3 Top-Rated Dividend Stocks That Recently Raised Their Dividend

Below are three top-rated dividend stocks from Wall Street analysts that raised their dividends in September. The stocks can still be bought by investors to capture the recently announced hikes. Companies that consistently raise their dividends are some of the best stocks long-term on Wall Street. As an example of the power of dividends, Warren Buffett makes more from dividend payments each year from Coca-Cola than his initial investment.

1. Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG): On September 7, 2021, Cheniere Energy initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share, or $1.32 annualized, per share. The dividend is payable on November 17, 2021, to shareholders of record as of November 3, 2021. The ex-dividend date is November 2, 2021. The annual yield is 1.3%. Cheniere Energy has a 9.6 analyst rating score (out of 10), according to StreetInsider.com data. Morgan Stanley analyst Devin McDermott recently reiterated an Overweight rating and $94 price target on LNG after the dividend news, noting the company's strong upside leverage to rising global gas prices. He sees limited downside risks due to the value in existing contracts.

2. ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP). On September 20, 2021, ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) raised its dividend 7% to $0.46 per share, or $1.84 annualized. The dividend will be payable on December 1, 2021, to stockholders of record on October 28, 2021, with an ex-dividend date of October 27, 2021. The annual yield is 2.6%. ConocoPhillips has an analyst rating score of 8.4 (out of 10), according to StreetInsider.com data. Raymond James analyst John Freeman recently raised his price target on COP to $90.00 (from $80.00) while maintaining a Strong Buy rating, saying the acquisition of Shell’s Permian Basin assets "checks all the boxes." Freeman said the deal, "directly benefits shareholders, increasing COP’s 10-year distribution and free cash flow targets while further solidifying the company’s extensive, low-cost L48 asset base."

3. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT): On September 14th, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) raised its dividend 10.7% to $0.62 per share, or $2.48 annualized. The dividend will be payable on December 9, 2021, to stockholders of record on November 18, 2021, with an ex-dividend date of November 17, 2021. The annual yield is 0.9%. With the dividend hike, the board of directors also approved a new share repurchase program authorizing up to $60 billion in share repurchases. The new plan was $20 billion higher than the 2019 stock buyback plan of $40 billion. Microsoft's analyst rating score is 8.8 (out of 10), according to StreetInsider data. Jefferies analyst Brent Thill recently raised his price target on MSFT stock to $345 after the company announced it is raising the pricing of business apps starting in March. Thill said the price increases will likely drive higher adoption of E5 and deeper integrations for Office, Dynamics and Teams are on the way.

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