ADM Stock Reports Earnings and Raises Dividend
Most people have never heard of Archer Daniels Midland Co (NYSE:ADM). But when it comes to returning cash to investors, few companies can match the track record this Chicago-based agricultural processor.
On Tuesday, February 6, Archer Daniels Midland Co announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 4.7% increase to its quarterly dividend rate to $0.335 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 13, 2018 to shareholders of record on February 20. (Source: “AMD Directors Vote to Increase Cash Dividend,” Archer Daniels Midland Co, February 6, 2018.)
This marked the 42nd consecutive year in which the company has raised its dividend. Moreover, Archer Daniels Midland has been paying uninterrupted dividends for 86 years. (Source: “Dividend & Split History,” Archer Daniels Midland Co, last accessed February 6, 2018.)
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In other words, ADM stock is a Dividend Aristocrat—a title awarded to companies with at least 25 consecutive years of annual dividend increases.
The latest dividend hike was backed by a growing business. ADM also reported earnings on Tuesday. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the company generated adjusted earnings of $0.82 per share, representing a 9.3% increase from a year ago. (Source: “ADM Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings of $1.39 per Share, $0.82 per Share on an Adjusted Basis,” Archer Daniels Midland Co, February 6, 2018.)
Investors liked the news. On Tuesday, shares of Archer Daniels Midland Co surged 3.42%.
Trading at $42.00 apiece, ADM stock offers an annual dividend yield of 3.19%.