Kroger also manufactures and processes food products for sale in its supermarkets and online, and it sells fuel through 1,613 fuel centers. As of January 29, 2022, the company operated 2,726 supermarkets under various banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Holders of Kroger stock receive a 2.25% dividend. The dividend is expected to increase to $0.28 per share from $0.26.
The BofA Securities target price is $75. The consensus target is a much lower $52.13, and Monday’s close was at $46.38.
W.R. Berkley
This old-school insurance giant is an incredibly smart idea for growth investors now. W.R Berkley Corp. (NYSE: WRB) operates as a commercial lines writer in the United States and internationally through the following two segments.
The Insurance segment underwrites commercial insurance business, including premises operations, commercial automobile, property, products liability and general and professional liability lines. It also provides workers’ compensation insurance products; accident and health insurance and reinsurance products; insurance for commercial risks; casualty and specialty environmental products for contractors, consultants and property owners and facilities operators; specialized insurance coverages for fine arts and jewelry exposures; umbrella and excess liability coverage products; and liquor liability and inland marine coverage for small to medium-sized insureds.
In addition, this segment offers commercial general liability, umbrella, professional liability, directors and officers, commercial property and surety products, as well as products for technology and life sciences and travel industries; cyber risk solutions; casualty, group life and crime and fidelity related insurance products; personal lines insurance solutions, including home, condo/co-op, auto and collectibles; automobile, law enforcement, public officials and educator’s legal and employment practices liability, as well as incidental medical and property and crime insurance products; and at-risk and alternative risk insurance program management services.
The Reinsurance & Monoline Excess segment provides other insurance companies and self-insureds with assistance in managing their net risk through reinsurance on a portfolio basis through treaty reinsurance or on an individual basis through facultative reinsurance.
The current yield is 0.70%, but the $0.10 per share dividend is expected to rise to $0.12.
The $84 BofA Securities target price is well above the consensus target of $75.55 and the most recent close at $57.15.
Three top companies with stocks rated Buy across Wall Street are expected to lift the dividends they pay to shareholders. Not only is increasing dividends and returning capital to investors important, but it also shows that the company is doing well and has the earnings and cash flow strength to increase the payouts.
Originally published at 24/7 Wall St.
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