Equitable Holdings, Inc. (EQH) is highlighted as an attractive dividend stock with a 2.25% yield, outperforming its industry average of 1.57%. The company has increased its annualized dividend by 14.3% year-over-year and maintains a conservative 18% payout ratio. With solid earnings growth projected at 15.94% for 2026 and a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), EQH presents a compelling investment opportunity for income-focused investors.

Equitable Holdings is diversifying its earnings base by expanding Wealth Management and Asset Management operations. In Q2 2026, Wealth Management achieved $2B in advisory net inflows with assets under administration rising 27% to $140.6B, while AllianceBernstein reported $0.8B in net inflows. The company is building a more fee-oriented earnings profile with less reliance on traditional insurance economics, positioning itself competitively against peers like Prudential and MetLife.

Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating four companies for potential violations of federal securities laws and breaches of fiduciary duties. The investigations concern Sila Realty Trust's sale to Blue Owl affiliates, Esperion Therapeutics' sale to ARCHIMED funds, and a merger between Corebridge Financial and Equitable Holdings. The firm is seeking increased consideration and additional disclosures on behalf of shareholders.

Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating three companies for potential securities law violations and breaches of fiduciary duties. Kezar Life Sciences is being acquired by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals for $6.955 per share plus a contingent value right. Equitable Holdings is merging with Corebridge Financial in a stock exchange deal where Equitable shareholders will own ~49% of the combined entity. Urgent.ly is being sold to Agero for $5.50 per share. The law firm is seeking increased consideration and additional disclosures on behalf of shareholders.

Major M&A activity continues with Estée Lauder in merger discussions with Puig ($40B), KKR acquiring Nothing Bundt Cakes ($2B+), and Amazon acquiring robotics firm Fauna. Other significant deals include Corebridge-Equitable Holdings merger ($22B), Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals ($6.7B), and Abbott closing its Exact Sciences deal ($21B). Several companies filed for bankruptcy including 23andMe and Applebee's franchisee NRPF.

Walmart, Lyft, and Equitable have announced major share repurchase programs totaling billions of dollars, signaling confidence in their business outlooks. Walmart authorized a $30 billion buyback (its largest), Lyft announced a $1 billion program (17.8% of market cap), and Equitable launched a $1 billion buyback (8% of market cap). These aggressive capital return strategies aim to reduce share counts and support earnings per share growth in 2026.

Equitable reported mixed Q2 2025 financial results, with earnings per share exceeding analyst expectations but revenue declining significantly. A major life reinsurance deal with RGA reduced mortality risk and freed up over $2 billion in capital.

The article explores three dividend stocks with strong financial performance: Toronto-Dominion Bank, Carlyle Group, and Equitable Holdings, highlighting their growth potential and dividend yields.

Equitable Holdings reported Q2 2024 revenue of $3.62 billion, up 8.5% year-over-year, and EPS of $1.43, up from $1.17 a year ago. However, the revenue figure missed analyst estimates by 4.35%, while EPS beat estimates by 2.14%. The company's key metrics, including account values and segment revenues, were mixed compared to Wall Street expectations.

Investors may keep a tab on stocks like HLNE, RL, SPTN, EQH and MDT, which have lately hiked their dividend payments.

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By 2027, Equitable Holdings (EQH) expects to generate around $2 billion in cash annually.