The FTSE 250 index can be as good a place to hunt for dividend shares as the FTSE 100. In fact, the smaller-cap index’s average dividend yield is currently 3.3%. For the Footsie, this sits below 3%.
The FTSE 250 is a great place to find growth shares, and this has a useful knock-on effect, as dividends often rise sharply alongside earnings. Take Chesnara (LSE:CSN), Rathbones (LSE:RAT), and Cranswick (LSE:CWK).
Collectively, their annual dividends have risen for an impressive 72 straight years. But what makes them such excellent profit and dividend generators?
Chesnara – 21 years of growth
Many dividend growth stocks maintain their progressive records by delivering low payouts relative to earnings. This isn’t the case with Chesnara, which has consistently offered dividend yields above 6%. For this year, the yield is an enormous 7.6%.
Put simply, the company is a cash machine. It’s a life insurance and pensions consolidator that buys existing policies that steadily expire over time. The advantage? Cash is released as policies run off, while Chesnara’s capital expenditure is very low.
It’s a strong combination for large and growing dividends. This doesn’t guarantee passive income, though — cash generation is influenced by the performance of its investment portfolio. But Chesnara’s strong capital reserves provide a buffer against this threat. Its Solvency II ratio’s a gigantic 257%.
Rathbones – 16 years of growth
Like other wealth managers, Rathbones earns fees for supervising customers’ assets under management (AUM). This steady stream of income is largely predictable, giving the firm the means and the confidence to reliably raise dividends.
That’s not all. Financial markets typically rise over the long term, leading to AUM growth and greater fee income over time. Accordingly, annual dividends have risen consistently for more than a decade and a half. Following its tie-up with Investec Wealth & Investment in 2024, it has considerably increased its scale and in turn its earnings and dividend potential.
Bear in mind that market competition is fierce and could impact future returns. The dividend yield here is 5.1%.
Cranswick – 35 years of growth
Food producer Cranswick comfortably takes the FTSE 250 crown when it comes to dividend growth. With 35 years of consecutive increases, no other share on the index comes close.
That reliability reflects Cranswick’s focus on a massive defensive industry. We all need to eat even when times get tough. What’s more, the business has relationships with almost all the UK’s largest supermarket chains including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and Marks & Spencer. This gives it exposure to a wider base of consumers, and means it’s not reliant upon one retailer to drive sales.
Despite its defensive market, there are risks here. For instance, a focus on meat products leaves it vulnerable to changing consumer tastes. Yet, on balance, I think it’s still a rock-solid dividend share to consider. The dividend yield for this year is 2.2%.
