In this article, we will be taking a look at 5 stock picks by hedge funds. To read our detailed analysis of dividend investing, you can go directly to see the Dividend Stock Portfolio: 10 Stock Picks By Hedge Funds.
5. Merck & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 79
Dividend Yield: 3.1%
Merck & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a pharmaceuticals company operating through its Animal Health and Pharmaceuticals segments. The company ranks 5th on our list of stock picks by hedge funds and is based in New Jersey. It also serves drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, and government agencies alongside managed health care providers and physicians and veterinarians.
This October, Citigroup analyst Andrew Baum reiterated a Buy rating on shares of Merck & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MRK). The analyst also placed a $105 price target on the stock.
In the second quarter of 2021, Merck & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MRK) had an EPS of $1.31, missing estimates by $0.04. The company’s revenue was $11.40 billion, up 4.87% year over year and beating estimates by $208.55 million. Merck & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has gained 13.12% in the past 6 months and 7.58% year to date.
By the end of the second quarter of 2021, 79 hedge funds out of the 873 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Merck & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MRK) worth roughly $6.5 billion. This is compared to 82 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of approximately $7.12 billion.
4. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73
Dividend Yield: 3.3%
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) is a healthcare company based in New York and ranks 4th on our list of stock picks by hedge funds. The company offers healthcare products in hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, and immunology therapeutic classes.
As of this July Truist holds a Buy rating and a $74 price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY).
In the second quarter of 2021, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) had an EPS of $1.93, beating estimates by $0.03. The company’s revenue was $11.70 billion, up 15.54% year over year and beating estimates by $474.30 million. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) has gained 0.52% in the past year.
By the end of the second quarter of 2021, 73 hedge funds out of the 873 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) worth roughly $5.2 billion. This is compared to 81 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of approximately $5 billion.
3. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82
Dividend Yield: 4.8%
AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), a biotech company, develops pharmaceuticals for sale across the globe. The company ranks 3rd on our list of stock picks by hedge funds and offers a range of effective therapies and treatments like their HUMIRA, SKYRIZI, and RINVOQ products.
This September, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott reiterated an Overweight rating on shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV). The analyst also has a $140 price target on the stock.
In the second quarter of 2021, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) had an EPS of $3.11, beating estimates by $0.08. The company’s revenue was $13.96 billion, up 33.9% year over year and beating estimates by $322.64 million. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) has gained 4.33% in the past 6 months and 5.01% year to date.
By the end of the second quarter of 2021, 82 hedge funds out of the 873 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) worth roughly $5.4 billion. This is compared to 72 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of approximately $5.9 billion.
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68
Dividend Yield: 5.6%
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company that explores and produces crude oil and natural gas in America and internationally. The company ranks 2nd on our list of stock picks by hedge funds and also manufactures, trades, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals, and other specialty products.
This October, analyst Neal Dingmann from Truist raised his price target on shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) from $64 to $66. The analyst also reiterated a Hold rating on the stock.
In the second quarter of 2021, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) had an EPS of $1.10, beating estimates by $0.11. The company’s revenue was $67.74 billion, up 107.77% year over year and beating estimates by $3.02 billion. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has gained 10.32% in the past 6 months and 48.87% year to date.
By the end of the second quarter of 2021, 68 hedge funds out of the 873 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) worth roughly $3.7 billion. This is compared to 65 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of approximately $2.8 billion.
1. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68
Dividend Yield: 7.7%
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a communication services company that is next and last on our list of stock picks by hedge funds, ranking 1st. The company offers wireless voice and data communications services, produces, distributes, and licenses television programming and feature films, and also sells wireless devices and other products, among providing other services as well.
This October, analyst Craig Moffett at MoffettNathanson upgraded shares of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) from Sell to Neutral. The analyst also raised his price target on AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) shares from $23 to $28.
In the second quarter of 2021, AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) had an EPS of $0.89, beating estimates by $0.09. The company’s revenue was $44.05 billion, up 7.56% year over year and beating estimates by $1.32 billion.
By the end of the second quarter of 2021, 68 hedge funds out of the 873 tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) worth roughly $2.9 billion. This is compared to 63 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of approximately $2.7 billion.
See also 10 Best Biotech Stocks To Invest In and 10 Best Dividend Stocks Under $20.
