Top retailers keep raising their dividends

Article Excerpt

CANADIAN TIRE CORP. $172 (Toronto symbol CTC.A; Conservative Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; s/o: 70.6 million; Market cap: $12.1 billion; Dividend yield: 2.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.canadiantire.ca) sells automotive, household and sporting goods through 500 Canadian Tire stores. Its other retail chains include Mark’s (casual and work clothing) and Sport Chek (sporting goods). In March 2018, Canadian Tire raises its quarterly dividend by 38.5%, to $0.90 a share from $0.65. The annual rate of $3.60 yields 2.1%. In the three months ended December 31, 2017, the company’s revenue rose 8.9%, to $4.0 billion from $3.6 billion a year earlier. Revenues increased significantly at Canadian Tire, Forzani Group and Mark’s. Earnings in the quarter rose 11.7%, to $275.7 million from $246.8 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 18.5%, to $4.10 from $3.46 a year earlier. Earnings per share rose at a faster rate due to fewer shares outstanding. In fiscal 2017, the company spent $384.2 million on new stores and upgrades. For 2018 to 2020,…