11 Best Annual Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds

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4. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

No. of Hedge Funds: 34

Annual Dividend: $3.99

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) holds a place in our list of 11 best annual dividend stocks to buy according to hedge funds. The company’s positive outlook strengthens with new updates on ianalumab and Leqvio.

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is a multinational pharmaceutical company focused on researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative medicines. The Switzerland-based company aims to improve people’s lives by discovering new ways to treat diseases. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) has over 109,000 people of more than 140 nationalities working for it around the world.

On August 11, 2025, Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) announced the positive Phase III trial results for ianalumab, a novel monoclonal antibody. The results revealed that ianalumab met its primary endpoints in both Sjögren’s disease and primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) trials. The drug has the potential to be the first targeted treatment for the chronic autoimmune disorder with significant unmet need, Sjögren’s.

In addition to this, on July 31, 2025, the FDA approved a label update for Leqvio, a cholesterol-lowering drug. The approval allows the drug to be used as a first-line monotherapy, thereby expanding its utility and addressing the challenge of patient adherence in managing cholesterol, a critical risk factor for heart disease.

Following these pipeline advancements, the stock received a Buy rating from Kepler Capital and Deutsche Bank, while UBS sticks to its Hold rating. Institutional interest in the stock remains strong, with 34 hedge funds holding stakes in the company as it offers an annual dividend of $3.99 per share for its shareholders.

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