If history is any indication, the best thing you can do with your cash is buy dividend stocks. Study after study reinforces the idea that dividend stocks outperform others by a wide margin.

For example, J.P. Morgan Asset Management found that stocks that initiated and then raised their payouts over the 40-year period between 1972 and 2012 returned an average of 9.5% annually versus just 1.6% for non-dividend-paying stocks.

That's why Smith & Wesson Brands' (NASDAQ: SWBI) decision to hike its payout 25% should make this stock a buy for income investors.

Image source: Getty Images.

Sharing success with investors

The firearms manufacturer began paying a quarterly dividend only following its spinoff of American Outdoor Brands in 2020. While that first dividend was $0.05 per share, Smith & Wesson hiked it 60% last year to $0.08 per share, and now, at the start of its third year of paying dividends, has raised it once more, to $0.10 per share.

Unlike rival Sturm, Ruger & Company, however, which has paid a dividend consistently since 2009 but does so according to a percentage of its net income (approximately 40%), Smith & Wesson's dividend is a fixed amount every quarter. While Ruger's dividend payment will fluctuate every quarter as its profits rise and fall, Smith & Wesson's remains steady.

CFO and Executive VP Deana McPherson says the board of directors was able to increase the dividend again because the gunmaker's "balance sheet remains strong with $120.7 million of cash and no debt, and we expect to continue generating strong cash flow for the foreseeable future."

Image source: Getty Images.

Primed for future growth

Smith & Wesson's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report showed that while sales were down from last year, they still handily beat Wall Street's expectations. Revenue of $181 million fell 44% from the year-ago period but was well ahead of analysts' prediction of $168 million. Adjusted profits of $0.82 per share also trounced forecasts of $0.57 per share , though they were down 52% year over year.

Business should continue to be robust, even if it's down relative to last year, as it is returning to a more normalized trajectory, one that has always been of greater growth.

The Supreme Court just reaffirmed the Constitution protects the right to carry a firearm outside the home. Weapons designed for concealed carry are a significant part of Smith & Wesson's business, such as its M&P Shield line, which is one of the most popular pistols on the market. Some 5 million of the handguns have been sold since it was first introduced in 2012.

Smith & Wesson has partnered with Vista Outdoor's (NYSE: VSTO) Federal Premium Ammunition to launch their new 30 Super Carry ammo, which was developed specifically for the concealed carry market.

A deep value stock

In short, Smith & Wesson's business is solid, it's willing to share its success with investors through dividends and share buybacks, and its stock is steeply discounted.

You'll never find Smith & Wesson Brands trading at rich premiums, but even after the stock jumped over 21% last week, shares go for just three times trailing earnings, seven times next year's estimates, and a fraction of its sales and expected earnings growth rate . At less than four times free cash flow, the firearms maker is a bargain basement dividend stock that is a strong buy.

10 stocks we like better than Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.
When our award-winning analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

They just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2022

Rich Duprey has positions in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.