After years of a low interest rate environment, many investors have turned to equities, not only for the growth potential but also for solid and dependable dividends that help to provide an income stream. What this equates to is total return, which is one of the most powerful investment strategies going.

We like to remind readers about the impact total return has on portfolios because it is one of the best ways to help improve the chances for overall investing success. Again, total return is the combined increase in a stock’s value plus dividends. For instance, if you buy a stock at $20 that pays a 3% dividend, and it goes up to $22 in a year, your total return is 13%. That is, 10% for the increase in stock price and 3% for the dividends paid.

Three top companies are expected to raise their dividends this week, and all are rated Buy at some of the top firms on Wall Street. While it is always possible that not all three do indeed raise their dividends, top analysts expect them to, and generally the data is based on past increases in the firm’s dividend payouts.

It is important to remember that no single analyst report should be used as a sole basis for any buying or selling decision.

Cousins Properties

This is a very solid idea for investors who are more conservative. Cousins Properties Inc. (NYSE: CUZ) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) based in Atlanta.

Acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties L.P., the company primarily invests in Class A office towers located in high-growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing and management of high-quality real estate assets.

Cousins Properties has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets and opportunistic investments, and it posted solid fourth-quarter 2021 funds from operations per share that were in line with the Wall Street consensus estimates. The figure also was up 1.5% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. The rental property revenues exceeded the consensus number as well.

Cousins Properties stock investors currently receive a 3.13% yield. The dividend is expected to rise to $0.32 a share from $0.31. Wells Fargo has a $44 target price, while the posted consensus target is $45. The shares were trading early Monday at $39.60 apiece.

Oxford Industries

While probably off the radar for many investors, this company makes some of the most popular brands of clothing and apparel. Oxford Industries Inc. (NYSE: OXM) designs, sources, markets and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide.

The company offers men’s and women’s sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; women’s and girl’s dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, belts, footwear and children’s apparel under the Lilly Pulitzer brand; and men’s shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear, ties, swimwear, footwear and accessories, as well as women and youth products, under the Southern Tide brand.

Oxford Industries also designs, sources, markets and distributes premium childrenswear, including bonnets, hats, apparel, swimwear and accessories through Beaufort Bonnet Company website and wholesale specialty retailers; and men’s apparel, including pants, shorts and tops, through the Duck Head website and wholesale specialty retailers.
In addition, the company licenses the Tommy Bahama brand for various products that include indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, beach chairs, bedding and bath linens, fabrics, leather goods and gifts, headwear, hosiery, sleepwear, shampoo, toiletries, fragrances, cigar accessories, distilled spirits and other products; Lilly Pulitzer for stationery and gift products, home furnishing products and eyewear; and Southern Tide trademark for bed and bath product.

Oxford Industries offers products through its retail stores and e-commerce sites, department stores, specialty stores, multi-branded e-commerce retailers, off-price retailers and other retailers. It operates 187 brand-specific full-price retail stores, 20 Tommy Bahama food and beverage locations, and 35 Tommy Bahama outlet stores.

Shareholders now receive a 1.93% yield. The $0.42 per share dividend is expected to rise to $0.45. The B. Riley Securities target price on Oxford Industries stock is $113. The consensus target is $112.75, and shares were trading at $87.35 Monday morning. The company is scheduled to report earnings this week.

Worthington Industries

Shares of this top company have been on a solid run since last year, and they look poised to trade even higher. Worthington Industries Inc. (NYSE: WOR) an industrial manufacturing company focused on value-added steel processing and manufactured metal products in North America and internationally.

Its Steel Processing segment processes flat-rolled steel for customers primarily in the automotive, aerospace, agricultural, appliance, construction, container, hardware, heavy-truck, HVAC, lawn and garden, leisure and recreation, office furniture and office equipment markets. The company also processes steel for steel mills, large end-users, service centers, and other processors.

The Consumer Products segment sells tools, outdoor living and celebrations products under the Coleman, Bernzomatic, Balloon Time, Mag Torch, General, Garden-Weasel, Pactool International and Hawkeye brand names. The Building Products segment provides commercial and residential construction products, water systems and heating and cooling solutions. The Sustainable Energy Solutions segment offers on-board fueling systems and services, as well as gas containment solutions and services for the storage, transport and distribution of industrial gasses, hydrogen ecosystem and compressed natural gas.

Investors receive a 1.85% yield, but the company is expected to lift the per-share dividend to $0.31 from $0.28. Macroaxis has a Strong Buy rating on the shares. The consensus target price is at $63. Worthington Industries stock was trading at $62.00.

These three top companies that are rated Buy across Wall Street are expected to lift the dividends they pay to shareholders. Not only is increasing dividends and returning capital to investors important, but it also shows that the company is doing well and has the earnings and cash flow strength to increase the payouts.

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