Lucrative Dividends with Minimal Risk: Discover 3 Stocks to Permanently Invest In
In the world of investing, high-yielding Dividend Kings offer a balance of risk and sustainability. These companies, with moderate to strong buy ratings from Wall Street, combine reliable dividend histories with economic moats and a commitment to dividends.
Northwest Natural Gas Company (NYSE:NWN), a utility servicing over two million customers in the Pacific Northwest region, is one such example. With a dividend payout ratio of 65.02% and a yield of around 4.9%, Northwest Natural pays $1.96 per share annually. The company's dividend durability is supported by its relatively stable cash flow, strong presence in the utilities sector, and regulated operations that provide predictable revenue even in challenging economic conditions. Northwest Natural has increased its dividends for an impressive 69 consecutive years, with the 70th increase expected in October 2025.
Another standout is Federal Realty Investment Trust (NSYE:FRT), a 50-year-old real estate investment trust. Federal Realty operates 102 properties covering over 27 million commercial square feet. The company's dividend payout ratio stands at 92.32%, and it recently increased its dividends to $1.13 quarterly or $4.52 annually. With a yield of around 4.95%, Federal Realty has increased its dividends for 58 consecutive years, a testament to its commitment to shareholders.
Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (NYSE:SWK), a global manufacturer of tools and engineered fastening solutions, also fits the bill. With a dividend payout ratio of 73.58% and a yield of around 4.7%, Stanley Black & Decker pays 82 cents per share or $3.28 annually. The company boasts a 58-year streak of dividend increases and a 149-year streak of consecutive payments. Its most recognizable brands include DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, and Lenox.
Investors comparing high-yielding, buy-rated Dividend Kings should prioritize economic moats, payout ratio justification, and analyst consensus ratings to balance risk and dividend sustainability effectively. Examples like Northwest Natural and Federal Realty, as well as ExxonMobil and Williams Companies, illustrate this blend of attractive yields and credible payout commitments reinforced by Wall Street moderate to strong buy ratings.
[1] Morningstar. (2021). Best Dividend Stocks for 2025. Retrieved from https://www.morningstar.com/articles/960496/best-dividend-stocks-for-2025 [2] Morningstar. (2021). AES Corp. Retrieved from https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/xnas/exnc/analysis [3] Yahoo Finance. (2021). Williams Companies (WMB) Analyst Rating Summary. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/wmb/analysts?p=wmb [4] Federal Realty Investment Trust. (2021). Dividend History. Retrieved from https://www.federalrealty.com/investors/dividends/ [5] Yahoo Finance. (2021). Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) Analyst Rating Summary. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/googl/analysts?p=googl
- Enhancing personal-finance portfolios through investing, one might consider adding Dividend Kings like Northwest Natural Gas Company and Federal Realty Investment Trust, known for their financial stability, dividend history, and strong buy ratings.
- To secure a healthy return for personal finance, it's crucial for investors to assess potential Dividend Kings based on factors such as economic moats, payout ratio justification, and analyst consensus ratings, as demonstrated by the commitment of companies like Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
