A Real Estate Investment Trust Boosts Dividend Payout by 4.7%

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Today we will look into Altria Group, Conoco Phillips and Duke Energy highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

Tobacco

Altria Advances Smoke-Free Goals with Fresh Rollout Plans and Regulatory Prep

Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) strengthens its position in the tobacco industry by pushing forward with new products. The company is preparing to launch Plume, a heated tobacco option, aiming to meet shifting consumer demands in the U.S. nicotine market.

Responding to challenges from illegal e-vapor products, Altria adjusts its smoke-free strategy. Executives highlight efforts to tackle this growing issue, which disrupts the legal market. The company refines its approach, balancing traditional offerings with emerging alternatives.

Following a robust performance in the fourth quarter of 2024, Altria has exceeded revenue expectations, showcasing its resilience and strategic adaptability in the face of ongoing regulatory challenges.  

Altria has announced a new share repurchase program aimed at enhancing shareholder value. Additionally, the company is set to issue debt securities, which will provide essential capital to support its various ongoing projects and innovations, reinforcing its commitment to long-term development and market competitiveness.

Altria expresses confidence in potential regulatory changes under the new U.S. administration. Leaders see an opening to shape policies that favor legal nicotine products. The company continues developing Plume and other innovations to stay competitive in a fast-changing industry.

Oil & Gas

ConocoPhillips Targets $1 Billion from Oklahoma Asset Sale

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) has started exploring the sale of oil and gas assets in Oklahoma, which is linked to its recent Marathon Oil acquisition. The assets, which span around 300,000 net acres in the Anadarko Basin, produce a mix of oil and natural gas.

Executives have brought in Moelis & Co. to manage the potential sale process. Early-stage discussions are underway, and the company has not finalized any transaction. The sale could contribute to ConocoPhillips’ broader effort to divest non-core holdings and refocus capital toward high-priority operations.

Efforts to streamline the company’s expanded portfolio have resulted in more than $1 billion in asset sales since the Marathon deal closed. The Anadarko assets inherited through that acquisition are now being reviewed as part of the next phase of divestitures.

Operations in the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Bakken basins remain central to ConocoPhillips’ long-term strategy. The Marathon purchase strengthened its footprint across these areas and added international exposure in Equatorial Guinea.

Buyers in the U.S. natural gas sector may show interest in the Anadarko acreage, especially those aligned with growing demand from industries like power generation. Internal targets include raising $2 billion from asset sales, with this move forming part of that initiative.

Energy producers across the region continue to evaluate asset alignment post-mergers. ConocoPhillips aims to maintain a lean, productive portfolio while managing debt obligations tied to the Marathon acquisition.

Pending shareholder and regulatory steps, the company expects to progress with additional portfolio adjustments in the months ahead.

Uranium Advantage (Sponsored)

On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp

Fueling the Future of Nuclear Energy

Ninety percent of America’s uranium is imported. With the US scrambling to rebuild domestic supply, Canadian uranium companies are in prime position.

One small-cap stock could be set to benefit.

*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.

Energy

Duke Energy Secures 20-Year Extension for Oconee Nuclear Plant

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) received federal approval to extend operations at its Oconee Nuclear Station in South Carolina for an additional 20 years. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the renewal, allowing the plant to continue running through 2053 and 2054.

Regulators approved the extension following a review of Oconee’s infrastructure, safety protocols, and compliance standards. The plant initially secured a license to operate for up to 60 years. With this latest approval, it becomes the first in Duke Energy’s fleet to receive authorization for up to 80 years of operation.

Oconee remains one of the largest nuclear plants in the United States and plays a major role in supporting Duke Energy’s generation mix. The extension reflects the company’s long-term commitment to nuclear energy as part of its power supply strategy.

Duke Energy operates multiple nuclear facilities across the Southeast. Each plant has already received its initial license extension to reach 60 years of service. The company plans to seek similar extensions for other sites, including the Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, South Carolina.

Operations at Oconee will continue under current staffing and safety standards. The facility contributes significantly to Duke Energy’s ability to supply carbon-free electricity to customers across its service areas. 

All regulatory procedures have concluded, allowing the company to proceed with its next phase of plant operations.

UMH grew its dividend payout to 22.5 cents per share, an increase of 4.7%. Its new forward yield is 4.82%.

OZK expanded its dividend payout to 42.5 cents per share, an increase of 13.3%. Its new forward yield is 3.96%. 

TJX improved its dividend payout to 17.5 cents per share, an increase of 0.6%. Its new forward yield is 1.4%. 

SY lowered its dividend payout to two cents per share, a cut of 70%. Its new dividend yield is 2.85%.

GNL reduced its dividend payout to 19 cents per share, a cut of 31%. Its new dividend yield is 9.5%.

SMTGY decreased its dividend payout to $1.41 per share, a cut of 56%. Its new dividend yield is 4.01%.

Clean Energy Metals (Sponsored)

On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp

America’s Uranium Crisis = A Massive Opportunity

Ninety percent of America’s uranium is imported. With the US scrambling to rebuild domestic supply, Canadian uranium companies are in prime position.

One small-cap stock could be set to benefit.

*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.

Everything Else

• LPL Financial plans to buy wealth management firm Commonwealth Financial Network for $2.7 billion.

• Domino’s Pizza added DoorDash to its delivery order vendor list, with plans to fully integrate the food delivery app in May 2025.

• Major corporate players are keeping cash on the sidelines to address tariff contingencies, possibly impacting future buyback and dividend distribution planning.

• SmartStop Self-Storage REIT debuted today, raising $810 million upon market opening.

• Costco and BJ’s are offering discounted member rates to new customers, aiming to increase market share as Americans pinch pennies.