Technology

4 Dividend-Paying Tech Stocks Highlight Jefferies Top Value Calls

courtesy of Hewlett Packard Enterprise

While rates have certainly gone higher over the past month, the bottom line is we still are in a low rate environment, and it appears one good thing to do when investing, regardless of your risk tolerance, is look for stocks that also pay a reasonable dividend. The combination of a stock’s price appreciation and the dividend yield is called total return, and it almost always makes for a winning investment combination.

This week’s top value calls from Jefferies highlight some outstanding technology stocks that also pay a dividend. While these are suitable for more aggressive accounts, they combine outstanding growth prospects and a dividend that may also be increased over time. All four are rated Buy at Jefferies.

Broadcom

This is the combined entity that was formerly known as Avago and Broadcom. Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO) is a leading designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of analog and digital semiconductor connectivity solutions. Its extensive product portfolio serves four primary end markets: wired infrastructure, wireless communications, enterprise storage and industrial and other.

Applications for the company’s products in these end markets include data center networking, home connectivity, broadband access, telecommunications equipment, smartphones and base stations, data center servers and storage, factory automation, power generation and alternative energy systems, and displays.

The company produces radio frequency (RF) front-end for LTE-enabled Apple products. Wall Street estimates that the company does 15% of its total business with Apple. Additional estimates are that the company has between a 13% and 17% revenue exposure to Apple in the wireless communications segment, which was guided up 10% or more quarter over quarter for the third quarter. Customer diversity and content for Samsung could be more than enough to offset slower Apple business.

Top Wall Street analysts like the leadership in the mobile, data center and broadband markets, and especially in the RF arena. Many on Wall Street see a cyclical rebound in industrial and communications demand.

Broadcom investors are paid a 1.3% dividend. The Jefferies price target for the stock is $185, and Thomson/First Call consensus price target is $179.04. Shares closed Wednesday at $151.53.


Hewlett Packard Enterprise

This company was recently part of the big split in operations at the iconic Hewlett-Packard. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (NYSE: HPE) is now an industry leading technology company that enables customers to go further, faster. With the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio, spanning the cloud to the data center to workplace applications, the company’s technology and services help customers around the world make IT more efficient, more productive and more secure.

The company recently announced a new partnership with Microsoft to offer new innovation in hybrid cloud computing through Microsoft Azure and Hewlett Packard Enterprise infrastructure and services, as well as new program offerings. The extended partnership appoints Microsoft Azure as a preferred public cloud partner.

Jefferies liked the company’s solid recent earnings, which were in line with estimates. The company reported impressive profitability in services, where operating margins were 8.2%, versus Wall Street’s 6.8% estimate. The company also kept free cash flow and earnings estimates for 2016 unchanged, and the stock trades at a dirt cheap seven times 2016 fiscal estimates.

Shareholders receive a 1.27% dividend. The Jefferies price target is $19.25. The consensus target is $17.64. The stock closed most recently at $17.31.
Intel

This leader in semiconductors is working hard to scale away from dependence on personal computers. Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) designs, manufactures and sells integrated digital technology platforms worldwide. The company’s platforms are used in various computing applications comprising notebooks, two-in-one systems, desktops, servers, tablets, smartphones, wireless and wired connectivity products, wearables, retail devices and manufacturing devices, as well as for retail, transportation, industrial, buildings, home use and other market segments.

The company also provides communication and connectivity offerings, such as baseband processors, radio frequency transceivers and power management integrated circuits, and tablet, phone and Internet of Things solutions, which include multimode 4G LTE modems, Bluetooth technology and GPS receivers, software solutions and interoperability tests, as well as home gateway and set-top box components.

Intel announced a massive restructuring recently, which also included a large number of layoffs. The company is moving away from its slow-growth businesses and will be using the cash saved to expand its high-growth businesses of data center, Internet of Things and memory.

The company reported an inline first quarter and lowered the forward outlook. Merrill Lynch stays positive on the company and believes there is solid upside if the stock is granted a 15 times multiple. The analyst also thinks the restructuring can ultimately drive EBIT much higher.

Intel investors are paid a 3.28% dividend. Jefferies has a $42 price target, and the consensus target is $35.49. Shares closed on Wednesday at $31.75.

Microchip Technology

This company is a huge Internet of Things benefactor. Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. The company offers microcontrollers, such as 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers under the PIC brand name and 16-bit dsPIC digital signal controllers, as well as provides microcontrollers for automotive networking, computing, lighting, power supplies, wireless communication and wireless audio applications.

The company announced last fall that its MOST 50 Intelligent network Interface Controllers (INICs) are powering the infotainment systems of the new Toyota Alphard executive-lounge hybrid vehicles. This is the latest deployment among a wide variety of the Toyota’s brands, which have used MOST50 in their infotainment systems for many years, including both volume and luxury vehicles. In the new Alphard implementation, Toyota is using MOST technology to ensure high-quality digital audio streaming throughout the vehicle.

Microchip investors receive a very solid 2.85% dividend. The $60 Jefferies price target is higher than the consensus price objective of $53.32. The stock closed Wednesday at $50.34.


Four outstanding technology stocks with value pricing and decent dividend yields that make a good addition to any aggressive growth portfolio. With solid business models and franchises, they make sense for those looking to avoid one-shot wonders.

 

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