Category Archives: News

In doing research on Ecolab’s dividend growth history for the company summary, I came across this statement on page 6 of its 2013 annual report: “We increased our quarterly cash dividend rate for the 22nd consecutive year, raising it 20 percent in December to an indicated annual payout of $1.10 per common share. This represents Ecolab’s 22nd consecutive annual dividend rate increase.” So why does S&P include them in the list of Dividend Aristocrats, which require 25 years of dividend Read more [...]

What Does the Dollar Tree Acquisition of Family Dollar Mean for This Dividend Aristocrat?

Monday morning, Dollar Tree (DLTR) announced that they would acquire Family Dollar (FDO) in order to form one of the largest discount retailers across the U.S. and Canada, with over 13,000 stores.  Dollar Tree, which will continue to operate the Family Dollar brand, is paying $8.5 billion in cash and stock for the discount retailer. Family Dollar is one of 54 Dividend Aristocrats, having increased dividends for 38 years.  For dividend investors though, owning Dollar Tree will be a disappointment Read more [...]