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Global Car Manufacturer Faces Decline as Tariffs and Dividend Cuts Loom
Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2 times weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing. If you’re not looking for more emails from us, just click here to unsubscribe!
Today we will look into Walgreens, Target Corporation, and BlackRock highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

Clean Energy (Sponsored)
A Tiny Uranium Stock That Could Soar Like UEC

On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
Five years ago, Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) was a small uranium junior trading at just $0.60.
Most investors ignored it.
Then, the uranium market exploded.
UEC’s stock skyrocketed 2,500 percent, transforming early investors into millionaires.
Now, the market is hunting for the next UEC.
One tiny uranium junior is sitting on prime assets in the world’s richest uranium region.
Drill results confirm uranium mineralization, with more exploration underway.
Global nuclear expansion is fueling long-term demand for uranium.
The US is desperate for domestic uranium supply—creating a major opportunity.
With billionaire-backed nuclear investments and a global energy crunch, this company could be the next big uranium success story.
*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.

Healthcare
Walgreens Delivers Cost-Cut Gains While Preparing for Ownership Shift

Walgreens (NASDAQ: WBA) posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and revenue as it moves forward with a planned $10 billion take-private transaction by Sycamore Partners.
Executives removed fiscal 2025 guidance, citing the pending change in ownership structure. During the quarter that ended February 28, Walgreens reported adjusted earnings that exceeded analyst expectations and grew sales in its U.S. retail pharmacy and international segments.
Management implemented aggressive cost-cutting efforts, including store closures and other efficiency measures, to streamline operations before the deal's completion. The company remains under pressure from tightening pharmacy reimbursement rates, consumer headwinds, and increasing competition in health and retail segments.
Operations generated $38.59 billion in quarterly sales, representing modest year-over-year growth. Walgreens booked a net loss of $2.85 billion, which included a $4.2 billion non-cash impairment tied to its U.S. pharmacy and VillageMD holdings.
Walgreens generated $1 billion in gains through strategic exits from select equity positions, including partial stakes in Cencora and BrightSpring. Legal settlements weighed on operating cash flow, which absorbed nearly $1 billion in payments linked to opioid and contractual disputes.
Sycamore’s acquisition remains on track to close later in the year. Walgreens continues its transition strategy as it reshapes its retail and healthcare footprint.

Retail
Target Seeks Stability Through New Bond Sales and Product Launches

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) announced multiple strategic actions as the retailer responds to weakening demand and a challenging cost environment. The company finalized a $1 billion note issuance, maturing in 2035 with a 5.000% yield, adding to its broader effort to strengthen financial flexibility.
Executives also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.12 per share, continuing a consistent payout streak that spans 231 consecutive quarters. Leadership reinforced the company's focus on disciplined capital allocation.
Retail operations faced headwinds, with shares touching a 52-week low. Analysts cited demand uncertainty and tighter spending patterns contributing to investor caution. Despite the market reaction, the company focuses long-term on consumer value and supply agility.
Target reduced its private-label sourcing from China to 30% from 60% to lower trade risk. Plans are underway to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing further, aligning with broader supply chain diversification goals.
Target also unveiled a limited-run collaboration with Kate Spade New York, offering over 300 fashion and home items. The launch aims to blend affordability with designer appeal during a critical retail cycle.

Uranium Market (Sponsored)
On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
And the world’s wealthiest, most powerful investors are moving in—Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Sam Altman.
They’ve made their billions in tech revolutions like Amazon, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Now, they’re betting big on nuclear energy.
Gates: His Natrium reactor secured $3 billion in funding.
Bezos: Backing a fusion energy startup.
Altman: Building reactors powered by nuclear waste.
Governments are following suit. The US just poured $6 billion into nuclear energy, while the Trump administration is fast-tracking policies to boost domestic uranium production.
For investors, this is a perfect storm.
The last uranium boom turned a tiny $0.60 stock into a $3.11 billion powerhouse.
The next one could be happening right now.
*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.

Financial Services
BlackRock Expands Digital Asset Custody With Anchorage Digital Partnership

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) has named Anchorage Digital Bank N.A. an additional custodian to support its expanding suite of crypto products. The move builds on an existing partnership and marks a broader strategy to enhance its infrastructure for digital asset custody, staking, and on-chain operations.
Anchorage Digital, the only U.S. federally chartered digital asset bank, now supports custody for BlackRock’s spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) and related funds. The asset manager, which leads globally in spot crypto ETP assets under management, continues to grow its network of service providers amid increased institutional interest in digital assets.
BlackRock already works with Anchorage on the USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL). The latest step enables deeper integration of Anchorage’s secure crypto infrastructure, which includes offline storage, biometric authentication, and bankruptcy-remote asset segregation.
Anchorage underwent a complete due diligence process before being selected. BlackRock gains access to additional services, including secure settlement and governance tools, and expands its operational capacity across its digital offerings.
By extending its custodian network, BlackRock aims to meet growing demand from retail and institutional clients for regulated, secure access to crypto assets. This partnership positions the firm to scale digital asset capabilities alongside investor adoption.
BlackRock’s addition of Anchorage reflects its commitment to infrastructure that meets regulatory expectations and security benchmarks for the evolving digital economy.

Dividend Stocks Worth Watching
Ford (NYSE:F) is absorbing more than its share of bearishness as analysts almost universally say the stock will suffer more than most automotive companies from tariffs despite its relatively expansive U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Bernstein is the latest to come out against the stock, dropping its rating to Sell from Hold and cutting its price target by 25% to $7 per share. The analyst behind Bernstein’s report, Daniel Roeska, said, "Parts tariffs are likely to follow within a month [and we] extend our company analysis to Ford and find significant downside not priced by the market yet.” Roeska also pointed to a high likelihood of dividend cuts in Ford’s future, meaning its current 8.63% forward yield may not last.
Harmony Gold Mining Company (NYSE:HMY) is positioned to exploit the current bull run on gold and gold-backed ETFs. Still, better yet, it’s financially and operationally strong enough to set itself apart from its many competitors in the mining sector. Harmony beat followed the gold segment’s momentum even amid tariffs, returning more than 70% since January compared to average gold gains of just 16%. Harmony’s sales jumped nearly 20%, and profit increased by one-third over the past six months. Likewise, the mining company’s exposure to peripheral precious metals and materials - including uranium, silver, and copper - diversifies its long-term revenue opportunities. Harmony currently yields 1.23%.
Realty Income (NYSE:O), though perhaps the most well-loved individual dividend stock of all time, faced downward pressure over the past few years mainly due to inflation. However, that may change as the company’s yield climbs above 6% and bumps against its all-time records, creating a buying opportunity for income investors in a constrained environment. Realty Income’s property portfolio isn’t recession-proof, but with tenants including 7-Eleven, Lowe’s, and Chipotle, its downstream offerings are all-weather enough to be a compelling pick for tight economic times.

Dividend Increases
ORCL grew its dividend payout to 50 cents per share, an increase of 25%. Its new forward yield is 1.41%.
AMAT expanded its dividend payout to 46 cents per share, an increase of 15%. Its new forward yield is 1.26%.
AMT improved its dividend payout to $1.70 per share, an increase of 148%. Its new forward yield is 3.10%.
Dividend Decreases
SRET lowered its dividend payout to 14 cents per share, a cut of 7.1%. Its new dividend yield is 8.32%.
PSC reduced its dividend payout to 11.03 cents per share, a cut of1.43%. Its new dividend yield is 0.91%.
PY decreased its dividend payout to 17.81 per share, a cut of 27.61%. Its new dividend yield is 1.45%.

Uranium Stocks (Sponsored)
On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
Billionaires are backing uranium. Governments are pouring in billions.
The uranium bull market is just getting started.
And one tiny uranium junior is sitting on the kind of high-potential assets that turned UEC into a $3.11 billion powerhouse.
Prime uranium assets in the Athabasca Basin and the Central Mineral Belt
Advancing exploration with new data analysis
Institutional investors quietly moving into uranium
With the Trump administration fast-tracking policies to boost domestic uranium production, this company is in a perfect position to capitalize.
The market hasn’t caught on yet, but it won’t stay this way for long.
*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.

Upcoming Dividend Payers
GSK is going to pay forty cents per share to all shareholders of record on 4/10/25
MDT is going to pay seventy cents per share to all shareholders of record on 4/11/25
DKS is going to pay $1.21 per share to all shareholders of record on 4/11/25

Everything Else
Cal-Maine appreciates Trump’s efforts to soften blows across the egg production industry even as its share price drops amid avian flu concerns, antitrust violation allegations, and price-gouging skepticism.
Even high-yield pharma stocks aren’t the defensive play they once were as tariffs hit the drug industry.
Medical
Walmart fears tariffs will tear its operating income projections apart and drive down planned growth.
Walgreens shares surged on strong earnings even as the company preps for a take-private move near the year’s end.
Occidental Petroleum is one of Warren Buffett’s lowest-performing investments in recent history, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t buying more as per-share pricing dips.

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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