We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Long-Term Dividend Stocks to Invest in Right Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) stands against the other best dividend stocks for the long term.
The allure of steady income remains a top priority, come rain or shine in the market and for that, investors often prioritize stable companies. High-quality stocks provide investors with the opportunity to earn through dividends while also benefiting from potential price growth fueled by increasing earnings. According to a report by Hartford Funds, dividends have been a major contributor to the returns investors have enjoyed over the past several decades. Since 1960, reinvested dividends and the impact of compounding have accounted for 85% of the cumulative total returns of the broader market.
Before exploring the long-term benefits of dividend stocks, let’s take a look at how dividend investing has performed in recent years. The year 2024 has been particularly notable for dividends, with several major tech companies introducing quarterly payouts to shareholders in the first quarter. In addition, the sustained inflows into dividend-focused ETFs, even during challenging years like 2024, are a positive sign. This suggests that dividend investing may rely less on chasing performance compared to other strategies. Furthermore, US companies are on pace to set a new record for total dividend payments by year-end. This trend has left analysts optimistic about the future potential of dividend investing.
Over the long term, companies that pay dividends have demonstrated a remarkable history of delivering strong total returns. Data from the French Data Library, highlighted in a June report by Morningstar, showed that dividend-paying stocks outperform those that don’t, with high-yield stocks being the top-performing income segment in the US equity market since 1927. The reasons for this include the elimination of speculative companies, the financial discipline imposed on corporate managers by regular dividend payments, and the advantage of the “value effect,” where stocks with lower valuations tend to outperform over time.
READ ALSO: 8 Best American Dividend Stocks To Buy Right Now
Steven Wieting, who serves as the chief investment strategist at Citi Wealth, expressed the view that high-quality dividend-paying stocks across different sectors have the potential to deliver better performance than the broader market in the coming years. During a conversation with Barron’s, he highlighted that an increasing dividend provides a clear advantage to shareholders while also reflecting the financial strength of companies with robust balance sheets. He remarked that dividends are a reliable indicator since they cannot be fabricated.
That said, maintaining consistent dividend growth over time requires both financial stability and a strong commitment. Stocks that focus on dividend growth have historically outperformed the market, thanks to their potential for capital appreciation and robust financial health. The Dividend Aristocrats Index, which includes companies that have increased their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years, has provided shareholders with a remarkable return of 10.68% from its inception in 2005 through 2023, according to ProShares. In contrast, the broader market returned only 10.05% during the same period. Notably, the dividend aristocrats achieved these impressive returns with lower volatility, recording a volatility rate of 15.30%, compared to the benchmark’s 16.24%. This demonstrates that investing in dividend growth stocks can offer both stability and attractive returns over time.
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Our Methodology
To compile this list, we thoroughly reviewed reputable sources such as Forbes, Morningstar, Barron’s, CNBC, Times, and Business Insider. We aimed to identify the top long-term dividend stocks recommended by financial media, analysts, and experts. From our research, we picked 12 dividend stocks which are the most popular in the financial media these days. These stocks have strong dividend histories and are financially sound, indicating their ability to sustain dividend payments well into the future. The list is ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge fund investors, according to Insider Monkey’s database of 900 hedge funds as of Q3 2024.
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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is an American multinational tech company that provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. In Q3 2024, the company reported a revenue of $15 billion, reflecting a modest 1.46% year-over-year growth. This increase was primarily fueled by strong performance in its Software segment, including a rebound in Red Hat. The company’s generative AI business surpassed $3 billion, marking a quarter-over-quarter growth of over $1 billion. For the final quarter of 2024, IBM expects constant currency revenue growth to remain in line with the third quarter, supported by ongoing strength in Software. Management remains optimistic about achieving more than $12 billion in free cash flow for the year, driven by continued expansion in operating margins.
Under the leadership of CEO Arvind Krishna, who became CEO in 2020, International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) has reoriented its focus towards artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. This strategic shift has helped drive steady revenue growth. IBM stands out by providing a full technology stack via its Watsonx platform, along with consulting services to assist in the deployment and management of generative AI. Although the company’s stock performance struggled in the past decade, its strong presence in the AI market has led to notable gains this year.
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) has a solid cash position. The company generated $9.1 billion in operating cash flow in the most recent quarter and its free cash flow came in at $6.6 billion. It also paid $1.5 billion to shareholders in dividends. Currently, the company offers a quarterly dividend of $1.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.90%, as of December 11. It is one of the best dividend stocks as the company has been growing its dividends for 29 consecutive years.
Of the 900 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey at the end of Q3 2024, 56 funds held stakes in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM), growing from 54 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is more than $1.73 billion. Among these hedge funds, Holocene Advisors was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q3.
Overall, IBM ranks 7th on our list of the best long-term dividend stocks to invest in right now. While we acknowledge the potential for IBM to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than IBM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
