Global Food Giant Outperforms Rivals Amid Q1 Earnings Concerns

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Today we will look into General Motors, McDonald’s, and Texas Instruments highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

Domestic Demand (Sponsored)

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*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.

Automotive

GM Ramps Up U.S. Manufacturing With New Light-Duty Truck Shift

General Motors (NYSE: GM) will increase light-duty truck production at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant. Internal communications with employees outlined new scheduling changes and expanded output plans for the facility.

Fort Wayne serves as a key hub for GM’s full-size truck production. The facility also manufactures popular light-duty models, which roll off lines in Mexico and Canada. The Indiana site will take on a larger production share as part of GM's broader manufacturing strategy.

Internal teams have started preparing for the changes. Supervisors coordinate shift coverage while supply chain groups work to align part flow with higher build volumes. Production managers expect increased activity across all operating shifts over the coming weeks.

The expansion effort will boost capacity when GM continues to balance supply chain logistics with customer demand. Fort Wayne operations have maintained vehicle availability across North American markets.

New hires will undergo training as onboarding begins in phases. GM plans to roll out the changes gradually while maintaining quality control benchmarks at the plant.

The logistics and workforce planning departments remain in sync to ensure efficient execution. GM expects a smooth transition as it adds resources to one of its most productive North American facilities.

Restaurants

McDonald’s Strengthens International Presence With 20-Year Deal in the Philippines

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) has renewed its long-term franchise agreement in the Philippines through 2045, reinforcing its strategy to expand global operations. The updated agreement grants Golden Arches Development Corp. (GADC) the rights to own, operate, and develop McDonald’s restaurants nationwide for another two decades.

GADC, which first introduced McDonald’s to the Philippines in 1981, currently manages a network of 792 locations. Its stores cover all regions nationwide, with a large concentration in Metro Manila and Luzon. Nearly 70% of the stores operate as free-standing units with drive-thru service.

Under the new franchise agreement, GADC can sub-franchise restaurants and grow the brand locally. McDonald’s and GADC have consistently expanded their regional presence, supported by rising consumer demand and infrastructure development.

Store expansion remains a key focus as McDonald’s strengthens its international footprint. The agreement reflects confidence in the Philippine market and supports broader plans to scale operations in Southeast Asia.

Franchise operators continue identifying locations for future growth while aligning with McDonald’s global operating standards. Strategic partnerships remain critical to the company’s international business model and long-term development goals.

McDonald’s maintains franchise relationships in over 100 markets as part of its global structure. The latest agreement highlights consistent momentum across key growth regions.

Semiconductors

Texas Instruments Scales Operations, Aligns Resources for Future Capacity

Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) is moving forward with its semiconductor capacity plans while making targeted workforce adjustments at its Lehi, Utah facility. The company confirmed reductions at the site, which it acquired in 2021, citing alignment with long-term operational strategy.

Construction continues on a new 300mm wafer fab in Lehi, one of three sites included in TI’s multi-year investment program supported by the CHIPS and Science Act. The initiative also includes facilities in Sherman, Texas, where additional large-scale fabs are developing.

Federal funding of $1.6 billion, announced as part of the CHIPS Act agreement, will help support TI’s manufacturing expansion through 2029.

Once complete, the Lehi facility will operate alongside the existing site and increase output for analog and embedded processing chips used across electronics applications.

Construction of the facility began in 2023 and remains on track. TI has not changed its capital plan for Lehi and continues to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities to meet anticipated demand.

Planning teams have prioritized long-term supply security through expanded U.S.-based production. The company executes phased growth while managing near-term headcount and output levels.

Texas Instruments remains one of the largest domestic producers of analog and embedded semiconductors across various end markets.

GBX grew its dividend payout to 32 cents per share, an increase of 6.67%. Its new forward yield is 2.8%.

EBR expanded its dividend payout to 15.75 cents per share, an increase of 11.39%. Its new forward yield is 3.15%. 

TIMB improved its dividend payout to 17.8 cents per share, an increase of 148%. Its new forward yield is 3.84%.

RFI lowered its dividend payout to eight cents per share, a cut of 69.92%. Its new dividend yield is 8.5%.

MMT reduced its dividend payout to 3.35 cents per share, a cut of 0.65%. Its new dividend yield is 9.1%.

BCAT decreased its dividend payout to 28.48 per share, a cut of 0.86%. Its new dividend yield is 24%.

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Everything Else

• Warren Buffett’s recent move toward cash seems prescient amid last week’s stock drops. 

• Darden Restaurant’s Olive Garden franchise is rapidly losing ground among casual dining options.  

• Schwab’s legendary dividend ETF, SCHD, is making a major move toward focusing on energy stocks. 

• “Buying the dip” is losing its appeal among retail investors. 

• Honda is making inroads toward becoming a competitor in the U.S. corporate space race.