Investing

Why 5 of Warren Buffett's Highest-Yielding Stocks May Be the Best 2022 Ideas Now

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If any investor has stood the test of time, it is Warren Buffett, and with good reason. For years, the “Oracle of Omaha” has had a rock-star-like presence in the investing world. His annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting draws thousands of loyal fans that are investors. Known for his long buy-and-hold strategies and his massive portfolio of public and private holdings, he remains one of the preeminent investors in the world.

With the market churning back and forth this year, up 2% and then back down 2%, while interest rates are rising and inflation rages at the highest levels in 40 years, we thought it may be important to look for buy-and-hold stocks that pay the biggest dividends in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio. Why? Because the best tactic for the rest of this year, and perhaps beyond, is to buy dividend blue chips, hold them and let the stock market find its footing. Trading this market has become difficult, and with algorithm program trading often skewing performance, the Buffett way may be the best way.

While the following five Buffett holdings are Buy rated at major Wall Street firms, it is important to remember that no single analyst report should be used as a sole basis for any buying or selling decision.

Amgen

This biotech giant remains a safer way to play the massive potential growth in biosimilars. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers human therapeutics worldwide. It focuses on inflammation, oncology/hematology, bone health, cardiovascular disease, nephrology and neuroscience.

The company’s products include the following:

  • Enbrel to treat plaque psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis
  • Neulasta reduces the chance of infection due a low white blood cell count in patients with cancer
  • Prolia to treat postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
  • Xgeva for skeletal-related events prevention
  • Otezla for the treatment of adult patients with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease
  • Aranesp to treat a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells and anemia
  • Kyprolis to treat patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma
  • Repatha, which reduces the risks of myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary revascularization

Shareholders receive a 3.06% dividend. Jefferies has a $280 target price on Amgen stock. The consensus target is lower at $246.94, and the final trade for Wednesday came in at $255.38 a share.

Bank of New York Mellon

Founded in 1784, this is the oldest company in the Fortune 500. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE: BK) provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through the following three segments.
The Investment Service segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds services, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, brokerage and data analytics, clearing, investment, wealth and retirement solutions, technology and enterprise data management, trading, corporate trust, depositary receipts, payments, foreign exchange, liquidity management, receivables processing and payables management, trade finance and processing, collateral management and tri-party services.

The Investment and Wealth Management segment provides diversified investment management strategies and distribution of investment products, investment management, custody, wealth and estate planning, private banking, investment and information management services.

The Other segment engages in the leasing, corporate treasury, derivative and other trading, corporate and bank-owned life insurance, renewable energy investment and business exit activities. It serves central banks and sovereigns, financial institutions, asset managers, insurance companies, corporations, local authorities and high net-worth individuals and family offices.

Shareholders receive a 2.92% dividend. Deutsche Bank has a Wall Street high $74 price target. The consensus target on Bank of New York Mellon stock is $68.43, and Wednesday’s final trade came in at $47.00 a share.

Chevron

This integrated giant is a safer way for investors looking to get positioned in the energy sector, as it has a solid position when it comes to natural gas. Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) engages in integrated energy and chemicals operations worldwide. The company operates in two segments.

The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage and marketing of natural gas, as well as operating a gas-to-liquids plant.

The Downstream segment engages in refining crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels; transporting crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car; and manufacturing and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It is also involved in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities and technology businesses.

Chevron stock comes with a 3.31% dividend. The $191 Raymond James target price compares with a $170.11 consensus target and the most recent close at $172.53 a share.


Kraft Heinz

Even in tough times, everyone has to eat, and this company stands to benefit. Kraft-Heinz Co. (NASDAQ: KHC) was formed six years ago via the merger of H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods. The company is a leading global food company, with $29 billion of annual revenues generated by such well-known brands. It is the third-largest food and beverage manufacturer in North America, deriving 76% of revenues from that market and 24% internationally.

The company’s brands include not only Kraft and Heinz but also Oscar Meyer, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Velveeta.

Buffett holds a massive position of this stock in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio of 325 million shares.

Shareholders receive a 3.75% dividend. BofA Securities has set a $48 price target. The consensus target price of $40.79 is lower than Kraft Heinz stock’s close on Wednesday at $43.35.

Verizon

This top telecommunications stock offers tremendous value at current levels, and Berkshire Hathaway owns 158.8 million shares. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is one of the largest U.S. telecom companies. It provides wireless and wireline service to retail, enterprise and wholesale customers.

Verizon’s wireless network serves approximately 120 million mobile connections with 115 million postpaid subscribers. Its wireline business has undergone a period of secular decline due to wireless substitution and cable competition.

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.

Investors receive a 4.76% dividend. The target price on Verizon Communications stock at Cowen is $71. The consensus target is $60.64, and the stock ended Wednesday’s trading session at $54.41.


Given Warren Buffet’s proclivity for only owning the stock of companies that he understands inside and out, these five stocks make sense now for growth and income investors worried about the potential for a steep market decline. While they could sell off in a large correction, they will hold up far better than most companies, and they offer a solid future for patient investors.

 

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