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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) 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.
A senior healthcare professional giving advice to a patient in a clinic.
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).
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 112
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) tops our list of the best dividend stocks for the long term. The American multinational healthcare and insurance company has been facing challenges recently as investors grapple with the backlash following the tragic murder of the company’s CEO Brian Thompson. The long-term consequences of this event remain uncertain, and it is unclear whether it will have any lasting impact on the health insurance industry. At present, however, the situation has garnered significant national attention, with investors appearing taken aback by the extent of the outrage directed at the company. The stock is down by over 1% since the start of 2024.
That said, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) has demonstrated exceptional performance over the years. The stock has surged by over 420% in the last ten years, outperforming the market. This track record underscores the reliability of investing in a leading healthcare company, particularly as the sector is expected to see continued growth in spending. UnitedHealth Group has attracted investors by executing effective expansion strategies, including expanding into areas like home healthcare and analytics to diversify its operations. These initiatives are designed to provide greater value to both its partners and patients.
On November 6, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) declared a quarterly dividend of $2.10 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. Overall, the company has been rewarding shareholders with growing dividends for the past 15 years. The stock’s dividend yield on December 11 came in at 1.57%.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) was included in 112 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2024, compared with 114 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkey’s database. The total value of these stakes is more than $15 billion. Among these hedge funds, GQG Partners was the company’s largest stakeholder in Q3.
Overall, UNH ranks 1st on our list of the best long-term dividend stocks to invest in right now. While we acknowledge the potential for UNH 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 UNH 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.
