This January sell-off has the same characteristics of every sell-off. Everything gets sold, regardless of the quality of the investment. In addition, it’s pretty clear that much of the selling is due to hedge fund quantitative strategies selling short everything in sight. This does provide investors with the kind of opportunity that only comes when bids are limited, and those with a patient, long-term horizon can score big gains.

When good stocks get sold, and they are either out of favor or just unloved in general, the opportunity becomes even greater. We screened the Merrill Lynch research database for top companies that are not only unloved, but that pay solid dividends. We further screened for stocks that were rated Buy and found four that could have solid upside and total return potential.

AT&T

This stock was just added to the prestigious Merrill Lynch US 1 stock list. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is the world’s largest provider of pay TV, with 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 shares trading at a very cheap 11.9 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.

AT&T reiterated 2015 guidance for double-digit revenue growth and continued consolidated margin expansion. Management expects capital spending to increase sequentially, and they 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.

The company says it is working with Salesforce.com to connect Internet of Things data from AT&T’s solutions into Salesforce’s Customer Success Platform. By connecting AT&T M2X into Salesforce’s Service Cloud, companies can automatically create and route service requests, cases or tickets through pre-built workflows.

AT&T investors receive a huge 5.69% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target for the stock is $40, and the Thomson/First Call consensus price target is $37.16. Shares closed Wednesday at $33.74.

Ford

This company posted record North American results last year, but Wall Street wasn’t that impressed as huge profits didn’t meet estimates. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) has reshaped its product line in recent years, and sales have been outstanding. With sales booming not only in the United States but in China, and six new models being introduced in Russia, the company is expanding market share, while maintaining a competitive pricing structure. This could be another banner year for the gigantic automobile and truck manufacturer.

The iconic F-150 truck remains the top-selling truck in America, and it has been the top-selling vehicle for the past 34 years, despite strong challenges from the competition. While consumers have bought vehicles in a big way in recent years, replacement continues as low interest rates, dealer incentives and increasing take-home pay make a vehicle purchase an easy choice.

The company announced a very conservative 2016 outlook by region and also a supplemental $1 billion dividend for shareholders. Some on Wall Street may view the North American estimates as light, but the stock has been mauled so bad, any disappointment looks priced in.

Ford investors receive a very rich 4.92% dividend. Merrill Lynch has an $18 price target. The consensus target is $17.59. The stock closed most recently at $12.20.

WestRock

Last summer saw the merger of two top packaging and containers companies, and it could provide an outstanding opportunity for investors as the stock has been absolutely mauled since the merger. WestRock Co. (NYSE: WRK) is the completed and merged entity arising from the old Rock-Tenn and MeadWestvaco.

WestRock is now the second-largest U.S. packaging company, valued at $10.7 billion, trailing only International Paper and its market capitalization of just under $15 billion. WestRock is expected to generate net sales of $15.7 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $2.9 billion. This includes the impact of $300 million in estimated annual synergies, to be achieved over three years.

Wall Street analysts note that WestRock announced a stock repurchase program last year of a hefty 40 million shares, equal to 15% of the shares outstanding. It also announced a very generous 17% increase in its dividend. Late last year, the company also saw a flood of investment from some of the top hedge funds, with as many as 41 adding the stock to their portfolios.

WestRock investors will receive a 3.95% dividend. The $55 Merrill Lynch price target compares to the consensus estimate of $70.56. Shares closed Wednesday at $37.96.

Qualcomm

This top technology stock has totally underperformed this past year but is a member of the Merrill Lynch US 1 list. Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) is still a Wall Street favorite, and many are sticking to their guns, basically saying that trading at current levels, with the stock at 12.6 times estimated 2016 earnings, it may be a tremendous long-term value. Qualcomm is a quality tech company with recurring royalty revenue and a strong footprint, so patient investors may fare very well.

The company is reported to be losing chip business, and activist investors Jana Partners reportedly has pressured Qualcomm to spin off its chip business for some time. Jana also wants Qualcomm to continue to cut costs, accelerate a share buyback, improve disclosures and refresh its board, which it accomplished when two new directors were added last summer. Jana is listed as one of the company’s largest shareholders, with a reported $2 billion stake.

The growth of 3G mobile technologies in emerging markets, like China and India, has had a positive impact on Qualcomm and could make a difference going forward. Qualcomm is and has been for years a market leader in the development of 3G CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technologies. It recently developed an LTE chipset that supports SCDMA (Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) technology. China’s mobile network runs on this, and it could provide the company with a huge leg up in years to come. The company signed a big licensing deal recently in China that gave the stock a solid boost.

Qualcomm investors receive a 4.16% dividend. Merrill Lynch has taken down the price target for the stock, perhaps readjusting their numbers, and the consensus target is $64.15. Shares closed Wednesday at $46.10.

Out of favor and yielding at least a full percentage point higher than the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond, all these top companies make good sense for patient buy-and-hold portfolios looking for total return.

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