12 Best International Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

3. AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46

AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN) is another healthcare company that made it to our list of the best dividend stocks from the international market. In 2014, the company aimed for an ambitious target of generating $45 billion in annual revenue by 2023, which was met with skepticism from Wall Street. Despite this, the company not only achieved this target but also outperformed the broader market in total returns, including dividends, during this period. The stock has surged in value since 2014, more than tripling in price, following the company’s investor day event, which took place shortly after an unsuccessful takeover attempt by Pfizer. In 2024, the company again made a bold claim of achieving $80 billion in revenues by 2030, which we appreciate, but it doesn’t guarantee they will replicate their previous success. The company plans to launch 20 new medicines by 2030, which is inherently risky due to the certain outcomes of scientific research. In addition, competition and pricing pressures can affect revenue forecasts. AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN) is relying heavily on its oncology portfolio to drive growth, which may not be enough to achieve a target of $80 billion. Its oncology segment showed a 26% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of 2024, which does promise strong performance ahead, though there remains some uncertainty.

That said, AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN) actively invests in research and development (R&D). In fact, the company’s R&D represented 24% of its total revenue in 2023. This may benefit the company in achieving its revenue goal. Moreover, the stock supports a dividend yield of over 3% and has a strong dividend policy, which reflects the company’s commitment to returning value to shareholders. Its dividend yield is higher than most of its industry peers and the broader market’s yield of 1.35%. The stock has a forward P/E of 18.66, which isn’t too good considering its recent earnings and forecasts. The stock is currently trading at a share price of $79.

On April 11, AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN) declared a 7% hike in its annual dividend to $3.10 per share. The stock has a dividend yield of 3.05%, as of June 3.

At the end of March 2024, 46 hedge funds held stakes in AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:AZN), compared with 48 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkey’s database. These stakes have a total value of over $2 billion.