12 Most Reliable Dividend Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds

10. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is an American multinational footwear and apparel company that offers products for men, women, and children. According to analysts, despite recent challenges and two decades of flat operating margins, the company presents a compelling investment opportunity. The optimistic outlook is largely based on the company’s scale, legacy, and extensive network of partner athletes. While Nike operates in one of the world’s most competitive industries, its scale enables it to invest billions annually to collaborate with top athletes and maintain a presence at premier sporting events. This visibility keeps the company in the spotlight and drives consistent demand year after year. Notably, about three-quarters of NBA players wear Nike or Jordan brand shoes, and half of the players in the 2022 FIFA World Cup donned Nike uniforms. This strong market position should allow Nike to continue signing top athletes across generations, provided management executes effectively.

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) reported mixed earnings in fiscal Q2 2025. The company posted revenue of $12.35 billion, down 7.7% from the same period last year. Its wholesale revenues also fell by 3% on a YoY basis at $6.9 billion. The company’s inventories stood at $8.0 billion, unchanged from the previous year. This stability resulted from an increase in units, balanced by reduced product input costs and changes in the product mix.

That said, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)’s cash position remained stable in Q2 2025. The company ended the quarter with $7.9 billion available in cash and cash equivalents, up 1% from the same period last year. Moreover, it returned $1.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, which makes NKE one of the best dividend stocks. The company holds a 23-year streak of consistent dividend growth. Currently, it pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share for a dividend yield of 2.25%, as of January 12.

The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) grew to 75 in Q3 2024, from 66 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is more than $5 billion. Among these hedge funds, Pershing Square was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q3.