We recently compiled a list of the 16 Best Income Stocks To Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) stands against the other income stocks.
When it comes to income investing, dividend stocks are often the first choice for investors. These stocks offer regular payouts to shareholders, which are seen as a way to steadily increase income over time. This approach is backed by data. A report from Hartford Funds revealed that dividends have accounted for 39% of total returns on average since the 1940s. The report also highlighted that stocks with high dividend payouts have not only outperformed other dividend-paying stocks but have done so with lower volatility.
Income factor plays a crucial role in investing, as it can significantly boost overall returns, helping investors achieve the portfolio growth needed to meet their financial objectives. A study by Eagle Investment Management highlighted the income potential of dividend-paying stocks. The study compared the returns of a hypothetical $1,000,000 investment made on December 31, 2012, in the Dividend Aristocrats Index—composed of companies that have consistently raised their dividends for 25 years—with the broader market, assuming dividends were reinvested. According to the report, by 2022, the $1,000,000 investment in Dividend Aristocrats would have generated $93,212 in income, compared to just $55,726 from the market. This stark difference emphasized the greater income potential of dividend aristocrats over the broader market. Although this is a historical example, it underscores the importance of not only prioritizing dividends but also focusing on their growth to enhance a portfolio’s income stream over time.
Also read: 12 Best REIT Dividend Stocks To Buy for 2024
Dividend investing is not a quick path to success; it requires patience and a long-term approach. Over time, high-yielding dividend stocks tend to outperform those that don’t pay dividends. According to the French Data Library, while non-dividend-payers may lead the market in certain years, they generally fall short in the long run. Dividend-payers, especially those with higher yields, have consistently outperformed non-payers and even the broader market. The report, which examined returns from 1927 to 2023, found that non-dividend-payers delivered an annualized return of 8.7%, while high-yield stocks returned 10.9%. In comparison, the overall market returned 9.7% during the same period.
The report outlined several reasons why dividend-paying stocks tend to outperform others. According to the report, investing in dividend-payers helps filter out the most speculative stocks, as these companies are usually well-established and confident in their cash flow, allowing them to return cash to shareholders. Moreover, dividend-payers are more commonly found in the value segment of the market, and stocks with lower prices and expectations have historically performed well. Dividend payers often build a loyal shareholder base, as investors relying on income from their holdings are less likely to sell due to negative news. Lastly, committing to paying dividends fosters discipline within companies. Executives, tempted by the prospect of using excess cash for acquisitions or speculative projects, are instead compelled to act cautiously and prioritize maintaining dividend payouts. For this reason, investors tend to focus on companies with a proven history of strong dividend growth and high yields. In this article, we will further take a look at some of the best income stocks to buy according to analysts.
Our Methodology:
To compile this article, we screened for stocks known for their consistent dividend track records and sustained shareholder payouts over an extended period. This group reflects stability and long-term performance in dividend payouts. From this list, we further refined our selection criteria by identifying stocks with a projected upside potential of over 10% based on analyst price targets. The stocks are ranked according to their upside potential, as of December 13. We also considered hedge fund sentiment around each stock in Insider Monkey’s database, as of the third quarter of 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).
A scientist in a lab coat inspecting a cylinder filled with industrial gas.
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)
Upside Potential as of December 13: 17.63%
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is a global industrial gases and engineering company. It provides a wide range of gases to industries like healthcare, manufacturing, energy, food and beverage, chemicals, and electronics. The company is a solid dividend payer because of its cash position. In the most recent quarter, it reported an operating cash flow of $2.73 billion, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. Its free cash flow amounted to $1.66 billion. In the quarter, the company returned $1.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks. It maintains a 31-year streak of consistent dividend growth and offers a quarterly dividend of $1.39 per share. The stock has a dividend yield of 1.28%, as of December 13.
Despite ongoing economic challenges in the third quarter, Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) posted strong results, with a 9% increase in EPS, a rise in ROC to 25.8%, and a 130 basis point improvement in operating margins, reaching 29.6%. While managing short-term performance, the company also secured its largest-ever sale-of-gas project, expanding its project backlog to $10 billion. This achievement supports future growth in the traditional industrial gas sector while maintaining its commitment to disciplined investment practices. The stock is up by 6.26% in 2024 so far.
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) posted revenue of $8.4 billion for the third quarter of 2024, reflecting a 2.46% increase compared to the same time last year. The company exceeded analysts’ expectations by $9.33 million. Its operating profit was $2.1 billion, with an operating profit margin of 25%.
Mar Vista Investment Partners, LLC mentioned LIN in its Q3 2024 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is the world’s largest, global industrial gas producer. The company enjoys the highest profit margins and returns on capital in the industry. Linde’s primary products are atmospheric gases and process gases. Industrial gases have benefitted from secular growth trends in decarbonization and carbon sequestration. Moreover, the opportunity in blue and green ammonia and hydrogen are substantial. Projects in these areas are quickly being added to its backlog for future growth. We see these secular trends as long-term positives for Linde and the entire industrial gas industry.
Linde believes it can grow its volumes with new applications; the buildout of small, on-site plants using its technologies; and focusing on growing geographies such as India, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Brazil. Despite the long-term growth opportunities, recent demand trends have slowed due to weak global industrial production and a challenging year-over-year comparable. Among the regions, the U.S. remains resilient, with volumes flat to slightly negative. Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and China are all sending mixed to negative economic signals. We believe these slower trends are transitory in nature, providing an opportunity to purchase shares in Linde at attractive prices.”
According to Insider Monkey’s database of Q3 2024, 63 hedge funds owned stakes in Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN), which remained unchanged from the previous quarter. These stakes are worth over $3.6 billion in total.
Overall LIN ranks 9th on our list of the best income stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of LIN as an investment, 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 LIN 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.