"September's Top Dividend Stock on Wall Street is a Must-Buy – and Most Investors Probably Don't Know It"
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 04 2025
0mins
Should l Buy YORW?
Source: Fool
Long-term Investment Success: The S&P 500 has never recorded a negative total return over any rolling 20-year period, highlighting the effectiveness of long-term investing in stocks, particularly high-quality dividend stocks which have historically outperformed non-payers.
York Water's Unique Position: York Water, a lesser-known water utility company, has paid dividends for 209 years, making it a standout among public companies. Its regulated operating model and predictable cash flow contribute to its stability and growth potential, making it an attractive investment opportunity.
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Analyst Views on YORW
About YORW
The York Water Company is an investor-owned water utility in the United States. The primary business of the Company is to impound, purify to meet or exceed safe drinking water standards and distribute water. The Company owns and operates wastewater collection and treatment systems. It operates within its franchised water and wastewater territory, which covers portions of over 57 municipalities within four counties in south-central Pennsylvania. It covers the areas of billing, payment procedures, dispute processing, terminations, service territory, debt and equity financing and rate setting. It obtains the bulk of its water supply for its primary system for York and Adams Counties from both the South Branch and East Branch of the Codorus Creek. It has two reservoirs, Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which together hold up to over 2.5 billion gallons of water. It also has the Houston Run Community Water System in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
York Water Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.228
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: York Water has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.228 per share, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract income-seeking investors.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.79% reflects the company's commitment to shareholder returns and may enhance market attractiveness for its stock.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on April 15, with a record date of February 27 and an ex-dividend date also on February 27, ensuring shareholders receive their returns promptly.
- Financial Health: Historical earnings data and the dividend scorecard for York Water indicate solid financial performance, and while the current return is moderate, the market anticipates potential for higher growth in the future.
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- Historic Dividend Payer: York Water has paid dividends for 209 consecutive years, making it one of the longest-standing dividend-paying companies in the U.S., with its stable cash flow and undervaluation attracting long-term investors' interest.
- Market Potential: York Water plans to apply for a significant rate increase from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which could boost its full-year revenue by 32%, further solidifying its market position in the water utility sector.
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York Water Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.228
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: York Water has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.228 per share, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract income-seeking investors.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.79% reflects the company's commitment to shareholder returns and may enhance market attractiveness for its stock.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on April 15, with a record date of February 27 and an ex-dividend date also on February 27, ensuring shareholders receive their returns promptly.
- Financial Health: Historical earnings data and the dividend scorecard for York Water indicate solid financial performance, and while the current return is moderate, the market anticipates potential for higher growth in the future.
See More
Three Top Dividend Stocks on Wall Street
- Dividend Growth Leader: Realty Income has declared dividends for 667 consecutive months since its 1994 IPO and has increased its payout for 113 consecutive quarters, showcasing its robust cash flow and stable business model, which enhances investor confidence.
- Long-Term Stable Returns: American States Water has raised its annual dividend for 71 consecutive years, targeting a compound annual growth rate of over 7% for future dividends, with its monopoly position in the water and electricity sector ensuring stable demand and predictable earnings.
- Historic Dividend Payer: York Water has paid dividends for 209 consecutive years, making it one of the longest-standing dividend-paying companies in the U.S., with its stable cash flow and undervaluation attracting long-term investors' interest.
- Market Potential: York Water plans to apply for a significant rate increase from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which could boost its full-year revenue by 32%, further solidifying its market position in the water utility sector.
See More
Royal Gold and Two Others Continue Dividend Growth, Attracting Investor Attention
- Royal Gold Performance: Royal Gold has raised its dividend every year since its establishment in 2000, with a 58.3% increase since 2021, showcasing strong resilience during gold price fluctuations and attracting long-term investor interest.
- York Water Stability: York Water has not missed a dividend payment since 1816, with a 4% increase in 2025, keeping ahead of 2.7% inflation, demonstrating robust profitability and sustainable dividend payout capabilities.
- Caterpillar Resilience: Caterpillar has maintained a 31-year streak of dividend increases, including a 7% hike in 2022, reflecting its strong resilience during economic crises and the pandemic, appealing to investors seeking stable income.
- Attraction of Dividend Growth: These three companies exhibit strong dividend growth records, particularly during economic volatility, making them preferred choices for investors looking for long-term returns.
See More
Three Dividend Champions Outpace 19% Inflation
- Significant Dividend Growth: Royal Gold has raised its dividend every year since its establishment in 2000, with a remarkable 58.3% increase since 2021, significantly outpacing the 19% inflation during the same period, demonstrating resilience amid fluctuating gold prices.
- Unbroken Payout Record: York Water has not missed a dividend since 1816, with a recent 4% increase and a total growth of 22% since 2021, supported by a sustainable payout ratio of 63%, indicating strong future dividend sustainability.
- Strong Resilience: Caterpillar has increased its dividend for 31 consecutive years, including increases of 16.7% during the 2008 financial crisis and 7.8% during the 2020 pandemic, showcasing its stability and commitment to shareholders during economic downturns.
- Investment Appeal: These three Dividend Champion stocks not only excel in the current economic environment but may also attract more income-seeking investors as the Fed is expected to lower interest rates, enhancing their appeal as reliable income sources.
See More
Visa Achieves 13 of 15 Years of Stock Gains, Positive Outlook for 2026
- Sustained Growth: Visa has seen stock gains in 13 of the last 15 years, reflecting its strong ties to the U.S. and global economy, and is expected to benefit from consumer spending growth in 2026 due to ongoing economic expansion.
- Risk Mitigation: By focusing solely on payment facilitation rather than lending, Visa avoids capital reserve requirements for loan losses, allowing it to rebound faster during short-term economic contractions, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Ad Spend Recovery: The Trade Desk anticipates that midterm elections in 2026 will drive a rebound in ad spending; despite tariff impacts, its Unified ID 2.0 technology is expected to enhance pricing power and sustain double-digit sales growth.
- Market Leadership: Meta Platforms' social media apps attract an average of 3.54 billion daily users, and with its advertising pricing power and generative AI solutions, it is poised to further enhance ad revenue and market share.
See More
Major Indexes Hit Record Highs in 2025; 10 Stocks to Watch
- Strong Market Performance: In 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all reached record highs, indicating robust economic recovery and investor confidence, which is likely to attract more capital into the stock market.
- Visa's Stable Growth: Visa has seen its stock rise in 13 of the last 15 years, with only minor declines in 2021 and 2022, reflecting its close ties to the U.S. and global economy, and it is expected to benefit from increased consumer spending moving forward.
- The Trade Desk's Technological Edge: Despite facing pressure on ad spending, The Trade Desk's UID2 technology is gaining traction, which is expected to sustain its double-digit sales growth rate and enhance its pricing power in the digital advertising space.
- UnitedHealth's Strategic Adjustments: Although 2025 was a challenging year, UnitedHealth is exiting unprofitable markets and raising healthcare premiums, which should restore profitability, while its Optum subsidiary is projected to achieve a 7% operating margin in 2026.
See More
