Avon Products Inc. (AVP) recently declared a quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share, which translates into an industry-leading yield of 2.4%. In late October, the company reported third-quarter earnings of 42 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8%.

Rewarding Shareholders with Outstanding Income

The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share, which translates into an industry-leading yield of 2.4%.

The dividend is payable December 1 to shareholders of record November 20.

Solid Earnings

In late October, the company reported third-quarter earnings of 42 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8%. Revenue slipped 4% year-over-year but was up 7% on a local-currency basis.

Higher Forecasts and Strong Momentum

The company is seeing bullish earnings estimates on the strong quarter. The full-year Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.70 per share is up 4 cents over the past 30 days.

For 2010, analysts polled by Zacks are projecting earnings of $2.17 per share, versus last month’s $2.11.

The share price, which is very close to a 52-week high, has seen strong momentum, outpacing the market by about 40% during the past year.

Favorable Industry Comparisons

Avon boasts a return on equity (ROE) of 87%, dwarfing the industry average of 11%. The company’s net profit margin of 6% compares to an industry average of 3%.

Read the Oct 20 commentary on AVP.

Last Week’s Growth and Income Zacks Rank Buy Stocks

Polaris Industries Inc. (PII) recently declared a quarterly dividend of 39 cents per share, which translates into an industry-leading yield of 3.4%. In mid-October, the company announced third-quarter earnings of 94 cents per share, which was below the previous year’s $1.13 but 12% ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Read the whole story on PII.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. (PVH) is seeing higher forecasts ahead of reporting third-quarter results next week. The full-year Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.49 per share was increased from last month’s $2.46. Read the whole story on PVH.

Harris Corporation (HRS) recently posted fiscal first-quarter earnings of 83 cents per share, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9%. The company also hiked its earnings guidance and analysts followed suit. Read the whole story on HRS.

Syntel (SYNT) recently declared a regular quarterly dividend of 6 cents per share, which translates into an industry-leading yield of 0.6%. The company also reported third-quarter earnings of 73 cents per share, eclipsing last year’s 54 cents and topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24%. Read the whole story on SYNT.

Zacks Investment Research

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