12 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2025

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1. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 158

5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 17.4%

An American multinational tech giant, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) tops our list of the best dividend stocks. The company has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading consumer brands and a pioneer in technology innovation. Known for its high-quality products, the company’s premium lineup—including the flagship iPhone, Mac computers, and a growing range of wearables and accessories—has earned widespread acclaim and strong customer loyalty. The stock has surged by over 28% in the past 12 months.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported revenue of $94.9 billion, which saw a 6% growth from the same period last year. The Products revenue came in at nearly $70 billion, up from $67 billion in the prior-year period. With over 2.2 billion active Apple devices globally, Apple Intelligence is poised to bring AI capabilities to a vast audience through a user-friendly interface. The company is expected to gain from heightened interest in new technology, sparking a refresh cycle, as well as from a stable macroeconomic environment.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also reported a strong cash position in the most recent quarter. The company’s operating cash flow came in at $27 billion and it returned $29 billion to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases. It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.42%, as recorded on January 13.

Parnassus Investments mentioned AAPL in its Q3 2024 investor letter:

“Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares rose during the quarter, making our underweight position a relative detractor. Investors reacted positively to the new iPhone 16 lineup and its advanced features, including generative artificial intelligence, greater durability and increased processing power.”

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was included in 158 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2024, according to Insider Monkey’s database. The stakes held by these funds are worth nearly $110 billion.

Overall, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ranks first on our list of the best dividend stocks. While we acknowledge the potential for AAPL to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AAPL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. 

READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock.

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