Key Points
✅ Three leading stocks just boosted dividends by 10% or more — all now yielding above the S&P 500 average
✅ One top financial firm hit $1 trillion AUM, raised its dividend nearly 13%, and is aggressively buying back shares
✅ A major U.S. defense contractor extended its 22-year dividend growth streak — even after recent program setbacks
✅ AlphaPulse highlights these income-friendly opportunities for dividend-focused investors
As Q1 earnings season winds down, some companies are making bold moves to reward shareholders. A standout trend? Big dividend hikes — and these aren’t token increases. Three notable companies just raised payouts by 10% or more, underscoring their long-term commitment to capital return.
Dividends, unlike buybacks, are concrete — once declared, they must be paid. In a market where consistency matters, that’s great news for income investors. Even better: all three stocks now yield more than the current S&P 500 average of 1.2% — making them attractive core portfolio candidates.
Here’s a closer look at these three dividend leaders and why they may deserve a spot on your radar — with the latest AlphaPulse insights.
📈 Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL): Fashionable Dividend Growth & Strong Buybacks
Ralph Lauren, the iconic luxury apparel brand, just delivered solid earnings and rewarded shareholders with a 10% dividend increase. The new quarterly payout is now $0.91 per share — translating to an annual yield of 1.32%.
👉 Next dividend: Payable July 11 (record date June 27)
But that’s not all — Ralph Lauren also authorized a $1.5 billion share buyback, adding to its prior $352 million remaining capacity. This gives the company firepower to repurchase up to 11.2% of its market cap — a bullish signal on management’s view of future growth.
📊 Dividend growth (3-year avg.): 16.07%
📊 Payout ratio: 31.44%
AlphaPulse Take: Steady dividend growth + aggressive buybacks = strong shareholder alignment in a tough retail market.
💰 Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH): Hitting $1 Trillion and Raising Dividends Nearly 13%
Equitable — a fast-growing financial services player in wealth management, insurance, and retirement planning — recently hit $1 trillion AUM and announced a 12.5% dividend increase.
👉 New payout: $0.27 per share
👉 Next payment: June 9 (record date June 2)
Despite a modest Q1 earnings miss, EQH’s stock is up nearly 95% over the past three years — and its 2.04% dividend yield offers income-focused investors an appealing mix of growth and yield. The company is also aggressively buying back shares — over $1 billion worth in the past year — reducing share count by 7%.
📊 Dividend growth (3-year avg.): 9.81%
📊 Payout ratio: 29.35%
AlphaPulse Take: EQH’s dividend and buyback combo is a compelling story for total return investors — especially in the financials sector.
🛡️ Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC): Resilient Dividend Growth Despite Challenges
Defense giant Northrop Grumman faced a tough Q1 — missing earnings largely due to a $477 million charge tied to its next-gen B-21 stealth bomber program. Shares dropped 13% post-earnings.
But here’s the bullish signal: NOC still announced a 12% dividend increase, extending its remarkable 22-year streak of annual payout growth.
👉 New payout: $2.31 per share
👉 Next payment: June 18 (record date June 2)
Current yield? A healthy 1.93% — not bad for a best-in-class defense contractor benefiting from strong global defense spending trends.
📊 Dividend growth (3-year avg.): 9.33%
📊 Payout ratio: 36.46%
AlphaPulse Take: Despite near-term program volatility, NOC remains a dividend growth machine — backed by long-term defense tailwinds.
🏆 Final Thoughts: Why Dividend Increases Matter More Than Ever
In today’s uncertain market, consistently rising dividends are one of the clearest signals of financial health and shareholder commitment. Unlike buybacks, they can’t be quietly paused or scaled back.
Ralph Lauren, Equitable, and Northrop Grumman are proving that strong capital return policies can weather market volatility — and their recent hikes offer both current yield and long-term income growth potential.
Whether you’re looking for defensive plays, financial growth stories, or high-quality dividend compounders, these three stocks are worth adding to your AlphaPulse Dividend Watchlist today.
Want even more dividend ideas? Check out AlphaPulse’s latest AI-powered Dividend Leaders, screening top performers across sectors and market cycles.