| Dividend King’s Military Moat Defies Recession Risks |
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| | Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2-times-weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing. | Today, we will look into Target, Coca-Cola, and BlackRock, highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching, as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days. |
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| | Consumer | Target’s 11-Week Decline Signals Risk in Reputation-Driven Retail | | Target (NYSE: TGT) reported its 11th straight week of year-over-year foot traffic declines, raising questions about the impact of its recent rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. | The traffic dip, which began shortly after the policy shift in January, marks one of the most persistent slowdowns among major U.S. retailers this year. Store visits were down 4.7% for the week starting April 7 compared to the same period last year. | Don’t miss: Inflation’s up, savings are down—register now to learn short-term income strategies that work (ad) | What makes Target’s slowdown notable is the timing. Foot traffic fell in the wake of a well-publicized change in internal policy, followed by a boycott led by church groups during Lent. | While the boycott officially ended on Easter, the traffic data suggests that recovery has been slow. | Investors watching brand-driven businesses know that consumer perception matters. For Target, this isn’t just a seasonal lull. It’s a reputational signal. A retailer that built equity on inclusion is testing how much that positioning matters when it changes course. | Target’s leadership has begun reengaging with civil rights groups. Whether that marks a strategic shift or just optics remains to be seen. For now, the message from consumers is measurable, and it’s showing up at the door. |
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| | Retail | Sustainability Spotlight Turns on Coca-Cola as Packaging Practices Come Under Scrutiny | | Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is under renewed scrutiny after a report linked the company’s packaging supply chain to plastic production tied to fracking operations in the Permian Basin. The findings were published by the environmental group Stand.earth, connect Coca-Cola and other consumer brands to ethane byproducts used in large-scale plastic manufacturing. | The issue centers on how raw materials used in packaging are sourced and what that reveals about a company’s broader sustainability posture. While Coca-Cola has pledged to use more recycled materials under its “World Without Waste” initiative, critics argue the company’s continued reliance on virgin plastic undermines those efforts. | Trending now: Crypto is changing—this strategy shows how to thrive while others panic (ad) | For investors, the implications go beyond environmental concerns. Coca-Cola’s global identity has long been built around familiarity and trust. Reputational risks—even those unrelated to product safety—can gradually shape brand perception, especially in a market where ESG performance is now part of shareholder calculations. | What’s clear is this: sustainability is no longer a soft PR line item. It’s part of how companies are evaluated, valued, and held accountable. Coca-Cola doesn’t just sell beverages. It sells packaging at scale. And when that packaging draws controversy, the conversation shifts from product to practice. | This report won’t shake the stock overnight, but it adds pressure to a long-running conversation Coca-Cola can’t afford to ignore. Investors watching the company’s ESG posture will pay attention not to the headlines but to how the company responds. |
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| | | | Asset Management | BlackRock Eyes Defense ETF to Capture Surge in European Military Spending | | BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) is preparing a Europe-focused defense ETF, aligning with a sharp rise in investor demand for more targeted exposure to military-related equities. The move would expand the firm’s defense-themed offerings beyond its global funds, meeting momentum now concentrated in Europe. | The timing is no accident. Investors have been quick to follow as European governments increase military spending in response to regional security threats. Defense-focused indices in Europe have significantly outperformed broader benchmarks this year, and capital has flowed aggressively into newly launched products from competitors. | Update: Gold just hit a record—find out why it may be your best defense today (ad) | WisdomTree’s Europe Defence ETF, launched in March, has already pulled in $1.4 billion in assets, underscoring the strong demand for this kind of exposure. BlackRock’s entry into the space isn’t about being first. It’s about precision and scale. When BlackRock moves, it typically aims to dominate category flows, not just compete for shelf space. | This isn’t about chasing trends. For BlackRock, launching a Europe defense ETF would reflect a calculated response to where the capital is moving. It’s a business decision with momentum behind it, grounded in a real shift in how investors allocate, especially in politically sensitive sectors. | BlackRock doesn’t move fast. It moves when the scale is within reach. And with European defense spending climbing and peer products already gaining traction, the firm appears ready to step in. |
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| | Dividend Stocks Worth Watching | Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J) is a diversified industrial engineering firm with $21 billion of recession-proof projects in its pipeline, including data centers, national infrastructure development, and life sciences facilities. Jacobs’ current forward yield is 1.08%. | Old Republic International (NYSE: ORI) just boosted its dividend for the 44th consecutive year, and its wide-ranging (and stable) insurance segments can shield your portfolio from wider volatility, considering its 0.75 beta. Old Republic offers a 3.05% forward yield. | American States Water (NYSE: AWR) is a Dividend King that operates water and wastewater systems across dozens of U.S. military bases, creating a nearly impenetrable moat and all but guaranteed long-term revenue prospects. Its current forward yield is 2.29%. | | Dividend Increases | | | VOC increased its dividend payout to 13 cents per share, a 52.9% rise. Its new forward yield is 20.10%. | SGU expanded its dividend payout to 18.5 cents per share, a 7.2% increase. Its new forward yield is 5.92%. | SO improved its dividend payout to 74 cents per share, an increase of 2.70%. Its new forward yield is 3.22%. |
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| Dividend Decreases | | | | | CRT lowered its dividend payout to three cents per share, a cut of 79.5%. Its new dividend yield is 9.8%. | PEO reduced its dividend payout to 52 cents per share, a cut of 1.9%. Its new dividend yield is 9.07%. | BX decreased its dividend payout to 93 cents per share, a cut of 35.4%. Its new dividend yield is 3.16%. |
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| | Upcoming Dividend Payers | BX’s ex-dividend date for its upcoming $0.93 payout is on 4/28/25. | CAG’s ex-dividend date for its upcoming $0.35 payout is on 4/28/25. | USAC’s ex-dividend date for its upcoming $0.53 payout is on 4/28/25. | | Everything Else | Home Depot is looking to capitalize on the growing (pun intended) at-home gardening market with expansive trial garden centers across the U.S. Eli Lilly is targeting telehealth providers to stop the sale of compounded weight loss treatments. Trump may target offshore wind initiatives next, putting the hurt on dividend energy stocks like Dominion Energy and GE Vernova. Activist investment firm Elliot Management is growing its stake in BP stock, which could boost the lagging energy company’s prospects. Philip Morris is maintaining its top dividend stock status after earnings surged due to strong Zyn pouch sales.
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| | That’s all for today’s edition of the Dividend Brief.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any feedback or dividend stocks you want me to take a look at, just reply to this email!
—Noah Zelvis
DividendBrief.com |
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