10 Best Dow Jones Dividend Stocks According to Wall Street Analysts

6. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)

Upside Potential as of February 6: 15.4%

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is an American apparel and footwear company, headquartered in Oregon. The company has faced slowing sales growth in recent years, with market share declines and lower profits even leading to negative growth. However, the company’s running segment showed signs of recovery in the second quarter, driven by the success of the Pegasus franchise, despite an overall 8% revenue decline. In addition, Nike remains a dominant force in basketball, backed by an unrivaled lineup of athletes who help promote the brand and introduce new signature footwear. One notable rising star in its roster is Caitlin Clark, for whom Nike has yet to release a dedicated shoe or marketing campaign.

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) also remains financially strong, attracting investors who prioritize steady income. The company closed the quarter with $7.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, marking a 1% increase from the prior year. It also rewarded shareholders by distributing $1.6 billion through dividends and stock buybacks. With a track record of 23 consecutive years of dividend growth, NKE is one of the best dividend stocks on our list.

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, having raised it by 8.1% in November 2024. The stock offers a dividend yield of 2.20%, as of February 6.

The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) at the end of Q3 2024 jumped to 75, from 66 in the previous quarter. These stakes have a collective value of over $5 billion. With over 16.2 million shares, Pershing Square was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q3.