15 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks To Buy

2. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 158

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is an American multinational tech giant that offers a wide range of related products and services to its consumers. With 2.2 billion Apple devices worldwide, the company has a vast platform for introducing its AI services. Several new Apple Intelligence features are slated for 2025, including enhancements to Siri that will make it easier for users to locate messages and share files and photos. In addition, the company could explore AI-driven subscription services, opening up further revenue potential.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) posted a revenue of $94.9 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the same quarter the previous year. Product revenue reached nearly $70 billion, up from $67 billion in the same period in 2023. Street analysts expect a robust 2025 for the company, forecasting a 6% growth rate. Notably, earnings per share (EPS) are expected to rise by 21.5%, fueled by enhanced profitability margins from Apple’s wide range of high-growth services. The upcoming quarters, particularly the holiday shopping season, will play a pivotal role in assessing the initial impact of Apple Intelligence.

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.”

In addition to strong performance and positive outlook, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s cash position also makes it an attractive opportunity for investors. In the most recent quarter, the company reported an operating cash flow of $27 billion and paid $29 billion to shareholders. Currently, it pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.42%, as of January 15.

As of the end of Q3 2024, 158 hedge funds owned stakes in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), according to Insider Monkey’s database. These stakes have a total value of roughly $110 billion. With 300 million shares, Berkshire Hathaway was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q3.