We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Dividend Penny Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) stands against the other dividend penny stocks.
For investors who look for potential for quick gains at a low investment price point, penny stocks can be an attractive but risky stock investment option. Stocks that typically trade under $5 fall under this category, but they can go as low as $1 in some cases. While many of these stocks are a red flag for high volatility, dividend penny stocks offer some security to investors as they balance the risk with some stability and income. They provide the added benefit of a regular income. Investors with high-risk tolerance often seek these stocks to enter high-potential markets. For those seeking to grow their portfolios without taking great levels of risk, dividend-paying penny stocks can be an interesting opportunity.
Often when prices spike in the market, the low-priced shares offer the opportunity to make attractive gains as they allow investors to hold a large number of shares for a small amount of capital. However, these shares also belong to companies that are often under-the-radar with the risk of prices sometimes even falling to zero. They are often considered stocks lacking liquidity and are highly speculative due to small market capitalization. Given their speculative nature, it is recommended to conduct thorough research before investing in penny stocks.
Unlike blue-chip companies trading on major stock exchanges, many penny stocks trade over-the-counter (OTC) or through Pink Sheets where listing requirements are more relaxed. With low levels of information available, these stocks are also susceptible to pump-and-dump schemes. Even though dividend penny stocks pay out dividends, they are not entirely free of the inherent risks and may wind up cutting dividends as a first line of defense when the market goes awry. The majority of these companies are either in their early growth stage or are companies facing financial difficulties. Many of these companies fail to perform or go bankrupt, leading to substantial losses for investors.
Investing in dividend penny stocks also requires a thorough understanding of financials and carefully selecting a portfolio. Investors should look out for a history of regular dividends and a reasonable dividend yield.
In a broader market context, penny stocks tend to underperform large-cap in the longer term due to their inherent financial risks and instability. Less than 10% of penny stocks graduate to higher stock data, while some end up getting delisted. However, there are instances of penny stocks performing outstandingly and transitioning into mid-cap and even large-cap stocks. While over 90% of OTC penny stocks underperform over five years, it was noted that small-cap stocks that pay dividends out-perform their non-dividend paying counterparts by over 2-3% annually. This might not seem significant, but these figures provide some context in a highly speculative market with less transparency.
While typically penny stocks are avoided by hedge funds due to their limited stability and scalability, some funds specializing in small-cap or high-risk investments do engage with these stocks. In instances where hedge funds identify undervalued penny stocks with strong growth potential, they may accumulate significant positions and sometimes influence stock price movements.
The number of penny stocks trading on American Stock Exchanges has seen unusual spikes in recent years and has significantly risen by 72% in 2023 alone; this has prompted market regulators to introduce stricter listing rules to protect investors.
Recent analyses have identified several penny stocks demonstrating bullish technical patterns and have shown promising trends, with breakouts above key resistance levels. As hedge fund involvement in a penny stock may indicate that the company has strong growth potential, undervalued assets, or an upcoming catalyst that could drive its stock price higher, investing in the best dividend stocks according to hedge funds can be one way to vette stocks within a highly fluctuating market. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best penny stocks that pay dividends.
Our Methodology
To come up with our list of best dividend penny stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we screened for stocks that have a share price of $5 or below, with 5% or above dividend yields. From this list, we picked 12 dividend penny stocks with the highest number of hedge funds using Insider Monkey’s proprietary database of hedge funds and their holdings, as of Q3 2024. While these stocks pay dividends, their dividend policies may be inconsistent or vary significantly considering their high volatility and risk nature.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 363.5% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 208 percentage points (see more details here).
A view of a large corporate office building, illuminated at night to show its power and reach.
Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN)
Stock Price: $6.03
Number of hedge fund holders: 15
Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) is one of the best bank penny stocks to buy according to hedge funds. Spain’s largest banking group offers a comprehensive range of services, including retail banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth management, insurance, and digital payment solutions. Banco Santander has solidified its position as a leading multinational financial institution with a significant presence across Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia.
In 2024, Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) reported a record net profit of €12.57 billion. This marks the third consecutive year of record earnings for the bank. This strong financial performance was driven by higher net interest and fee incomes, as the bank successfully capitalized on favorable market conditions. In response to its strong capital generation, the company announced a €10 billion share buyback program.
In February 2025, Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) launched its fully digital subsidiary, Openbank, in Mexico. This marks a significant step toward expanding its digital presence. In a broader strategy context, this is a step forward towards tapping into the growing Latin American market, as the bank plans to invest approximately $2.1 billion over the next three years to enhance technology and digital offerings in the region.
In a complex banking landscape, the rising interest rates, pose both opportunities and challenges for major players. The higher rates have bolstered net interest margins for banks, however, the economic uncertainties and potential recessions continue to pose risks to profitability. Investors are strongly advised to consider factors such as market share, economic conditions, and management quality when evaluating bank stocks due to the fluctuating markets. However, Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) has managed to win strong accolades recently also being listed as the highest-ranked European bank among Fortune’s 2025 World’s Most Admired Companies. The bank has been recognized by analysts for its strong market position and growth prospects.
In a nutshell, Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) presents a strong global presence to navigate the ever-fluctuating financial landscape. For investors seeking dividend-paying stocks with growth potential, the company presents a compelling opportunity, supported by its strong financial performance, a focus on enhancing shareholder value, and positive analyst endorsements.
Overall SAN ranks 8th on our list of the best dividend penny stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of SAN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a stock that is more promising than SAN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stock To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
