12 Best International Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

5. LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40

LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB) ranks fifth on our list of the best international dividend stocks. The Netherland-based chemical industry company that specializes in plastics, chemicals, and refining. Recently, the company finalized the purchase of a 35% stake in the National Petrochemical Industry Company (NATPET), located in Saudi Arabia, from Alujain Corporation. Through this acquisition, the company expects to grow and expand its core business in the region. In addition to this recent strategic move, it has a long history of acquisitions and expansions, which has benefitted the stock price over the years. Over the past five years, the stock has surged by nearly 20%.

For the first quarter of 2024, LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB) reported better-than-expected results. Its revenue of $9.93 billion topped the estimates by $289.50 million, while its EPS of $1.53 beat the consensus by $0.16. Moreover, the company has upped its quarterly dividend by 7.1% to $1.34 per share, which gives its stock a yield of 5.6%.

In the last several quarters, LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB) experienced a minor decline in sales amid soft global demand for durable goods and higher energy costs in Europe caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region complicated the logistics for cheaper imports. Amid the issues it faces in Europe, LyondellBasell is considering strategic alternatives for its European assets, including selling, restructuring, and closing of certain facilities.

LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB) was a part of 40 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q1 2023, showing a decrease from 46 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkey’s database. The stakes owned by these hedge funds have a collective value of over $740 million.