Gift Yourself This Dividend Aristocrat Over the Holidays

Global markets have climbed in December on the back of news that the United States and China are ready to strike a limited trade deal that will wipe away tariffs that have been damaging to growth.

Investors on the hunt for growth may be back in business, but that does not mean that you should turn away from quality dividend payers. Today I want to look at a dividend aristocrat that is worth targeting in December.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is an American aerospace and defence company. In previous articles for Baystreet, I’d discussed why an investment in defence spending is a wise one.

Despite bitter partisan infighting, U.S. Congress still passed a $738-billion defence spending package that received significant bipartisan support. It will now hit President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

Read: Stock in Play: CBD Global Sciences, Inc.

Shares of General Dynamics have climbed 17.7% in 2019 as of close on December 17. The stock has achieved average annual returns of 11% over the past 10 years.

In the third quarter of 2019, the company reported revenue of $9.8 billion which was up 7.3% from the prior year. Operating earnings rose 7.1% to $1.2 billion and diluted earnings per share increased 8.7% to $3.14.

The company last declared a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a 2.2% yield. General Dynamics has delivered dividend-growth for 28 consecutive years.