S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend shares are typically slow movers with a solid track record of earnings growth.
However, these 3 shares might be making moves against the status quo to rally above 52-week highs in quick succession.
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ASX 200 dividend shares breaking above 52-week highs
Amcor CDI (ASX: AMC)
Amcor has been a steady mover, grinding 8.8% higher year-to-date.
However, its shares have managed to rally as much as 5.06% in the past week to an intraday high of $16.60 on Thursday.
This intraday high tops its previous February and November 2020 peaks, marking a new 52-week high for the company.
Analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) have highlighted a number of defensive ASX 200 dividend shares that could be top picks during reporting season, including Amcor.
The packaging business is expected to deliver its full year FY21 results on Wednesday, 18 August.
Using the last 12 months of dividends, Amcor currently pays a dividend of 4.1%.
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)
The Medibank share price is a top performing ASX 200 dividend share, rallying to 52-week highs in August.
Shares in the private health insurance company have added 7.72% in the past month and a solid 14.80% year-to-date.
According to Credit Suisse, the broker is forecasting a total FY21 dividend of 13 cents, or a dividend yield of 3.72% at today's prices.
Medibank's full year results announcement is expected to be announced on Wednesday, 25 August.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)
The Telstra share price has jumped 3.92% to $3.98 on Thursday following the release of its FY21 results.
Telstra CEO Andrew Penn called the results a "turning point in our financial trajectory", where the company's "second half underlying EBTIDA was up on the first half, and our guidance for FY22 underlying EBITDA is $7.0-7.3 billion, which represents mid to high single digit growth. FY21 NPAT and EPS were up 3.4 per cent and 2 per cent respectively".
The Telstra share price has surged 31.89% year-to-date, driven by moves such as a proposed legal restructure and selling 49% of its InfraCo Towers business to a consortium of funds.
The FY21 results also revealed a final dividend of 8 cents per share, lifting its full year dividend to 16 cents per share.
At today's prices, this represents a dividend yield of 4%.
