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# Dividend Growth Investor: 15 Dividend Stocks in the News
- URL: https://www.smartinvestingsociety.com/dividend-growth-investor-15-dividend-stocks-in-the-news/
- Published: 2024-05-10T12:17:37.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-10T12:17:37.000Z
- Author: Smart Investing
- Tags: Income investing, Stock Picks, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-09-30 15:32

A dividend is not set in stone. It’s determined by a company’s board of directors. And many factors go into the decision. That includes a company’s earnings, growth needs and prospects, and other potential uses for that capital.

As a result, a select number of companies have become dividend growth stocks. They have a history of raising their payouts over time. That tends to attract long-term investors. However, if the company has to reduce its dividend, the trend can reverse.

For instance, **3M (MMM)** recently announced a dividend cut, by changing its dividend target to 40% of adjusted free cash flow.

In fairness, 3M recently spun off its subsidiary **Solventum (SOLV)**. That company will pay dividends in time as well. However, the overall payout for 3M shareholders will likely be lower, making this change a stealth dividend cut.

Meanwhile, some companies prefer to reward shareholders with massive buybacks rather than dividends. **Apple (AAPL)** made history last week becoming the first company to announce a $100 billion buyback.

While massive, investors hoping to profit from gains as the company reduces its total shares will have to stick with a slow-growing 0.6% dividend.

Apple’s dividend growth has significantly slowed over the past few years. It still remains more tax-efficient for companies to buy back shares rather than reward their owners with cash from the business.

[To see the full list of companies making dividend changes now, click here.](https://www.dividendgrowthinvestor.com/2024/05/14-dividend-stocks-in-news.html?ref=smartinvestingsociety.com)