Restructuring Rebounds: Top Dividend Stocks Realign to Boost Margins

Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2-times-weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing.

Today, we will look into Pfizer, PepsiCo, and Texas Instruments, highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching, as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

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Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer Strikes $6B Oncology Pact with Chinese Biotech

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has signed a global licensing deal with China-based biotech firm 3SBio, paying $1.25 billion upfront for rights to a new cancer drug candidate. The total deal could reach $6 billion, including performance-based milestones and a separate $100 million equity investment.

The agreement gives Pfizer ex-China rights to a bispecific antibody therapy for treating colorectal, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancers. The drug will enter Phase III trials in China later this year.

For investors, this deal signals Pfizer’s intent to rebuild its pipeline after recent revenue declines. It’s also a clear bet on global innovation, despite rising geopolitical tension in life sciences.

The size of the upfront payment reflects confidence in the drug’s commercial potential and the growing importance of China-origin assets in oncology.

The cancer drug class—PD-1/L1 x VEGF bispecifics has gained attention after outperforming Merck’s Keytruda in recent studies. Pfizer now joins peers like Merck and BioNTech in backing this emerging category.

This move also marks another shift in strategy as Pfizer relies more on external licensing to diversify its oncology portfolio and compete in late-stage development.

PFE currently trades at $23 and pays a dividend of $1.72 per share, a yield of 7.31%.

Beverages

PepsiCo Completes $1.95B Poppi Deal to Expand Health Drink Lineup

PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) has completed its $1.95 billion acquisition of Poppi, a rising prebiotic soda brand. After expected tax benefits, the net cost comes to around $1.65 billion. The deal includes additional performance-based payouts tied to future growth.

Poppi, known for its low-calorie sodas made with fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and prebiotics, has become a hit among Gen Z and millennial consumers. Its strong brand identity and focus on gut health have helped it stand out in the crowded beverage space.

Such a strategic play shows PepsiCo is serious about expanding into functional beverages and adapting to new consumer demands. For investors, this means PepsiCo is actively reducing its reliance on traditional soda lines and positioning itself for long-term category growth. The company is not just defending market share, but shifting with it.

Poppi joins other health-focused names like Siete and Sabra under the PepsiCo banner. With its global scale and distribution power, PepsiCo is expected to grow Poppi without slowing its momentum.

Now that the deal is done, execution will be key, especially in keeping Poppi’s brand appeal intact while expanding availability.

PEP currently trades at $131 and pays a dividend of $5.69 per share, a yield of 4.35%.

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Capital Markets

Texas Instruments Taps Bond Market with $1.2B Offering for Long-Term Use

Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) has raised $1.2 billion through a new bond offering to support general corporate activities. The offering includes two sets of bonds: $550 million with a 4.5% interest rate maturing in 2030, and $650 million with a 5.1% rate maturing in 2035. The offering is expected to close on May 23.

The company named Barclays, Morgan Stanley, and MUFG as lead managers of the deal.

A move of this nature shows Texas Instruments is locking in long-term funding at stable rates to support future growth without relying on short-term credit markets.

For investors, this move signals disciplined financial management and a focus on capital stability—important traits in a sector where heavy R&D spending is the norm.

Texas Instruments continues to invest in analog and embedded chips used in cars, factories, and electronics. While the chip industry remains competitive, TI has built a reputation for steady performance, strong free cash flow, and careful capital planning.

With this bond sale completed, investor attention will shift to how the funds support product development, operations, and long-term shareholder returns.

TXN currently trades at $189 and pays a dividend of $5.44 per share, a yield of 2.88%.

MDT increased its dividend payout to 71 cents per share, a 1.4% rise. Its new forward yield is 3.29%.

NOC expanded its dividend payout to $2.31 per share, a 12.1% increase. Its new forward yield is 1.94%. 

NIC improved its dividend payout to 32 cents per share, an increase of 14.3%. Its new forward yield is 1.04%.

PBT lowered its dividend payout to 1.8 cents per share, a cut of 4.1%. Its new dividend yield is 2.04%.

KBWY reduced its dividend payout to 12.61 cents per share, a cut of 0.3%. Its new dividend yield is 8.14%.

EEA decreased its dividend payout to 2.97 cents per share, a cut of 21.0%. Its new dividend yield is 1.72%.

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Everything Else

• Retailers are still feeling the heat, stuck between maintaining margins and complying with a mandate to “deal with it” regarding tariff pricing. 

• To that end, Target slashed its full-year outlook, though it claims anti-DEI backlash is making things worse (as if tariff troubles weren’t enough!). 

• Lowe’s, however, is bucking tariff trends and a soft homebuilding market as it maintains its bullish perspective for the year’s remainder. 

• More UNH drama: the longstanding dividend stock is accused of paying nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers. 

• This just-released presser goes into more detail behind Medtronic’s decision to spin off its diabetes segment.