Dividend heroes: the investment trusts that have increased their dividends for 20+ years

Funds tracking the Russell 2000 index offer investors exposure to 2,000 small-cap U.S. companies, often outperforming the S&P 500 during economic growth. The Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (NASDAQ: VTWO) is a popular choice due to its large size and low expense ratio of 0.07%, raising the question of whether it's the right investment option currently. Want More Context? 🔎

Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW) reported strong operational performance in Q2 2025, marked by increased leasing activity and a stable occupancy rate, as management prepares for long-term repositioning. With secured leases poised to boost future NOI growth and a solid balance sheet featuring minimal debt maturity, the company is well-positioned for capital initiatives and enhanced financial results by late 2026. Want More Context? 🔎

Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL) emphasizes a disciplined pricing strategy amid ongoing pressure on volumes and revenue. Despite short-term profitability challenges due to competitive pressures and industry overcapacity, the company continues to invest strategically in network capacity, technology, and workforce to prepare for long-term demand recovery. Want More Context? 🔎

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS), a provider of low Earth orbit satellites for cellular connectivity, has seen its stock surge over 330% in the past year, significantly outperforming the Nasdaq Composite's 20% rise. By addressing coverage gaps in rural areas with 2G, 4G, and 5G signals via low- to mid-band spectrums, AST competes effectively against larger players like SpaceX's Starlink. Want More Context? 🔎

GeneDx Holdings (NASDAQ: WGS) saw its stock rise over 8% following a strong second-quarter earnings report that revealed nearly $103 million in revenue, a 49% year-over-year increase, driven by a 69% surge in exome and genome testing sales. This performance stood in stark contrast to the S&P 500's modest 0.3% decline. Want More Context? 🔎

Globe Life (NYSE: GL) saw its stock price jump nearly 7% after being cleared of a regulatory investigation by the Department of Justice, which confirmed no enforcement action would be taken against the company. This positive news followed recent analyst updates and came after Globe Life had disclosed the probe's conclusion the previous week. Want More Context? 🔎