5 Recession-Proof Dividend Stocks to Buy

3. UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI)

Dividend Yield as of May 23: 3.56%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31

UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI) is an American natural gas company that distributes and markets energy products and services. The utility sector usually remains stable during an economic downturn as demand for water, electricity, and natural gas tends to remain consistent in these times.

UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI) has paid common dividends to shareholders consistently to shareholders for the past 138 years, while maintaining a dividend growth streak for 35 years. The company recently announced a 4.3% hike in its annual dividend, which takes its quarterly dividend to $0.36 per share. As of May 23, the stock’s dividend yield was recorded at 3.56%.

In its recent quarterly results, UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI) posted an EPS of $1.91, beating the estimates by $0.07. In the past month, UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI) delivered an 11.55% return to shareholders, as of the market close on May 23.

The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey holding stakes in UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI) increased in Q4 2021 to 31 from 20 in the previous quarter. These stakes hold a consolidated value of over $167.2 million, up from $128.5 million in Q3 2021. First Eagle Investment Management held the largest stake in the company in Q1 2022, worth $310.8 million.