Chevron’s dividend history cuts its risk

Article Excerpt

CHEVRON CORP. $125 (New York symbol CVX; Cyclical Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares o/s: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $237.5 billion; Divd. yield: 3.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.chevron.com) is the second-largest integrated oil company in the U.S. by revenue, after ExxonMobil (New York symbol XOM). Producing oil and natural gas supplies 80% of Chevron’s earnings. Based on current production rates, its reserves of 11.7 billion barrels should last roughly 12 years. The remaining 20% of earnings comes from refineries, petrochemical operations and 7,700 gas stations in the U.S. 31 years of rising dividends Chevron last raised its quarterly dividend by 3.7% with the March 2018 payment. Investors now receive $1.12 a share, up from $1.08. The new annual rate of $4.48 yields 3.6%. The company has now increased its dividend each year for the past 31 years. Due to declining production, as well as lower oil and gas prices, Chevron’s revenue fell 50.0%, from $228.8 billion in 2013 to $114.5 billion in 2016. Thanks…