LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 20, 2017 / Active-Investors has a free review on Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED) following the Company's announcement that it will begin trading ex-dividend on December 21, 2017. To capture the dividend payout, investors are required to purchase the stock a day prior to the ex-dividend date that is by latest at the end of trading session on December 20, 2017. Active-Investors has initiated due-diligence on this dividend stock. Register with us for more free research including the one on MED:

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Dividend Declared

On December 06, 2017, Medifast announced that its Board of Directors has declared a $0.48 cash dividend to its stockholders, reflecting a $0.16, or 50% increase, over the previous quarter's cash dividend. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share is payable on February 08, 2018, to stockholders of record as of close of business on December 22, 2017.

Medifast's indicated dividend represents a yield of 2.61%, which is substantially above the average dividend yield for the Services sector of 1.88%.

Dividend Insights

Medifast has a dividend payout ratio of 88.5%, which denotes that the Company spends approximately $0.89 for dividend distribution out of every $1.00 earned. The dividend payout ratio reflects how much amount a company is returning to shareholders versus how much money it is keeping on hand to reinvest in growth, to pay off debt, and/or to add to its cash reserves.

According to analysts' estimates, Medifast is forecasted to report earnings of $2.56 per share for the next year, which is substantially above the Company's annualized dividend of $1.92 per share.

Medifast's balance sheet remains strong with stockholders' equity of $108.2 million and working capital of $89.1 million as of September 30, 2017. The Company's cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities increased $18.9 million to $95.7 million as of September 30, 2017 compared to $76.8 million at December 31, 2016. Medifast does not have any interest-bearing debt. The Company's financial position indicates its ability to absorb any fluctuations in earnings and cash flow and to sustain the dividend distribution for a long period of time.

About Medifast

Medifast is a leading manufacturer and distributor of clinically proven healthy living products and programs. It was founded in 1980 and is the brand recommended by more than 20,000 Doctors. In 2016, the Company announced OPTAVIA®, an exclusive brand and product line sold through its community of independent Coaches who offer support and guidance to their Clients. Medifast was named to Forbes' 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America List in 2016 and 2017. The Company is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Stock Performance Snapshot

December 19, 2017 - At Tuesday's closing bell, Medifast's stock declined 1.20%, ending the trading session at $72.58.

Volume traded for the day: 63.25 thousand shares.

Stock performance in the last month ? up 8.28%; previous three-month period ? up 26.18%; past twelve-month period ? up 73.97%; and year-to-date ? up 74.35%

After yesterday's close, Medifast's market cap was at $845.56 million.

Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio was at 35.63.

The stock has a dividend yield of 2.65%.

The stock is part of the Services sector, categorized under the Specialty Retail, Other industry.

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