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Regional Bank Reveals National Ambitions with Multi-Billion Dollar Acquisition

Author

Noah Zelvis
September 10, 2025

In partnership with

A Pittsburgh-based regional bank has made a bold move towards achieving a national presence with a $4.1 billion acquisition. 

Stocks are rising today, and opportunities abound for dividend investors with their finger on the pulse.

Topgolf’s Former President Has an Even Bigger Idea

Troy Warfield knows how to scale a sport. As President of Topgolf International, he helped turn the concept into a global entertainment powerhouse, opening golf to millions of people who had never picked up a club before.

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Broadcasting

Everyone Thought Fox Was Falling Apart, But Look What Happened

Fox Corp (NASDAQ: FOXA) just cut through years of noise with a $3 billion settlement that locks Lachlan Murdoch into the driver’s seat.

His siblings are stepping aside, and the tug-of-war for control is finally over.

That closure means the endless headlines about family drama are gone. What’s left is a company with a single leader and a sharper focus on running the business.

Stability Is Back on the Table

Markets like certainty, and that’s exactly what Fox just bought itself.

With leadership locked in, investors can expect steadier execution across core assets like sports, news, and broadcast.

Instead of being weighed down by succession questions, Fox can concentrate on its strategy, and that clears the air for valuation growth.

A Stronger Hand for the Future

This isn’t just about avoiding family fights. It’s about giving Fox the room to compete with streaming rivals and manage regulatory pressure without distractions.

For you, that translates into a cleaner governance picture, reduced risk, and a company that’s easier to evaluate as a long-term play.

FOX Corporation currently trades at $56 and pays a dividend of $0.56 per share, a yield of 0.99%.

Industrials

Wall Street Thought Debt Was a Weakness, Caterpillar Turned It Into Ammo

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has locked in a $3.5 billion revolving credit line and extended two major agreements.

Together, the company now controls $8 billion in borrowing firepower.

That kind of capacity isn’t about padding numbers. It’s Caterpillar showing it has the liquidity muscle to keep building, no matter what the cycle throws its way.

When Banks Bet Billions, They’re Saying Something

Lenders don’t put up $8 billion without conviction. The net worth covenant embedded in this deal highlights trust in Caterpillar’s financial strength.

That trust translates into security — operations can keep running, dividends stay protected, and projects move forward even in leaner markets.

Ready to Strike When the Market Blinks

Construction, mining, and energy always swing between booms and slumps. With cash access nailed down, Caterpillar is positioned to pounce the moment demand swings back.

Instead of waiting on financing during an upturn, the company can step in aggressively, secure contracts, and grab market share while rivals hesitate.

CAT currently trades at $422 and pays a dividend of $6.04 per share, a yield of 1.43%.

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Consumer

The Menu Twist That Could Reset McDonald’s Growth Story

McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) has relaunched its Extra Value Meals, a bundle last seen in 2019, aiming to draw back price-sensitive diners.

The offer includes eight different pairings of classics like the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, McNuggets, and Egg McMuffin with sides and drinks, at savings of up to 15 percent.

This isn’t nostalgia for old menu items. It’s a calculated move to win back business while balancing affordability and profitability through year-end.

When Value Becomes a Margin Play

The decision came after two quarters of shrinking profits earlier this year. August showed signs of recovery, and adding bundles tackles one of the brand’s most visible challenges: affordability.

If traffic rebounds on the back of these deals, it strengthens same-store sales, cushions margins, and reminds us why McDonald’s has historically been one of the most resilient operators in food service.

Battling Rivals on Their Own Turf

Competitors like Chili’s and Applebee’s have carved out ground with aggressive value campaigns.

McDonald’s answer is to lean on scale, global recognition, and a proven ability to push volume.

By reintroducing bundles at a discount without dismantling profitability, the company positions itself to claw back share while keeping investors confident in its long-term growth story.

MCD currently trades at $306 and pays a dividend of $7.08 per share, a yield of 2.31%.

Dividend Stocks Worth Watching

PNC Financial Services (NYSE: PNC) is expanding its influence in regional banking with the $4.1 billion acquisition of the Colorado bank, FirstBank.

The acquisition will enable the Pittsburgh-based PNC to strengthen its presence in both Arizona and Colorado as PNC transitions from a regional to a national bank brand.

Analysts say the purchase could accelerate PNC’s growth by as much as a decade. 

PNC currently pays a $1.70 quarterly dividend, with a 3.37% yield. 

Teck Resources (NYSE: TECK) has agreed to a merger with Anglo American (NYSE: AAL). The merger will create one of the largest copper miners in the world, with the new company, named Anglo Teck, having a combined value of approximately $53 billion. 

The separate entities are already powerhouses in their respective fields, with Teck Resources being one of Canada's most notable copper and zinc miners.

The British-based Anglo American was founded in 1917 and has its fingers in many pies; from iron ore to copper, diamonds to crop nutrients, but of late, it has turned its attention to decarbonization and improving food security.

Its stock rose 9% after the news was announced.

Teck currently pays a 13-cent dividend, with a 0.90% yield. 

Fox Corporation (NYSE: FOX), News Corporation (NYSE: NWSA), and the Wall Street Journal finally have a heir apparent.

The ongoing family battle for control has spurred hours of courtroom drama, a cult TV spin-off, and an abundance of headlines.

Still, it has now been confirmed that Lachlan Murdoch will succeed his father, the media magnate Rupert Murdoch, at the helm of the family business. 

The future of the massive American media empire had been up in the air after family members were unable to reach an agreement on the line of succession.

As part of the deal, Lachlan’s siblings will split around $1 billion in proceeds from the sale of FOXA.O Class B voting stock and NWSA.O Class B common stock. 

NWSA currently pays a 10-cent dividend with a 0.68% yield, while FOX pays a 28-cent dividend with a 1.04% yield.

Dividend Increases

TRTX has increased its dividend payment to 39 cents, a 62.75% rise. Its new yield is 16.08%.

ATR has increased its dividend payment to 48 cents, a rise of 6.67%. Its new yield is 1.39%.

METCB has lifted its dividend payment to 19 cents, a boost of 5.91%. Its new yield is 4.22%.

Dividend Decreases

TY has cut its dividend to 27 cents per share, a drop of 8.48%. Its new yield is 3.16%.

SBR has reduced its dividend payment to 58 cents per share, a decline of 21.56%. Its new yield is 9.42%. 

UEVM has dropped its dividend to 9 cents per share, a decline of 9.03%. Its new yield is 2.14%.

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Upcoming Dividend Payers

MSFT’s ex-dividend date for the forthcoming 83-cent payment is 09/11/25.

MMM’s ex-dividend date for the forthcoming 73-cent payment is 09/11/25. 

PH’s ex-dividend date for the forthcoming $1.80 payment is 09/12/25.

Everything Else

  • Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has teased new menu innovations and loyalty rewards as the coffee shop chain’s turnaround continues to deliver results faster than expected.

  • From 2026, Chevron expects to export 7 million metric tons of natural gas from Texas annually – a quantity that could power approximately three million homes for over a year.

  • AbbVie has received Health Canada approval for its ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine) treatment for certain platinum-resistant ovarian and related cancers.

  • Apple has launched a series of new products at a special event held in California this week. The drop includes an all-new, ultra-thin 

  • iPhone and wearable tech with additional health features.

That’s all for today’s edition of the Dividend Brief.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any feedback or dividend stocks you want me to take a look at, just reply to this email!

—Noah Zelvis
DividendBrief.com