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4 Value Blue Chip Stocks to Buy That All Yield 4% or More
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The low yield landscape many thought would start to change by this year is looking more and more like a longer term event. In fact, Bloomberg notes that the demand was so strong for the recent U.S. Treasury’s sale of 30-year debt that Wall Street bond dealers were left with the lowest percentage ever for an auction of the maturity. They also pointed out that the auction yield of 2.596% compares with 0.85% on similar-maturity debt from Germany and about 0.4% in Japan.
What that means for savers and investors looking for income is that stocks with good yields will remain the best avenue for the foreseeable future. We screened the Merrill Lynch research database for stocks that were rated Buy, and had at least a 4% dividend. We found four that fit the bill that look like outstanding values now.
Crown Castle International
This top cell tower stock offers incredible growth and income possibilities. Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE: CCI) provides wireless carriers with the infrastructure they need to keep people connected and businesses running. With approximately 40,000 towers and 15,000 small cell nodes supported by approximately 16,000 miles of fiber, Crown Castle is the nation’s largest provider of shared wireless infrastructure, with a significant presence in the top 100 U.S. markets.
Numerous Wall Street analysts see the company as the cleanest play on U.S. mobile infrastructure spending. They cite the company’s low risk capital return strategy, upside optionality from the smaller cells and what they consider the company’s investment grade balance sheet. The company is structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT), so the dividends may contain return of principal.
Crown Castle shareholders receive a 4.06% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target for the stock is $92, and the Thomson/First Call consensus target is $95.17. The shares closed Friday at $87.28.
General Motors
Shares of this automobile giant look very inexpensive at current levels. Despite all the recall troubles and litigation issues, hedge funds and mutual funds are continuing to stick with General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), as many view the stock as very undervalued. GM trades near an incredible 5.4 times estimated 2016 earnings. The company, like Ford, has benefited from incredible sales in China to boost revenue. GM invested heavily in China decades ago and grabbed a big chunk of what is now the world’s largest auto market.
With the company facing continued possible punitive damages over ignition switches, there will continue to be a headline risk cloud over the stock. Long-term patient investors that can look beyond current issues may stand to make outstanding money on the auto giant, especially as oil prices plummet and low gasoline prices continue to push new buyers into showrooms.
The company reported very solid fourth-quarter earnings, and with gas prices staying at the lowest levels in years, and GM producing some of the best new models in years, the future for the battered stock looks very good. GM reports first-quarter earnings on Thursday.
GM investors receive an outstanding 4.93% dividend. The $44 Merrill Lynch price target is well above the consensus target of $37.71. Shares closed Friday at $30.82.
Occidental Petroleum
This is one of the higher yielding domestic stocks in the energy sector. Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East and Latin America. It is one of the largest U.S. oil and gas companies, based on equity market capitalization. Its midstream and marketing segment gathers, processes, transports, stores, purchases and markets hydrocarbons and other commodities in support of Occidental’s businesses. In addition, the wholly owned subsidiary OxyChem manufactures and markets chlor-alkali products and vinyls.
For the fourth quarter, the company reported an adjusted net loss that was worse than Wall Street analysts’ consensus estimate, as well as sharply lower year over year. The company is slated to report first-quarter numbers on May 5.
Merrill Lynch notes that the company continues to deliver capital expenditure cuts, and the expected total of $3 billion for this year is a mind numbing cut of 50% from 2015 expenditures. With a rock solid balance sheet, and a commitment to dividend coverage, investors look safe for now. Occidental has paid quarterly cash dividends continuously since 1975 and has increased its dividend each year since 2002.
Occident investors receive a 4.16% dividend. Merrill Lynch has an $85 price objective, and the consensus target is $73.81. Share closed Friday at $72.15.
Verizon
This top telecommunications company is rated Buy at Merrill Lynch. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is a global leader in delivering the digital world. Verizon Wireless operates America’s self-described most reliable wireless network, with 109.5 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and it delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.
Wall Street has applauded Frontier Communications’ acquisition of Verizon’s wireline operations in California, Florida and Texas. Many feel that focusing on the higher margin segments at the company makes sense, and the sale to Frontier is a huge cash boost to the balance sheet. Verizon reported solid fourth-quarter numbers with earnings slightly higher than some Wall Street estimates and revenues above the street consensus as well. First-quarter numbers are due this Thursday.
There was some chatter recently that the company was enlisting the aid of the firm’s AOL CEO Tim Armstrong to help with a leading role in exploring a possible bid for Yahoo assets. Verizon has not officially started negotiations, and the rumors are just that, but the company has said in the past it was open to acquiring additional assets. The Yahoo book is out, and numerous companies are pouring over it now.
Verizon investors receive a 4.4% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target is $55. The consensus price objective is set at $52.04. Shares closed Friday at $51.35.
24/7 Wall St.Four outstanding companies and, with the exception perhaps of Verizon, priced at value stock levels. With yields going nowhere fast, these all make sense for total return accounts.
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