The four stocks named in The Motley Fool’s October 7, 2026 article are Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), The Marzetti Company (NASDAQ: MZTI), and Weyco Group (NASDAQ: WEYS). The article reported an indicated yield of around 7.4% for Universal at recent prices. That figure is time-sensitive, not a promised return, and the available article text does not establish whether Universal’s dividend is currently covered by cash flow.
Here is what the article says about each company, its dividend history, and its business changes—along with the risks that matter when assessing the claims.
What the four stocks have in common—and what they don’t
The Motley Fool’s October 7, 2026 article presents four established dividend payers whose businesses are changing. Their situations are not interchangeable: Universal is diversifying beyond tobacco, Genuine Parts is planning a separation, Marzetti is pursuing acquisition and product growth, and Weyco is a much smaller footwear company.
The article reports dividend-increase streaks of 56 consecutive years for Universal and 70 consecutive years for Genuine Parts; it describes Marzetti’s record as exceeding six decades. Those are historical records as reported by the publisher, not assurances of future payments or increases. The article does not provide comparable current yields, payout ratios, or cash-flow coverage for all four, so its claims do not support a dividend-safety ranking.
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#1 Best Overall
Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV): the reported 7.4% yield
The Motley Fool article calls Universal the highest yielder among the four, reporting an indicated yield of around 7.4% at recent prices. The figure is the publisher’s point-in-time estimate; it was not independently checked against a contemporaneous share price and declared dividend here. Yield changes with share price and dividend policy, and it does not tell an investor whether the payment is sustainable.
Universal supplies tobacco companies rather than selling directly to consumers. The article describes it as the world’s largest leaf tobacco exporter and importer and reports 56 consecutive years of dividend increases. Since 2020, the company has also acquired fruit and vegetable ingredient suppliers, including FruitSmart and Shank’s Extracts, to expand into juices, purees, and flavorings for food and beverage companies.
Rank #2
What could challenge the investment case
The article reports inventory write-downs and softer demand in the ingredients business, alongside Universal’s exposure to tobacco. It does not supply a current payout ratio or free-cash-flow coverage calculation, so the reported yield and dividend record alone cannot establish payout durability. As Motley Fool contributor Micah Zimmerman put it, “A high yield alone, like Universal’s 7.4%, doesn’t mean much if the business funding it is deteriorating.”
Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC): a planned business separation
Genuine Parts is associated with NAPA Auto Parts in automotive and Motion in industrial distribution. The article says the company has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years and reports a planned separation by the first quarter of 2027, creating Global Automotive, built around NAPA, and Global Industrial, built around Motion.
Rank #3
The proposed split could give investors a clearer view of the two businesses, but that is a potential rationale, not a confirmed outcome or guaranteed source of shareholder value. The article describes the separation as planned; it does not independently confirm transaction status or timing.
The Marzetti Company (NASDAQ: MZTI): familiar brands and growth efforts
Known for decades as Lancaster Colony before its 2025 rebrand, Marzetti sells salad dressings, frozen bread, and dips under brands that include Marzetti and New York Bakery. The article calls it a Dividend King and says its dividend-increase streak exceeds six decades.
Its reported growth efforts include an agreement to acquire Bachan’s and the rollout of newer frozen snack platforms under New York Bakery. The article also describes sluggish growth, margin pressure, and the stock as near its 52-week low. These are the publisher’s market and operating characterizations, not independently verified current conditions; the available text does not establish the deal’s status or a current valuation.
Weyco Group (NASDAQ: WEYS): a smaller footwear business
Weyco is a footwear company whose brands include Florsheim, Nunn Bush, and Stacy Adams. The article reports record annual sales for Florsheim and a sharp increase in Weyco’s most recent quarterly profit while the company worked through tariff pressure.
The publisher characterizes Weyco as more volatile because it is much smaller than the other companies discussed. The reported sales and profit performance are not enough, on their own, to establish a durable trend or the safety of its dividend.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to assess the claims before investing
Dividend histories and business catalysts can help identify companies for further study, but they do not answer the most important current questions about income, risk, or price. For each stock, check the latest company disclosures and market data rather than treating the October 7, 2026 article’s descriptions as current financial verification.
Quick Recap
- Verify the dividend and yield: Check the latest declared dividend and share price. A yield is a moving estimate, not a fixed return.
- Assess coverage: Review recent earnings, cash flow, debt, and payout measures. The available article text does not provide current payout or free-cash-flow coverage for Universal.
- Separate history from outlook: A long record of increases describes past decisions; it does not guarantee future payments.
- Check catalyst status: Confirm whether the Genuine Parts separation and Bachan’s acquisition have advanced beyond the plans or agreement reported in the article.
- Match the risk to your portfolio: Consider Universal’s tobacco exposure and ingredient-business softness, Marzetti’s reported growth and margin concerns, and Weyco’s smaller-company volatility.
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