In this article, we discuss 5 NASDAQ-100 stocks that pay dividends. If you want to see some more stocks in this list, click 10 NASDAQ-100 Stocks that Pay Dividends.
5. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 262
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 0.89%
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the biggest Nasdaq companies, with its market capitalization exceeding $2 trillion. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) initiated dividend payments in 2003, and the tech giant delivers a dividend yield of 0.89% as of April 25.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) declared on March 15 a $0.62 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on June 9, to shareholders of record on May 19.
On April 25, Credit Suisse analyst Phil Winslow noted that despite headwinds that are well-known and relatively transitory/cyclical rather than secular in nature, he expects Microsoft Azure to remain the focus of investors. He also believes that the transition to cloud remains strong, which positions Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) to achieve Q2 guidance for a quarter-over-quarter revenue growth increasing to 47% – 49%. The analyst, ahead of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Q1 2022 results, reiterated an Outperform rating and a $400 price target on the shares.
According to Insider Monkey’s Q4 database, 262 hedge funds held long positions in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), up from 250 funds in Q3 2021. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the leading shareholder of the company, with approximately 27 million shares worth over $9 billion.
Here is what Baron Opportunity Fund has to say about Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in its Q4 2021 investor letter:
“Shares of Microsoft Corporation, a cloud-software leader and provider of software productivity tools and infrastructure, rose during the quarter, following a strong earnings report highlighting solid demand for its broad product stack and continued momentum migrating its business to the cloud. Microsoft’s results continued to be strong across the board, with total revenue growing 20% in constant currency, beating Street estimates by 3%; an acceleration in Commercial Cloud revenue to 34% constant-currency growth; operating margins expanding to just under 45%; earnings growth of 23%; and free cash flow growth of 30%. We believe the company is positioned to deliver 13% to 15% organic growth over the next three years, underpinned by total addressable market expansion and continued market share gains across its disruptive cloud product portfolio.”
4. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 2.19%
AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotech company that develops and commercializes treatments for multiple therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infection, neurology, respiratory, and inflammation.
On February 10, AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) declared a second interim dividend of $1.97 per share, resulting in a full-year dividend per share of $2.87. The dividend was distributed to shareholders on March 28. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)’s yield on April 25 came in at 2.19%.
Morgan Stanley analyst Mark Purcell maintained an Overweight rating on AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) and raised the firm’s price target on the shares to 11,100 GBp from 10,200 GBp on April 21.
According to the fourth quarter database of Insider Monkey, 42 hedge funds were bullish on AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), collectively holding stakes amounting to $3.8 billion. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners is a significant shareholder of the company, with a position worth $1.13 billion.
3. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 0.64%
Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is an American multinational big-box retailer. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) began paying quarterly dividends in 2004, and as of April 25, the company’s dividend yield stands at 0.64%. The company reported on April 6 that the total comparable sales grew 17.2% in March, with net sales up 18.7% year-over-year at $21.61 billion.
On April 13, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) declared a $0.90 per share quarterly dividend, a 13.9% increase from its prior dividend of $0.79. The dividend is payable on May 13, to shareholders of the company as of April 29.
Tigress Financial analyst Ivan Feinseth on April 14 kept a Buy rating on Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) and raised the firm’s price target on the stock to $678 from $520. According to the analyst, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) continues to experience strong consumer demand and membership growth. The company is also positioned to benefit in a post-pandemic market as consumer spending transitions from staples to pricey purchases, resulting in further share price gains, the analyst added.
According to Insider Monkey’s database of elite hedge funds, 57 funds reported owning stakes worth $5.40 billion in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) at the end of Q4 2021. Arrowstreet Capital is a notable shareholder of the company, with 1.05 million shares valued at $597.45 million.
Here is what ClearBridge Investments Sustainability Leaders Strategy has to say about Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) in its Q4 2021 investor letter:
“Portfolio gains were led by a diverse group of contributors. Also in consumer discretionary, Costco, which operates a chain of membership-only big-box retail stores, continues to impress as it takes to share and becomes more relevant for the consumer even as the world opens up.”
2. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 4.25%
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) is an Illinois-based holding company that operates in the retail and pharmaceuticals industries. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) has a history of increasing dividends consistently for the last 46 years.
On April 12, Cowen analyst Charles Ryhee maintained an Outperform rating on Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) but lowered the firm’s price target on the shares to $50 from $55. The analyst updated his model after commentary on Q2 results. His long-term thesis for Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) is playing out but the analyst observed that the near-term macro environment is a headwind.
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) on January 27 declared a $0.4775 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend was distributed on March 11, to shareholders of the company as of February 18. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA)’s dividend yield on April 25 stood at 4.25%.
Among the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey in Q4 2021, 42 hedge funds were long Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA), compared to 37 funds in the earlier quarter. Stephen Dubois’ Camber Capital Management is the biggest shareholder of the company, with a position worth $182.56 million.
Here is what Miller Howard Investments has to say about Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) in its Q3 2021 investor letter:
“While optimistic about a recovery, we continue to balance our cyclical holdings with dividend-payers in stable, less economically-sensitive industries. We took a position in Walgreens (WBA) based on its low valuation, high dividend yield, and stable business model.”
1. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 134
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 0.55%
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is a California-based multinational technology firm that develops and distributes smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide.
On April 25, Canaccord analyst T. Michael Walkley reiterated a Buy recommendation on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), with a $200 price target on the shares. The analyst expects Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to report strong Q2 results with possible upside from solid iPhone 13 and Mac sales. The analyst noted that the 5G upgrade cycle will likely benefit Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for the next several years, with other hardware categories growing double-digits, as well as the company’s continued transition towards high-margin services. He believes the share price is compelling for investors with a long-term horizon.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) initiated dividend payments in 1987 and they continued till 1995. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stopped returning dividends to shareholders between 1995 and 2012, but has paid shareholders regularly since then. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) declared on January 27 a $0.22 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend was distributed to shareholders on February 10.
Elite hedge funds were exceedingly bullish on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the fourth quarter of 2021. According to Insider Monkey’s database, 134 hedge funds were long Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in Q4, compared to 120 funds in the prior quarter. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the biggest shareholder of the company, with more than 887 million shares worth $157.5 billion.
Here is what ClearBridge Investments Global Growth Strategy has to say about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its Q4 2021 investor letter:
“Despite these mixed emerging growth results, the ClearBridge Global Growth Strategy outperformed the benchmark due to resilience among our secular and structural growth holdings. The bulk of these contributions came from U.S. mega-cap growth stocks Apple and Microsoft which continued to uniquely act both offensively and defensively as they have through most of the pandemic.”
You can also take a look at 10 Undervalued Dividend Aristocrats to Buy in 2022 and 10 Smart Home Technology Stocks To Buy Today.
