover Common Stock do not receive two dividends or fail to receive one dividend in any quarter with respect to their shares of Discover Common Stock and any shares of Capital One Common Stock received in exchange " .

Dividend Rates

The agreement specifies that Discover may continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends at a rate not exceeding $0.700 per share of Discover Common Stock " .

Conversion of Equity Awards

At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding Discover restricted stock unit award will be converted into a corresponding award with respect to Capital One Common Stock, adjusted based on the exchange ratio. Each outstanding Discover performance stock unit award will be converted into a cash-based award, with the number of shares determined based on performance and the exchange ratio " .

Effective Dates and Conditions

The merger is subject to various conditions, including regulatory approvals and the approval of the stockholders of both Discover and Capital One. The effective time of the merger will be determined upon the fulfillment of these conditions " .

Diamondback Energy, Inc. has announced a 7% increase in its base dividend to $3.60 per share annually, which equates to $0.90 per share quarterly. This change is effective for the fourth quarter of 2023 " .

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (CZR) has announced changes in its dividend policy. The company has declared and paid dividends on its common stock up to 6.0% per annum of the net proceeds received from any public offering of common stock, excluding public offerings registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution " .

Realty Income Corporation Announces Dividend Policy Changes

Realty Income Corporation has announced the classification and designation of 6,900,000 shares of its authorized capital stock as Realty Income Series A Preferred Stock. Holders of these shares are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.000% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share, equivalent to an annual rate of $1.50 per share. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of March, June, September, and December of each year, beginning on March 29, 2024. Dividends will accrue and be cumulative from and including January 1, 2024 " .**

Kimco Realty has announced a change in its dividend policy following the completion of its acquisition of RPT Realty. As part of the merger agreement, Kimco's Board of Directors declared a 'stub period' cash dividend for the Kimco Class N Preferred Stock. This dividend amounts to $0.14097 per depositary share and is payable on January 16, 2024, to shareholders of record on January 5, 2024. This stub dividend reflects the regular quarterly dividend for the period from January 1, 2024, to January 15, 2024 " .

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) has announced an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend per share by $0.04, raising it to $0.22. This change will take effect beginning with the February 2024 declaration. This decision aligns with the company's shareholder return priorities and follows the acquisition of CrownRock's assets, which is expected to generate immediate free cash flow accretion and support the dividend increase " " " .

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) has announced a significant change in its dividend policy. On December 5, 2023, the company completed the sale and issuance of 2,315,105 shares of Common Stock, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $582.9 million. This move is part of a broader financial strategy, although specific details on dividend changes were not disclosed in the announcement " .

General Motors (GM) Announces Dividend Increase

On November 29, 2023, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced a significant change in its dividend policy. The company plans to increase its common stock dividend by 33%, starting with the January 2024 declaration. This increase will raise the quarterly dividend by $0.03 per share, beginning in the first quarter of 2024 " " " .

Additionally, GM has announced a $10 billion accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program, which will commence immediately. The ASR program is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2024 " " .

**Key Details: **

• Dividend Increase: 33% increase in common stock dividend starting January 2024.
• Quarterly Dividend: Increase by $0.03 per share, beginning in Q1 2024.
• ASR Program: $10 billion accelerated share repurchase program to be executed by Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Citibank " " .

For more information, you can visit GM's official website " .

NRG Energy Announces Dividend Increase

NRG Energy has announced an 8% increase in its annual common dividend, raising it to $1.63 per share. This increase is consistent with the company's long-term growth target of 7-9% " .

Realty Income Announces No Change to Dividend Policy Following Merger with Spirit Realty Capital

Realty Income Corporation has announced that it does not intend to change its regular dividend as a result of its merger with Spirit Realty Capital. Realty Income remains committed to its longstanding track record of delivering consistent monthly dividends and quarterly dividend increases to its shareholders " .

Chevron Corporation (CVX) has announced a significant change in its dividend policy. The company has coordinated its quarterly dividend payments with Hess Corporation to ensure that shareholders do not receive double dividends or miss any dividends during the merger process. Specifically, Chevron has committed to declaring and recording quarterly dividends no later than five business days following the one-year anniversary of the corresponding quarter of the previous year. This coordination is part of the merger agreement between Chevron and Hess " .