Investing

4 Large Cap, Blue Chip Stocks That Pay a 5% Dividend or More

Lee Jackson

Published: November 19, 2015 8:25 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 5:01 pm

Despite all the hand-wringing over the beginning of the Federal Reserve interest rate increases, the fact of the matter is they will start small, stay small and happen at a very slow pace. In fact, most Wall Street strategists predict that by the end of 2017, the fed funds rate will only be 2% at the very most. It could be even lower if economic growth slows down between now and then.

With that scenario very likely, solid stocks with a big yield will remain in demand. We screened the Merrill Lynch research universe for large cap, blue chip stocks that paid a 5% dividend. We found two rated Buy and two that are rated Neutral that hit the dividend target.

AT&T

This company posted very solid third-quarter numbers, and many on Wall Street think the fourth quarter will be good as well. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is the world’s largest provider of pay TV. The company has TV customers in the United States and 11 Latin American countries.

In the United States, the AT&T wireless network has the nation’s self-described strongest 4G LTE signal and most reliable 4G LTE. The company also helps businesses worldwide serve their customers better with mobility and highly secure cloud solutions. With the stock trading at a very cheap 11.7 times estimated 2016 earnings, AT&T continues to expand its user base, and strong product introductions from smartphone vendors have not only driven traffic, but increased device financing plans.

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AT&T posted outstanding third-quarter results and reiterated 2015 guidance for double-digit revenue growth and continued consolidated margin expansion. Management expects capital spending to increase sequentially and also estimate that free cash flow could be better than $4.5 billion. Third-quarter wireless subscriber additions came in higher than many Wall Street estimates, and DirecTV saw positive video additions where many expected losses.

AT&T investors receive an outstanding 5.75% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target for the Buy-rated stock is $40, and the Thomson/First Call consensus estimate is at $36.96. Shares closed Wednesday at $33.54.

ConocoPhillips

This company may offer investors some of the best total return possibilities and Merrill Lynch sees it as a top yield play. It is on firm’s US1 list. ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) explores for, produces, transports and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas and natural gas liquids worldwide. Its portfolio includes shale and oil sands assets; lower-risk legacy assets in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia; various international developments; and exploration prospects.

Many Wall Street analysts feel Conoco can accelerate growth from reloaded portfolio depth in the Bakken and Eagle Ford, with visibility on future growth from a newly disclosed sizable position in the Permian. While Conoco reported a third-quarter loss recently, the largest U.S. independent oil company lowered its 2015 spending target in response to the lingering slump in crude prices. Solid cuts in unnecessary spending and the possibility of increased sales of non-core assets remain ongoing positives.

Conoco investors are paid a very strong 5.45% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target is a whopping $77. The consensus price target is much lower at $62.38. Conoco closed Wednesday at $54.48.

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GlaxoSmithKline

This top global pharmaceutical is rated Neutral at Merrill Lynch, but it could offer total return investors as solid portfolio holding. GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE: GSK) offers products in such therapeutic areas as respiratory, anti-virals, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterials, emesis, dermatology, rare diseases, immuno-inflammation, vaccines and HIV. It also provides consumer health care products in wellness, oral health, nutrition and skin health areas.

Earlier this year GlaxoSmithKline announced that its dividend would stay at its current level through 2017, a solid pledge for those seeking security. Earlier this month, the FDA approved the company’s Nucala add-on product for severe asthma with a very broad label. In addition, its ViiV Healthcare unit also reported promising Phase 2 data for its HIV treatments. GlaxoSmithKline is planning to submit up to 20 new regulatory filings within the next five years, which confirms a very strong pipeline.

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GlaxoSmithKline investors receive an outstanding 5.93% dividend. The Merrill Lynch has a $45 price target, and the consensus target is $45.67. The shares closed Wednesday at $41.

Las Vegas Sands

While the gaming industry has had a tough year due to issues in Macau, this stock has hung in reasonably well. Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) is the world’s leading developer and operator of integrated resorts. Its properties include the five-diamond Venetian and Palazzo resorts and Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Sands Bethlehem in Eastern Pennsylvania and the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Through majority ownership in Sands China, the company owns a portfolio of properties on the Cotai Strip in Macau, including the Venetian Macao, the Plaza and Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Sands Cotai Central, as well as the Sands Macao on the Macao Peninsula.

The stock is trading at the cheapest levels in years, and after a solid third-quarter earnings print, analysts increased their fourth-quarter earnings estimate to what would be year-over-year growth of right around 9%. While earnings growth is expected to slow over the next two years, the stock may be a solid value, trading at the lowest levels since 2012.

Las Vegas Sands investors receive a rich 5.82% dividend. The stock is rated Neutral at Merrill Lynch, which has a $52 price target. The consensus target is $51.93. The stock closed most recently at $45.99.

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As bond yields continue to stay depressed, and with investors still needing solid income alternatives, these make good sense. Conservative accounts should focus on AT&T and Conoco, while more aggressive total return accounts can look at all four.