| | Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2 times weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing. | Today, we will look into Target, Motorola, and Google, 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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| | AI | | | AI is the new Bitcoin—a transformative opportunity you can’t afford to miss. | Just as Bitcoin turned early believers into millionaires, artificial intelligence is set to define the next era of wealth creation. From revolutionizing industries to reshaping how businesses operate, AI is more than a trend—it’s the future. | We’ve pinpointed 10 AI stocks poised to dominate in 2025. These companies aren’t just riding the wave; they’re leading the charge, harnessing AI to transform sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. | (By clicking the link above, you will get this free report and a free subscription to MarketBeat's daily email newsletter. You are also agreeing to the terms of our privacy policy. Unsubscribe at any time.) | Don’t be the one looking back and saying, “I wish I had invested early.” This is your chance to get ahead of a movement that could rival the Bitcoin boom. | Click here to uncover the 10 AI stocks primed for explosive growth. | (By clicking the link above, you will get this free report and a free subscription to MarketBeat's daily email newsletter. You are also agreeing to the terms of our privacy policy. Unsubscribe at any time.) |
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| | Retail | Target Raises Holiday Sales Forecast as Promotions Drive Growth | | Target has updated its holiday-quarter forecast, citing stronger-than-expected sales of clothing, toys, and beauty products in November and December. Record-breaking performance on Black Friday and Cyber Monday drove the retailer to raise its comparable sales growth outlook to 1.5% for the quarter ending in January. However, concerns about profit margins have kept the company’s earnings per share expectations unchanged. | Promotional strategies, including increased advertising on streaming platforms and widespread discounts, played a significant role in attracting shoppers. The retailer offered competitive deals across various categories, boosting traffic to its stores and website. Target also saw notable growth in non-essential purchases, including apparel and toys, signaling a shift from earlier quarters when warm weather impacted winter clothing sales. | Despite the positive sales performance, analysts highlighted the potential impact of prior inventory adjustments and discounting on Target’s profit margins. Additionally, the company announced leadership changes, including promotions within store operations and digital strategy roles, as part of its ongoing efforts to refine operations. | Target’s holiday success contrasts with some rivals that issued less optimistic outlooks, underscoring the effectiveness of its marketing and exclusive product offerings. As the retailer moves forward, it aims to maintain momentum and navigate ongoing margin challenges. | TGT currently trades at $133 and pays a dividend of $1.12 per share, a yield of 3.46%. |
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| | Smartphones | Motorola Unveils 2025 Moto G Line with Enhanced Durability Features | | Motorola has introduced updates to its Moto G line for 2025, featuring refreshed models of the Moto G and Moto G Power. The Moto G Power stands out with an impressive IP69 water-resistance rating, offering protection from both water submersion and high-pressure water jets, along with dust resistance. This level of protection, typically found in rugged phones, is now available at a more affordable price of $299.99. | The Moto G Power is also MIL-STD-810H certified, which ensures durability in harsh environments. The phone has been tested to withstand drops from nearly four feet, extreme temperature fluctuations, and high humidity. Despite these tough features, the G Power remains slim at under 9mm thick, boasting a large 6.8-inch display, a 5,000mAh battery, and wireless charging capabilities. | The Moto G model, priced at $199.99, offers a slightly smaller 6.7-inch display and IP52 protection but shares the same MediaTek chipset and 50-megapixel rear camera as the G Power. The G model is ideal for those seeking a budget-friendly option without the extra durability features. | Both models will be available starting January 30th for the Moto G and February 6th for the Moto G Power, through various online retailers and carriers. The key to their success will depend on how well Motorola has addressed past concerns with bloatware. | MSI currently trades at $464 and pays a dividend of $1.09 per share, a yield of 0.94%. |
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| | Technology | | | The Magnificent Seven—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, and Tesla—have redefined market leadership. | But as their record-breaking growth slows, the focus shifts to the next generation of industry leaders. | Analysts have identified seven global companies with the potential to rise above the rest in 2025. | These stocks are poised to surge, fueled by growing market share, robust cash flows, and innovative strategies that set them apart from the competition. | (By clicking the link above, you will get this free report and a free subscription to MarketBeat's daily email newsletter. You are also agreeing to the terms of our privacy policy. Unsubscribe at any time.) | Position yourself to capture the next wave of market-defining opportunities. | Click here to uncover the “7 Stocks That Will Be Magnificent in 2025” before the market catches on. | (By clicking the link above, you will get this free report and a free subscription to MarketBeat's daily email newsletter. You are also agreeing to the terms of our privacy policy. Unsubscribe at any time.) |
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| | Artificial Intelligence | Google Makes AI Features Free for All Workspace Users | | Google has made a significant move by offering all of its AI features in its Workspace suite—including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet, and more—at no additional charge. Previously, users had to subscribe to the Gemini Business plan for $20 per user per month to access these features. Now, the AI capabilities are included as part of the standard Workspace subscription, though the company has slightly raised the price for all Workspace plans. | The increase is modest—around $2 more per user per month—but it allows users to take advantage of AI tools such as email summaries in Gmail, automated meeting notes, spreadsheet design suggestions, and the powerful NotebookLM research assistant. One of the standout additions is access to Google's Gemini bot, which offers advanced search capabilities and can assist with finding information across your documents and files. | While some companies might have hesitated due to the cost of integrating AI into their workflows, this change lowers the barrier to entry. Google’s push to make AI accessible to all Workspace users signals a broader trend in the industry, as competitors like Microsoft are also rolling out AI features at no extra charge. Both companies are betting that the widespread use of these tools will drive value and attract more users. | GOOG currently trades at $197 and pays a dividend of 20 cents per share, a yield of 0.41%. |
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| | Dividend Stocks Worth Watching | Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has a slew of stable product lines and brand loyalty alongside global reach. Each of these initiatives supports its healthy 2.28% dividend yield. | Caterpillar (CAT) is a leader in heavy machinery used in construction, energy, and mining operations. It hands out a 1.50% dividend yield to shareholders, in part thanks to the high demand in each niche. | McDonald’s (MCD) has a hard-to-top franchising model that’s been working for more than 80 years. Along with its signature burgers and fries comes a 2.55% yield investors can bite into. | | Dividend Increases | | | STAG increased its dividend payout to 12.4 cents per share, an increase of 0.7%. Its new forward yield is 4.6%.
SNX boosted its dividend payout to 44 cents per share, an increase of 10%. Its new forward yield is 1.3%.
PCAR grew its dividend payout to 33 cents per share, an increase of 10%. Its new forward yield is 1.0%. |
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| Dividend Decreases | | | | | BSBR decreased its dividend payout to 6.6 cents per share, a cut of 7.6%. Its new dividend yield is 5.1%.
USA dropped its dividend payout to 17 cents per share, a cut of 5.5%. Its new dividend yield is 9.59%.
AATC shrunk its dividend payout to $1.05 per share, a cut of 20%. Its new dividend yield is 6.85%. |
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| | | | Upcoming Dividend Payers | DG is going to pay 59 cents per share to all shareholders of record on 1/21/25
OZK is going to pay 42 cents per share to all shareholders of record on 1/21/25
GNTX is going to pay 12 cents per share to all shareholders of record on 1/22/25 | | Everything Else | JPMorgan Chase increased its quarterly dividend to $1.25 per share, continuing its strong commitment to shareholders. Verizon marked its 17th consecutive year of dividend increases, now paying 66.50 cents per share quarterly. Eli Lilly announced a 15% boost in its quarterly dividend to $1.30 per share, reinforcing its strong financial performance. Kimberly-Clark highlighted its 58-year streak of dividend growth, showcasing its stability in the consumer goods sector. Disney increased its annual dividend by 33% to $1 per share, benefiting from its streaming success and popular franchises.
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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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