Lower costs support their dividends

Article Excerpt

These two firms are cutting costs, which will help them cope as consumers shift away from processed foods. Those savings will let them improve the quality of their products, and protect their dividends. CAMPBELL’S CO. $42 is a buy. The company (Nasdaq symbol CPB; Conservative-Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 298.1 million; Market cap: $12.5 billion; Dividend yield: 3.7%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.thecampbellscompany.com) recently changed its name from Campbell Soup Co. to reflect its broader array of products, including soups, sauces and snack foods. It also transferred its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq (the shares continue to trade under the “CPB” symbol). With the January 2025 payment, Campbell’s will raise your quarterly dividend by 5.4%, to $0.39 a share from $0.37. The new annual rate of $1.56 yields 3.7% In March 2024, the company completed its $2.9 billion acquisition of Sovos Brands Inc. (Nasdaq symbol SOVO), the maker of Rao’s pasta sauces. As a result of that purchase, Campbell’s sales…