Bank of the Ozarks Hikes Dividend
Today, we take a peek at Bank of the Ozarks Inc (NASDAQ: OZRK) and note that things can’t be all bad in America.
We’ve featured many charts highlighting the strength of the U.S. economy. For example, we’ve noted the tremendous share price strength in trucking, manufacturing, and office properties. These firms tend to prosper during economic booms, providing a reliable gauge of business nationwide.
For proof, take a look at Bank of the Ozarks. The company has grown into one of the largest commercial real estate lenders in the country, doing deals in almost every big city across the U.S. This makes the company’s financial results an excellent indicator of what’s happening in America.
And judging by the latest Bank of the Ozarks dividend news, business looks good. In a press release Tuesday, the company bumped the quarterly distribution to $0.19 per share. The move represents a 15.1% increase from the same period last year. (Source: “Bank of the Ozarks Announces Increased Regular Quarterly Dividend,” BusinessWire, January 2, 2017.)
You can’t call this some one-off event, either. With this announcement in hand, Bank of the Ozarks has increased its regular distribution in each of the last 30 quarters. Over the past decade, shares have delivered a total return—including dividends—of 840%.
Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com
We know the financial press bombards readers with claims that America is toast. But as long as Bank of the Ozarks does brisk business, we’ll say “things can’t be that bad.”