Food Company Adds Flavor to Dividend

Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2 times weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing.

Today, we will look into Citigroup, Intel, and Qualcomm, highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching, as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

Finance

Citi Advances Banamex Restructuring with IPO Preparation

Citigroup has finalized the separation of Banamex from its institutional banking operations in Mexico, advancing plans to list the retail banking unit. This decision aligns with Citi's broader initiative to streamline its operations and enhance financial performance under its ongoing restructuring strategy.

The spin-off positions Banamex for an anticipated initial public offering, with the timeline subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals. The bank is exploring a dual listing option, potentially on stock exchanges in Mexico City and New York. Banamex, which serves a substantial customer base in Mexico through its extensive branch network, remains a critical component of Citi's operations in the region.

The decision to pursue an IPO followed the collapse of a proposed sale of Banamex to Grupo Mexico, reportedly valued at several billion dollars. This change in strategy underscores Citi's focus on maintaining a presence in Mexico while realigning its global priorities.

In recent years, Citi has exited consumer banking operations in multiple markets, including parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The bank has also nearly completed its wind-downs in China, Korea, and Russia, demonstrating its commitment to reshaping its global footprint to align with its long-term objectives.

C currently trades at $71 and pays a dividend of 56 cents per share, a yield of 3.14%.

Technology

A groundbreaking company is reshaping the $1 trillion smartphone market, turning phones from a monthly expense into a source of income.

With 32,481% revenue growth from 2019 to 2022, it’s no surprise this company ranked as the #1 fastest-growing software business on Deloitte’s prestigious list.

Now, their pre-IPO offering is live at just $0.26/share, following a previous round that saw over 20,000 investors participate.

This is your chance to join before the window closes and even lock in 100% bonus shares.

*This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com.

Tech

Intel Announces CEO Retirement and Leadership Restructure to Navigate Challenges

Intel recently announced a major leadership change with CEO Pat Gelsinger retiring, effective December 1. Co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus will take on the leadership role. Along with his retirement, Gelsinger will also step down from Intel's board of directors.

This shift comes at a critical time as Intel navigates the increasingly competitive semiconductor market. Zinsner, who joined Intel in 2022 from Micron, brings a wealth of experience, while Holthaus, who has held various leadership roles at Intel, will focus on leading the company’s product division. Together, they are expected to guide Intel through a period of transformation and innovation.

Intel has faced challenges in recent years, particularly in competing with rivals in AI and semiconductor manufacturing. The company is working to streamline its operations through a significant cost reduction plan while focusing on regaining its leadership in manufacturing. The new leadership team will be tasked with driving these efforts forward, enhancing Intel’s competitive edge and ensuring long-term stability.

As Intel continues its restructuring and innovation initiatives, many will be watching how the company adapts to evolving industry dynamics under its new leadership.

INTC currently trades at $24 and pays a dividend of 13 cents per share, a yield of 2.03%.

Tech

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Price Hike May Impact Future Android Flagships

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is making waves for its impressive performance and enhanced battery life, but it comes with a significant price increase. Manufacturers are reportedly paying $190 for the chip, which is 20% more than previous models.

Despite this recent hike, Qualcomm may raise the price even further for the next version. Early reports suggest that the next Snapdragon 8 Elite could exceed $200. This price bump is likely due to the chip’s advanced manufacturing process, with rumors indicating that the successor will be built using TSMC’s N3P node. This process could deliver up to 20% better performance, justifying the price increase.

However, this higher cost could put pressure on smartphone makers like Samsung and Xiaomi. These companies might have to increase the prices of their flagship phones to compensate for rising component costs. In fact, some reports suggest that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 series could see a price hike as a result. While Qualcomm still dominates the high-end smartphone chip market, MediaTek is slowly closing the gap with competitive offerings. Nonetheless, Qualcomm remains the preferred choice for many Android device makers.

QCOM currently trades at $158 and pays a dividend of 85 cents per share, a yield of 2.14%.

AI

The AI revolution continues to accelerate, and while the biggest names dominate the headlines, the real opportunities could lie elsewhere. Seven under-the-radar companies are quietly positioning themselves to capitalize on the next wave of AI growth.

These innovative firms are leveraging AI in groundbreaking ways, opening doors to untapped markets and redefining how industries operate. As others chase the usual suspects, savvy investors know that the greatest potential often comes from companies flying under the radar.

With AI poised to reshape the global economy, now is the time to align with the emerging leaders of this transformative industry.

Dividend Stocks Worth Watching

KO has faithfully grown its dividend for 62 years, currently settling in at a 3.03% quarterly payout. The company has several long-term prospects that make it a strong investment candidate for years to come.

V is used by billions of people around the globe, allowing it to bring in strong revenue and earnings time after time. The company’s 0.75% dividend yield is another big draw.

PEBO has been a major player in banking since 1902, with more than $9.1 billion in total assets. It currently pays out a 4.56% dividend yield.

Dividend Increases

METCB increased its dividend payout to 23.6 cents per share, an increase of 5.25%. Its new forward yield is 9.1%.

MKC upped its dividend payout to $1.80 per share, an increase of 7%. Its new forward yield is 2.30%.

POWI bumped its dividend payout up to 21 cents per share, an increase of 5%. Its new forward yield is 1.28%.

Dividend Decreases

CCAP lowered its dividend payout to 7 cents per share, a cut of 83%. Its new forward yield is 1.49%.

JRVR shrunk its dividend payout to 1 cent per share, a cut of 80%. Its new forward yield is 0.81%.

OBDE reduced its dividend payout to 6 cents per share, a cut of 83%. Its new forward yield is 9.4%.

Upcoming Dividend Payers

CRI is going to pay 80 cents per share to all shareholders of record on 12/6/24

BBWI is going to pay 20 cents per share to all shareholders of record on 12/6/24

H is going to pay 15 cents per share to all shareholders of record on 12/6/24

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