As an income investor, choosing the right dividend-paying stocks can be overwhelming, especially when considering the expertise of Wall Street analysts and firms. To simplify this process, we’ll examine top-rated Dividend Aristocrats based on expert consensus ratings.
To identify these top performers, we used Barchart’s Stock Screener with three filters:
1. Number of Analysts: 12 or more (high)
2. Current Analyst Rating: 4.5 to 5 (Strong Buy)
3. Watchlist: Aristocrats
After running the scan, we found four stocks that deserve coverage, listed in order from highest to lowest average score:
1. S&P Global Inc (SPGI): With a 4.81 consensus rating and a mean target price of $589.22, SPGI stands out for its exceptional growth potential despite low dividend yield (0.72%).
2. Walmart Inc (WMT): This mega-cap retailer boasts 76% YTD growth and an average analyst score of 4.72, with a high target price of $115.
3. Becton Dickinson and Company (BDX): Despite recent price volatility, BDX retains an average analyst rating of 4.71 and pays a respectable annual dividend (1.82% yield).
4. Coca-Cola Company (KO): With the highest dividend yield on this list (3.10%), KO is also expected to increase its dividend within the next couple of months, maintaining its Strong Buy consensus rating.
While analyst scores are not definitive, incorporating Wall Street’s view into your due diligence can provide valuable insights. Remember, time in the market often outperforms market timing, and a long-term dividend reinvestment plan can lead to significant returns.
Source: https://www.barchart.com/story/news/30223056/4-highest-rated-dividend-aristocrats-to-buy-now