Interactive Brokers Group’s President and CEO Milan Galik announced a 28% increase on April 15, 2025. IBKR Declares 28% Dividend Hike Last week’s condensed four?day trading session was still dominated by tariff developments and a busy start to earnings season. The Trump administration’s pause on selected technology?related duties, plus consideration of a similar reprieve for autos, reduced early?week pressure on equities. Retail sales added another positive note, climbing 1.4 percent in March versus a 1.3 percent consensus and well above February’s 0.2 percent increase. Large banks—including J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Citibank—opened the earnings season with profit growth tied to higher trading revenue, helping major indexes trim year?to?date losses despite ongoing volatility. On the income side, electronic brokerage firm Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR) raised its quarterly payout by 28% after logging record net revenue for the first quarter of 2025. Management cited all?time?high trading volumes across stocks, options and futures as key contributors, giving the company sufficient headroom to enhance its dividend policy. Last week’s notable declarations Financials Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR)’s qualified $0.320 28.0% The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV)’s qualified $1.100 4.8% Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS)’s qualified $3.000 0% Citizens Financial Group Inc. (CFG)’s qualified $0.420 0% Consumer Discretionary Kenvue Inc. (KVUE)’s qualified $0.205 0% Health Care Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)’s qualified $1.300 4.8% Consumer Staples Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI)’s qualified $0.150 0% Utilities CMS Energy Corp. (CMS)’s qualified $0.543 0% Materials Fuller H.B. Co. (FUL)’s qualified $0.235 5.6% Technology Entegris Inc. (ENTG)’s qualified $0.100 0% View all declarations from last week. ESLT’s 20% Increase Going Ex-Dividend Looking ahead, next week’s macro calendar is lighter but still tariff-centric. Economists expect March durable?goods orders to retreat 0.5 percent after February’s 0.9 percent gain, reflecting pending import duties. Existing-home sales are forecast at 4.38 million units annualized, a step?up that would highlight the support from lower mortgage rates. Investors will also parse additional technology and financial sector earning reports for fresh guidance. Williams-Sonoma (WSM) is set to go ex-dividend next week with a 16% increase. The home retailer’s streamlined operations have supported expanding margins, while a manageable debt-equity ratio and strong operating cash flows have underpinned 16 years of consecutive dividend growth. This week’s notable ex-dividends Monday, April 21st The Procter & Gamble Co. (PG)’s qualified $1.057 5.0% Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)’s qualified $1.410 0% Zoetis Inc. (ZTS)’s qualified $0.500 0% The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK)’s qualified $0.470 0% Tuesday, April 22nd Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT)’s qualified $0.600 20.0% Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL)’s qualified $0.525 18.0% The Greenbrier Companies Inc. (GBX)’s qualified $0.320 6.7% CVS Health Corp. (CVS)’s qualified $0.665 0% Wednesday, April 23rd Stellantis N.V (STLA)’s qualified $0.775 -56.1% Lowe’s Companies Inc. (LOW)’s qualified $1.150 0% Lennar Corp. (LEN)’s qualified $0.500 0% Thursday, April 24th Intercorp Financial Services Inc (IFS)’s qualified $1.000 0% Royal Bank Of Canada (RY)’s qualified $1.068 0% Friday, April 25th CSW Industrials Inc. (CSWI)’s qualified $0.270 12.5% Signet Jewelers Ltd. (SIG)’s qualified $0.320 10.3% Fastenal Co. (FAST)’s qualified $0.440 2.3% GE Healthcare Technologies Inc. (GEHC)’s qualified $0.035 0% MODEL PORTFOLIO NEWS Best Dividend Stocks Portfolio This consumer staples giant pairs a 60+ year dividend increase streak with ultra-low 0.42 beta and 1.0x net leverage, making it a standout for risk-averse investors. With steady growth, high liquidity, and unmatched dividend safety, it’s no wonder we’ve reaffirmed its place in our portfolio. Going ex-dividend this week Monday, April 21st The Procter & Gamble Co. (PG)’s qualified $1.057 5.0% Best High Dividend Stocks Portfolio Yielding 6.63% with a 15-year dividend growth streak, this specialized REIT owns high-demand lab space in leading biotech hubs. Backed by strong liquidity, consistent FFO, and strategic asset recycling, it’s built for long-term income stability.— and why it could belong in yours. Last week’s declarations NNN Reit, Inc. (NNN)’s non-qualified $0.580 0% Best Dividend Protection Stocks Portfolio This financials-sector leader just earned a spot in our Safe Dividend Portfolio. Backed by a 15-year dividend growth streak, a 3.70% forward yield, and a pristine -6.4x net leverage ratio, it offers the income safety and balance sheet strength dividend investors crave. Last week’s declarations NNN Reit, Inc. (NNN)’s non-qualified $0.580 0% Going ex-dividend this week Monday, April 21st The Procter & Gamble Co. (PG)’s qualified $1.057 5.0% Best Dividend Growth Stocks Portfolio This mega-cap financial firm boasts a 13% dividend CAGR, a low 26% payout ratio, and a fortress balance sheet with -1.5x net leverage. With diversified banking and wealth operations, it remains a core Dividend Growth Portfolio holding. Explore why its growth, safety, and sentiment signals continue to shine—read the full breakdown behind our reaffirmed Buy rating. MONTHLY DIVIDENDS With a 5.65% forward yield, monthly dividends, and a strong balance sheet, this financials-sector BDC delivers consistent income and disciplined growth. Specializing in lower middle market lending and equity, it offers both downside protection and upside potential. Recent EPS estimate upgrades and a post-earnings pullback make now a compelling time to explore why we’ve reaffirmed this standout monthly dividend payer. View all Best Monthly Dividend Stocks Portfolio holdings Last week’s declarations EPR Properties (EPR)’s non-qualified $0.295 0% SECTOR DIVIDENDS This recently added insurance stock delivers a 3.07% yield, an 8% dividend growth rate, and a 45-year streak of increases — all backed by a low 36% payout ratio and stable 0.74 beta. Operating in niche markets with rising premiums and investment income, it offers rare consistency. Discover why it earned a Buy rating in our premium portfolio. View all 11 Best Sector Dividend Stock Lists S&P 500 returned 0.4% over the trailing week with sectors ranging from -1.3% in Con Disc (XLY) to 5.9% in Energy (XLE). As of close April 17, 2025. TRADE OF THE WEEK Industrial supplier’s recovery post-dividend tops our list of best dividend capture trading ideas this week. Return up to 0.54% in two days (88% annualized) when you buy this stock one day before its upcoming ex-dividend date on Friday, April 25. Read more about this trade. MOST POPULAR STOCKS (BY PAGE VIEWS) ON OUR SITE LAST WEEK Ticker Name Price Change Last Week (%) GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C 0.08% PFE Pfizer Inc 2.08% O Realty Income Corp 5.74% MO Altria Group Inc 1.58% CVX Chevron Corp 0.28% ET Energy Transfer LP Unit 6.35% VZ Verizon Communications Inc 1.61% F Ford Motor Co 2.84% AGNC AGNC Investment Corp 2.22% EPD Enterprise Products Partners LP 5.15% ADVISOR PRACTICE Mastering the Art and Science of the Call to Action. View. Crushing Your First Impressions. View. Lead Generation Tips, Gaining Referrals, and Finding High-Net-Worth Clients. View. First-Time Client Meetings, Getting More Done in Less Time, and Building Better Websites. View. RETIREMENT REMINDERS Debt vs. Retirement: How to Prioritize Retirement When You Have Debt. View. What’s Next for the Federal Reserve After Trump’s Tariffs? View. Beat the Taxman: How Qualified Charitable Distributions Can Reduce Your RMDs. View. Should You Adjust Your Social Security Expectations? View. INVESTING SPOTLIGHT Portfolio Management Investing in Nature: How Natural Capital Delivers Strong, Stable Returns. View. Harnessing Trends: How Model Portfolios Make Thematic Investing Easy. View. Bitcoin and Beyond: Crafting a Balanced Digital Asset Allocation Strategy. View. Active ETFs See how active fixed income ETFs are transforming fixed income investing. By JP Morgan | View. Model Portfolios Just Got Active: How ETFs Are Powering the Next Evolution. View. Nuveen Targets Muni Exposure With New Active ETFs. View. ESG Anti-ESG Laws Gain Steam. View. Making Sense of ESG Investing: Going Beyond the Hype. View. Despite Promises, Large Shareholder’s Aren’t “Rocking the Boat”. View. Best of the rest Strategists. Good Help Grows Ever Harder to Find, Consumer Confidence Deteriorates, and a Stagflation Check In. View. Fixed Income. Fixed Income Investing: Find the right strategy for stronger fixed income portfolios. By JP Morgan | View. Munis. From Bitcoin to Bonds: The Unexpected Blockchain Revolution in Muni Markets. View. This s the latest www.dividend.com news. |