14 Best Dividend Stocks To Buy and Hold

Published on January 18, 2023 at 9:20 am by Hamna Asim in Dividend Stocks, Hedge Funds, News

In this article, we discuss 14 best dividend stocks to buy and hold. If you want to see more stocks in this selection, check out 5 Best Dividend Stocks To Buy and Hold.

Despite a slowing economy, investors remain confident in dividend growth to cushion their portfolios from financial blows in terms of eroding share prices. Alec Young, chief investment strategist at MAPsignals, told BNN Bloomberg in the beginning of January 2023 that dividend stocks are not only a source of passive income in a volatile environment, but these equities have also contributed about 40% to the overall performance of the US stock market. He noted that data suggests dividend stocks are the best performers during periods of peak inflation, which is the current case for the United States, with CPI inflation between 6% and 7%. Dividend stocks outperform non-dividend payers by a significant margin in times of economic turbulence, as per Young.

Similarly, Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, anticipates dividend ETFs to be favored this year. He appreciates the Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund (NYSE:VYM), which has companies with above-average dividend yields and provides exposure to defensive sectors. For tech exposure, Rosenbluth recommends the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (NYSE:SDOG), a fund that has the five highest-yielding S&P 500 stocks across 10 sectors, with equal weight holdings.

For more insights into dividend equities, investors can also check out 11 Undervalued Dividend Aristocrats to Buy, 12 Cheap Monthly Dividend Stocks To Buy, and 11 Best Dividend Stocks Yielding Over 6%. Some of the best dividend stocks to consider include The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD), Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH).

Our Methodology

We scanned Insider Monkey’s database of holdings of 920 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the third quarter of 2022 and picked the top 14 stocks that have been raising their dividends consistently for the past several years and offer stability in terms of business and cash position. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each firm.

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Best Dividend Stocks To Buy and Hold

14. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 2.26%

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) operates and franchises McDonald’s restaurants in the United States and internationally. It is one of the best dividend stocks to buy and hold, as McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has increased its dividend for 46 consecutive years. On December 15, McDonald’s and five of its suppliers signed a deal to purchase about 190 megawatts of power from Blue Jay Solar Farm. McDonald’s aims to cut greenhouse emissions by 36% by 2030 and become net zero by 2050.

On January 13, Loop Capital analyst Alton Stump kept a Buy rating and a $328 price target on McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) but noted that his latest franchisee checks indicate same-store sales growth was greater than expectations in Q4. Same-store sales were up 7.0%-7.5% in December and increased 8.5-9.0% for the fourth quarter, ahead of his last estimate for 8.0% growth and consensus of more than 8.1%, the analyst wrote in a research note.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) was part of 53 hedge fund portfolios at the end of September 2022, compared to 50 funds in the last quarter. Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater Associates is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 2.11 million shares worth $487.7 million.

In addition to The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD), Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is one of the best dividend stocks to buy and hold.

13. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 59

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 2.87%

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of the best dividend stocks to invest in. It is a reliable dividend king, and the company will announce its 61st consecutive dividend increase on February 16th, 2023. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) reported on November 30 that it has slashed the number of brands in its portfolio to 200 from 400, while doubling down on scaled global bets to provide beverages across different categories, including alcohol.

On December 20, Atlantic Equities analyst Edward Lewis said he anticipates a more constrained environment for the global consumer in FY23 as input costs remain high and companies will be looking to at least hold if not hike prices in some cases. In this context, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of his preferred names in beverages, as he sees category momentum, continuous investment, and robust execution driving elevated growth. The analyst has an Overweight rating on The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) shares with a $69 price target.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, 59 hedge funds were bullish on The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) at the end of Q3 2022, compared to 60 funds in the last quarter. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 400 million shares worth $22.40 billion.

In its Q2 2022 investor letter, ClearBridge Investments, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Over the last year, we have repositioned our portfolio to navigate the course we see ahead. We added to more defensive areas of the portfolio like consumer staples (The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)). While the next month or two will likely prove choppy on account of the Omicron variant, we believe that Omicron, like Delta, represents a speed bump on the way to recovery rather than a true change in course. We see strong economic momentum continuing in 2022 and we expect interest rates to rise. After a decade of remarkably low rates, we would not be surprised if this change in direction is accompanied by some fits and starts in the markets. With our emphasis on pricing power, purposeful sector exposure, valuation discipline, and a strong dividend profile, we believe we are well-positioned for the year ahead.”

12. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 1.54%

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) engages in the operation of retail and wholesale units worldwide. The company operates through three segments – Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam’s Club. On January 5, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced that it completed over 6,000 drone deliveries during the year from its 36 drone delivery hubs across seven states. As of the end of 2022, locations in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia offered drone delivery. The company is looking to expand its delivery radius in 2023. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is one of the leading dividend stocks to invest in, with 50 years of consecutive dividend increases under its belt.

On December 19, Credit Suisse analyst Karen Short assigned Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) an Outperform rating with a price target of $170, citing the company’s recent market share gains and positioning as a defensive name in an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

According to Insider Monkey’s third quarter database, 68 hedge funds were long Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), compared to 67 funds in the prior quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the leading stakeholder of the company, with 8.12 million shares worth $1.05 billion.

In its Q2 2021 investor letter, ClearBridge Investments, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“The pandemic has created challenges for businesses large and small; one major challenge for large essential retailers such as ClearBridge holdings Home Depot, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and Costco have been ensuring adequate staffing to meet demand under trying conditions. All three instituted enhanced pay practices during the pandemic, with raises, unplanned bonuses and other benefits helping compensate employees for their efforts in a difficult environment. In September 2020 Walmart raised wages for 165,000 employees, including a number of entry positions to $15 an hour. It followed this in February with a raise for 425,000 workers that moved its average pay above $15 an hour.”

11. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 0.74%

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Australia, Spain, France, Iceland, China, and Taiwan. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) has raised its quarterly dividends for 18 consecutive years, and the dividend growth outlook remains robust.

On January 5, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) reported December sales of $23.80 billion, up 7% from $22.24 billion last year. The company posted net sales of $82.16 billion for the 18 weeks ended January 1, 2023, compared to $76.34 billion in the same period last year. It is one of the best dividend stocks to buy and hold.

DA Davidson analyst Michael Baker on January 6 raised the price target on Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) to $478 from $470 and maintained a Neutral rating on the shares. This is based on the company’s December sales data, which showed improved comps in the five weeks ending January 1. The analyst noted that Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is the first major retailer to indicate a sales recovery compared to November, and the December comps are optimistic not only for Costco but for the short-term retail industry in general.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, 69 hedge funds were long Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) at the end of Q3 2022, compared to 64 funds in the last quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 2.5 million shares worth $1.20 billion.

Rowan Street Capital made the following comment about Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) in its Q4 2022 investor letter:

“Let’s look at Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST). Its dividend yield is 0.8%. Earnings over the next 3-5 years are forecasted to grow at ~10%. The current P/E multiple is a very pricey 34x for such growth rate. Now, Costco is an outstanding business with consistent profits and cash flows. However, the price that you pay is important (and you tend to pay a very high price for a “cheery consensus”) and if the earnings multiple comes down to say 30x, you internal rate of return (IRR) over the next 4-5 years will be around 6-7% from holding Costco’s stock. It’s a decent market-like return, but nothing to be excited about (only a few percentage points over risk-free rate).”

10. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 3.18%

Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is a California-based company that designs, develops, and supplies various semiconductor devices worldwide. On December 8, Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) reported earnings for FQ4 2022, disclosing non-GAAP earnings per share of $10.45, beating market estimates by $0.17. The revenue came in at $8.93 billion, up 20.5% year-over-year, outperforming Wall Street consensus by $30 million. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) also declared a $4.60 per share quarterly dividend, a 12.2% increase from its prior dividend of $4.10. The dividend was paid on December 30. The company announced that it would resume its authorized share repurchase programs for the remaining $13 billion.

On December 14, Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Seymore raised the firm’s price target on Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) to $590 from $575 and reiterated a Buy rating on the shares.

According to Insider Monkey’s third quarter database, Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) was part of 74 hedge fund portfolios, compared to 66 in the earlier quarter. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group is a prominent stakeholder of the company, with 1.05 million shares worth $469 million.

Here is what Carillon Tower Advisers specifically said about Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) in its Q2 2022 investor letter:

“Tech stocks, including Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO), were one of the hardest-hit sectors due to fears over a weakening macroeconomic environment. Broadcom, however, outperformed semiconductor peers as its end-market exposures provided relatively more defensive characteristics.”

9. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 1.25%

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. On December 12, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) declared a $1.13 per share quarterly dividend, a 15.3% increase from its prior dividend of $0.98. The dividend is distributable on March 10, 2023 to shareholders of record on February 15. It is one of the best dividend stocks to invest in.

On January 3, investment advisory Barclays raised the firm’s price target on Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) to $400 from $395 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. Analyst Carter Gould issued the ratings update.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, 75 hedge funds were bullish on Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to 70 funds in the last quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 3.90 million shares valued at $1.26 billion.

Here is what ClearBridge Global Growth Strategy has to say about Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

“In the U.S., we initiated a position in pharmaceutical maker Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) as it brings out new drug candidates for diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. New drugs impact diabetes but have also demonstrated significant weight loss for patients who are overweight and have other co-morbidity issues as a result. Lilly is one of the two key players in diabetes care and we believe the potential market opportunity is much higher than the consensus forecasts as we are seeing evidence of accelerating adoption.”

8. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 3.22%

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is an American multinational producer of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical segments. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s dividend payments to shareholders have grown at an average annual rate of 5.9% over the last 40 years, and it is one of the best dividend stocks to buy and hold. On January 13, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced that it would largely increase gasoline and diesel production at its Beaumont, Texas refinery, concluding a $1.2 billion expansion that was initially considered nine years ago. This would make the Beaumont refinery the second largest in the U.S.

On January 17, Scotiabank analyst Paul Cheng upgraded Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $135, up from $120. He sees better cash flow generation from refining, which favors Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) given that it has the highest refining exposure among the supermajors, the analyst told investors.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) was part of 75 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2022, compared to 72 funds in the prior quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners is the leading position holder in the company, with 33.8 million shares worth nearly $3 billion.

In its Q2 2022 investor letter, First Eagle Investments, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Integrated oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil performed well in the second quarter as continued high prices for energy products supported the stock. As the largest refiner in the US, the company has benefitted from wide “crack spreads,” or the margin between the cost of crude oil and the petroleum products extracted from it. Exxon continues to invest in refining capacity in the US, which industry wide has been in steady decline since 2019. We are pleased that Exxon has been using its strong cash flows to reduce debt and to return cash to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.”

7. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 80

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 3.85%

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is an Illinois-based company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. On October 28, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) declared a $1.48 per share quarterly dividend, a 5% increase from its prior dividend of $1.41. The dividend is distributable on February 15, 2023 to shareholders of record on January 3. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is one of the best dividend stocks to consider for an income portfolio.

Truist analyst Robyn Karnauskas on January 5 raised the price target on AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) to $180 from $160 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst cited accelerating prescription and share growth trends for Skyrizi and Rinvoq, as well as growth in Botox in the aesthetics mark for the target raise. The analyst raised her Skyrizi and Rinvoq numbers to better align with AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)’s long-term outlook.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, 80 hedge funds were bullish on AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) at the end of September 2022, compared to 71 funds in the last quarter. Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke, and John Campbell’s Arrowstreet Capital is a significant position holder in the company, with 3.2 million shares worth $431.60 million.

Here is what Baron Funds specifically said about AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

“AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is a drug developer best known for Humira, an immunosuppressant that is the best selling drug of all time. Given outsized key product risk (patent cliff and generic launches beginning in 2023), AbbVie has broadened its pipeline, highlighted by its Allergan acquisition. Shares fell on results that missed consensus and indications that legacy franchises were outperforming newer product launches, calling into question AbbVie’s long-term strategy. With promising assets in the pipeline and its robust cash flow profile, we believe AbbVie will grow well into the future.”

6. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 85

Dividend Yield as of January 17: 2.61%

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is an American multinational healthcare firm that has increased its dividend for the last 61 years, making it one of the best dividend stocks for a reliable income portfolio. On December 22, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) completed the acquisition of cardiac pump maker Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD), for $16.6 billion in debt and cash. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2023.

On December 12, Citi analyst Joanne Wuensch raised the firm’s price target on Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) to $205 from $198 and kept a Buy rating on the shares.

According to Insider Monkey’s data, 85 hedge funds were long Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) at the end of Q3 2022, compared to 83 funds in the prior quarter. John Overdeck and David Siegel’s Two Sigma Advisors is the leading stakeholder of the company, with 3.11 million shares worth $509.30 million.

Like The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD), Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), smart investors are piling into Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) for a reliable income portfolio.

In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Mayar Capital, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is currently our largest position and a long-standing holding. The majority of the group’s sales comes from its collection of pharmaceutical franchises, but a large majority (~45%) comes from its collection of medical device businesses and its consumer brands.

Here’s how JNJ makes and spends a dollar of revenues: As of 2021, about 55 cents of that dollar comes from its pharmaceutical sales – sales of drugs to pharmacies and distributors – while 30 cents come from the sale of medical devices, such as surgery equipment and orthopedics. The rest of that dollar in sales comes from sales of JNJ’s consumer brands such as Listerine mouthwash, Nicorette nicotine tablets and Neutrogena cosmetics (…read more)

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