USA Dividend Highlights: week 7, 2025

Meta, Cisco, GE, NextEra and Gilead announce increases

Feb 17, 2025

As earnings season progresses, Week 7 of 2025 has brought a wave of dividend increases across various industries. More than 50 companies announced dividend hikes this week, with the list below representing the largest companies ranked by market cap.

ALSO CHECK OUT: European Dividend Highlights: week 7, 2025

From tech to utilities and financials, several major companies rewarded shareholders with higher payouts. Let’s dive into some of the key dividend hikes, their yields, and year-to-date performance to assess the broader market trends.

Biggest Dividend Hikes of the Week

Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) led the pack with a massive 36.4% dividend increase. Despite a slight weekly decline of -0.5%, the stock has surged 14.0% YTD, fueled by strong travel demand. RCL’s current yield stands at 1.1%, a relatively low figure but reflective of its high-growth trajectory.
General Electric (GE) continued its resurgence with a 28.6% dividend increase. With a stellar 24.9% YTD total return, GE's transformation post-conglomerate split is bearing fruit. The company’s dividend yield remains at 0.7%, still modest but improving.
American Homes 4 Rent (AMH), a residential REIT, boosted its dividend by 15.4%. This came despite a -5.8% YTD performance, reflecting broader real estate sector headwinds. The stock offers a solid 3.4% yield.

The 25 biggest companies ranked by market cap announcing a dividend hike last week.

Tech and Financials: More Modest Hikes

Meta Platforms (META) announced its first-ever dividend earlier this year and followed up with a 5.0% increase. With a 25.8% YTD return, the tech giant is flexing its cash-generating ability. However, its dividend yield remains a negligible 0.3%, highlighting its focus on growth over income.
Cisco (CSCO) rewarded shareholders with a 2.5% dividend hike, pushing its already solid yield to 2.5%. The stock has climbed 10.3% YTD, reflecting investor confidence in networking demand.
Moody’s (MCO), benefiting from strong credit market activity, increased its dividend by 10.6%, with a current yield of 0.7%. The stock has gained 10.5% YTD, reinforcing its resilience.
T. Rowe Price (TROW) saw a more modest 2.4% increase, with the stock struggling at -5.2% YTD. Its yield remains attractive at 4.7%, appealing to income-focused investors.

Tractor Supply Co hiked its dividend by 4.5%

Steady Performers: Utilities & REITs

NextEra Energy (NEE), a leading electric utility, raised its dividend by 10.0%, keeping its yield at a healthy 3.3% despite a -5.1% YTD decline.
Exelon (EXC), another utility, increased its payout by 5.3%, with the stock up 13.8% YTD. The company maintains a solid 3.7% yield.
Ventas (VTR), a healthcare REIT, rewarded investors with a 6.7% hike, capitalizing on its strong 13.0% YTD performance. The stock now yields 2.9%.

Best track records: T. Rowe Price & NextEra

Several Dividend Aristocrats announed a dividend hike last week, including T. Rowe Price Group (TROW) and NextEra Energy (NEE). TROW has now hiked the dividend 39 consecutive years, with NEE raising for the 31st consecutive year in 2025.

One stock even has a better track record: RLI Corp (RLI) hiked its dividend for the 50th consecutive year with a 3.4% increase.

Dividend Cuts: A Few Notable Declines

While the majority of dividend news was positive, two companies made significant cuts this week:

Celanese (CE) slashed its dividend by 95.7%, a dramatic move that shocked investors.
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp (ACRE) reduced its dividend by 40%, reflecting ongoing challenges in the real estate sector.

Final Takeaways

The average dividend increase among this week’s major companies was ~9%, with Royal Caribbean and General Electric leading the charge.
Utilities and REITs continue to offer stable income, though performance remains mixed.

Tech companies like Meta and Cisco are becoming more shareholder-friendly, but their dividends are still secondary to capital appreciation.
Despite broad dividend growth, the sharp cuts from Celanese and Ares Commercial Real Estate highlight that not all companies are thriving in the current environment.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.