In this article, we will take a look at the 12 Best Slow Growth Stocks to Invest In.
On the night of November 27, during a week cut by Thanksgiving, stock futures saw minimal movement, with the Nasdaq Composite poised to end a seven-month winning run. All things considered, November has been a challenging month for markets. With this week’s advances, the three major averages have reduced their monthly losses, though they are all still on course for a losing month since some high-flying tech stocks have lost momentum due to concerns about high valuations.
However, some investors are hoping that this month’s decline will indicate that the major averages will see a year-end rally as they pick up stocks that have been unfairly hit at more appealing valuations.
That said, the US economy seems to be relatively stable despite growing rumors of a slowdown brought on by tariffs and other challenges. Though job markets have exhibited some downturn, nothing concerning has taken place just yet. According to Arindam Mandal, Head of Global Equities at Marcellus Investment Managers:
“Real wage growth has been positive for a while. Unemployment has drifted higher, but at a slow and controlled pace that can help ease inflation pressures. As long as unemployment stays comfortably below 5%, the economy is not showing the typical signs of a downturn.”
Our Methodology
For this list of slow growth stocks we focused on companies known for stability, predictable cash flows, and long-term durability rather than rapid expansion. These stocks exhibit modest but reliable growth rates, with a 5-year revenue growth rate of less than 10% alongside stable dividend payouts. We also used the number of hedge fund investors as a secondary metric to rank the stocks, as of Q3 2025.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 1.13%
Dividend Yield: 3.34%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. Following meetings with Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)’s head of U.S. operations in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, TD Cowen reaffirmed its Hold rating on the company’s shares on November 10 with a price target of $140. The meetings revealed a number of growth drivers that support Novartis’ estimated 6% sales CAGR from 2024 to 2029.
Existing medicines like Cosentyx, Pluvicto, Kisqali, Leqvio, Kesimpta, and Scemblix were noted as significant growth contributors and are anticipated to assist the company in overcoming generic erosion challenges, especially for Entresto.
TD Cowen also emphasized Novartis’ stronger foothold in immunology through Rhapsido and ianalumab, which the firm termed as “substantially de-risked” given recent clinical evaluations and poised to contribute meaningfully to growth before 2030.
Additionally, on November 20, the Swiss drugmaker revised its mid-term sales target for 2025-2030 to reflect a CAGR of 5-6% in constant currencies. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) also stated that it aims to return to margins above 40% by 2029, after absorbing 1-2 percentage points of dilution from the anticipated acquisition of Avidity Biosciences.
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is an innovative medicines company that discovers, develops, and manufactures treatments designed to improve and extend lives while tackling serious diseases.
11. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 3.01%
Dividend Yield: 2.70%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. Truist Securities increased its price target for Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) to $110 from $103 on November 20, while maintaining a Hold rating on the company’s shares. The gain comes after Medtronic’s fiscal second-quarter results, which revealed revenue growth led by the company’s Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) technology.
The company’s overall cardiac ablation solutions (CAS) division saw a 71% year-over-year organic rise in sales during the fiscal second quarter, owing to the technology. As PFA adoption continues, Medtronic’s CAS business is growing steadily: in the company’s last two fiscal quarters, the unit’s sales rose by about 50% and 30%.
Truist noted an operating margin miss and a modest rise in earnings per share expectations despite the revenue beat, attributing this to Medtronic’s increased reinvestment prior to several significant product releases. Although this investment is strategic, it is limiting the potential for upside growth and profit acceleration.
A prominent name in medical technology, Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) focuses on the creation, production, and marketing of device-based therapeutics. With notable breakthroughs in spine and minimally invasive treatments, the company ranks as a leader in robotic-assisted surgery technology.
10. Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 5.17%
Dividend Yield: 2.48%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 61
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. On November 21, Mizuho increased its price target for Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) from $131 to $140 while maintaining the stock’s Outperform rating. The firm cited a number of factors for the adjustment, including a longer exclusivity period for Biktarvy, with a US loss of exclusivity now anticipated in 2036 rather than the previous estimate of 2033 due to generic litigation settlements.
Yeztugo’s market potential was also emphasized by the company, which stated that the pre-exposure prophylaxis market might be “much larger than currently appreciated,” possibly reaching $15–20 billion.
Even so, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) has been under pressure for certain other products. A Phase 3 trial for HR+/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer revealed that Gilead Science’s cancer medication Trodelvy failed to fulfill its primary objective. The ASCENT-07 trial, which compared Trodelvy against chemotherapy, was unable to meet its main objective of progression-free survival.
Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in the areas of unmet medical need in the US, Europe, and internationally.
9. Accenture Plc. (NYSE:ACN)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 9.47%
Dividend Yield: 2.63%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 66
Accenture Plc. (NYSE:ACN) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. On November 20, Accenture Plc. (NYSE:ACN) acquired RANGR Data, a Palantir partner with extensive experience using a client-centric strategy to drive scaled transformation. The acquisition is expected to expand Accenture’s Palantir business in the US by adding 40 employees with experience in Palantir Foundry and AIP to Accenture’s team. It will strengthen the base of forward-deployed engineers who design, develop, and implement customized solutions in close collaboration with clients.
This follows Accenture’s current trend of continued investments in AI to speed up consumer transformations. To improve client capacity to monitor marketing ROI and boost revenue through AI-driven insights, the company recently invested in Alembic, an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform.
Accenture Plc. (NYSE:ACN) is also in collaboration with PPL Corporation and Apptio to create a new digital financial management platform that streamlines reporting and delivers real-time financial data for business planning.
Accenture Plc. (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services company that provides strategy, consulting, technology, and operations services to help businesses reinvent themselves using technology, data, and AI. It offers guidance in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, among others.
8. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 5.63%
Dividend Yield: 1.84%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. UBS reaffirmed its Buy rating and $158 price target for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) on November 21 in response to the company’s agreed acquisition of Exact Sciences.
In the largest acquisition in the medtech sector thus far this year, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) signed a formal agreement to buy Exact Sciences at $105 per share. The deal is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2026. Abbott’s Diagnostics division is expected to rise by about 300 basis points as a result of the transaction.
Abbott’s medical device businesses, which are primarily focused on diabetes and cardiovascular disease, will now venture into cancer care with this acquisition. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) will also add Exact Sciences’ flagship test, Cologuard, which screens for colorectal cancer, to its portfolio.
Beyond Diagnostics, UBS is adamant that Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) will consistently outperform its competitors in sales and earnings per share starting in 2026, given its medical technology profile and persistent double-digit growth.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is a leading global healthcare company that manufactures a wide range of branded generic medications, medical devices, diagnostics, and nutritional items.
7. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 6.90%
Dividend Yield: 2.65%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. Following the approval of the company’s rate dispute settlement by the Florida Public Service Commission, UBS reaffirmed its Buy rating and $96 price target for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) on November 21.
The Florida Public Service Commission has authorized a settlement deal with NextEra’s subsidiary, Florida Power & Light (FPL), which would set up new retail base rates and charges beginning in January 2026 through at least December 2029. This agreement also involves annual retail base revenue growth of $945 million beginning in 2026, with an additional $705 million in 2027.
The move gives NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) a boost ahead of its analyst meeting on December 8, where UBS predicts EPS growth of 8% or higher. The firm also stated that data center expansion, as well as investments in generation and transmission facilities across the United States, are expected to strengthen NextEra’s Florida-regulated business outlook.
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) is an energy company in North America that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity, with a portfolio comprising wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, and other clean energy sources.
6. Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 2.82%
Dividend Yield: 2.16%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. UBS increased its price target for Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) to $90 from $88 on November 13, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. The increase follows Cisco’s quarterly earnings beat and improved forecast, which were driven by robust demand from hyperscale customers, service providers, and companies investing in AI infrastructure.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) posted earnings of $1 per share, exceeding its own projection range of $0.97 to $0.99. The improvement was mostly due to a 15% year-over-year increase in its Networking division.
UBS also stated that early indications suggest Cisco’s next-generation Campus solutions are gaining traction faster than prior Cat 9K offerings. The firm expects that both of these product ramps will boost investor trust in Cisco’s long-term revenue growth goal of 4%-6% in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is a technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, and telecommunications equipment to connect the world. Its products and services span networking, security, collaboration, and cloud management, providing the critical infrastructure for businesses and communities to operate and thrive in the digital age.
5. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 3.18%
Dividend Yield: 1.47%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 76
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. On November 19, UBS reaffirmed its Buy rating on Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) with a $500 price target, citing estimates that the company’s adjusted earnings per share could return to growth rates greater than 10% over the next year.
UBS predicts adjusted EPS growth will increase from 6% in 2025 to “~9-10% Y/Y” in 2026, with potential for additional growth from new project launches. The firm believes that this growth will take place as Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) overcomes existing headwinds, such as reduced base volumes year-over-year and falling helium and rare gas prices. UBS projects that once these issues ease, Linde’s stock multiple will return to its usual levels.
In a previous note dated November 11, analyst Joshua Spector stated that the shares have a “2.5x up/downside skew” and that an acceleration in earnings per share growth in 2026 should be a significant trigger for the company.
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is a global engineering and industrial gases company that generates and delivers process gases, including carbon dioxide and hydrogen, as well as related equipment and technologies.
4. Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 9.49%
Dividend Yield: 1.54%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. On November 26, Benchmark reaffirmed its Buy rating on Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI), maintaining its price target of $285 in light of the company’s fourth-quarter results. The semiconductor company announced quarterly results that modestly exceeded projections, with performance exceeding guidance in all market segments.
ADI’s fourth-quarter revenue exceeded projections of $3.01 billion, coming in at $3.08 billion, while its adjusted earnings of $2.26 per share surpassed the $2.22 per share projections. Looking forward, Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) anticipates $3.1 billion in revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an operating margin of 43.5%, and an expected EPS of $2.29.
The majority of Analog Devices’ end markets have bottomed out and are in the early phases of recovery, according to Benchmark, laying the groundwork for widespread growth that is anticipated to fuel robust increase in fiscal year 2026. Although the firm noted that there remain some areas of concern, especially concerning seasonal consumer business and first-quarter automotive performance, Benchmark believes Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) is well-positioned for both long-term steady content expansion and cyclical recovery.
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) is a Massachusetts-based company specializing in integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems products.
3. The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 7.67%
Dividend Yield: 2.59%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. On November 19, TD Cowen retained its Buy rating on The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) but lowered its price target from $470 to $410. The adjustment followed Home Depot’s third-quarter result, which fell short of Street expectations, alongside a reduction in the fourth-quarter forecast and a shift in the company’s macroeconomic outlook.
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) reduced its outlook for full-year 2025 earnings per share to roughly $14.50 from the previous average expectation of $15.00. The company’s management identified continuous deterioration in the housing market and ongoing consumer uncertainty as the primary variables limiting demand. Inventory levels rose 10% year-over-year, leading to concerns about gross margins, which are expected to fall around 75 basis points in the fourth quarter.
However, TD Cowen remains optimistic about Home Depot’s prospects, claiming that the store has “more ways to win versus peers” in the home improvement retail industry.
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, operating over 2,300 stores that offer a wide selection of tools, building materials, appliances, and services for both DIY and professional projects.
2. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 5.38%
Dividend Yield: 0.86%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. DA Davidson boosted its price target for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to $130 from $117 on November 21, maintaining a Buy rating on the retail giant’s shares. Walmart’s price target hike comes after the company’s solid third-quarter results, which included 4.5% comparable sales growth (excluding fuel) in the US, 3.8% growth at Sam’s Club, and 11% overseas sales growth in constant currency. DA Davidson stated that Walmart’s results proved to be “largely better” than those of other big-box retailers.
DA Davidson noted some deceleration in spending among low-end consumers, which was consistent with the firm’s earnings forecast for retail this quarter.
Despite this reduction, the firm stated that the retailer’s “remarkably consistent results” indicate that Walmart’s convenience strategy is successfully attracting higher-income customers.
Truist Securities also lifted its price target for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to $119 on the same day, citing the company’s robust margins and strong growth in alternative revenue sources, especially advertising, which increased by 53% overall and 33% in the US.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) ranks as the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer, with over 100,000 stores. The company’s sectors include Walmart US, Walmart International, and Sam’s Club, which provide a wide range of products, including clothes, electronics, and home furnishings.
1. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)
5-Year Revenue Growth: 7.66%
Dividend Yield: 1.21%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 107
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) ranks among the best slow growth stocks to invest in. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) secured an Outperform rating by Bernstein SocGen Group on November 14, with a price target of $129. The affirmation came following Disney’s earnings reports, which the firm admitted “weren’t clean,” while highlighting that the company’s long-term investment thesis remains consistent.
Disney’s entertainment unit’s revenue declined 6% from the previous year to $10.21 billion, led by linear TV channels and theatrical releases. However, streaming emerged as the company’s bright light as consumers shifted away from the pay TV bundle. Operating income for linear networks fell 21% to $391 million, though it jumped 39% to $352 million for streaming. As Disney’s streaming service pricing rose, so did its operating income.
Bernstein emphasized Disney’s ability to generate double-digit growth in earnings per share, which it characterized as “still not easy to find” for an entity of Disney’s size, especially without depending on trends in AI.
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is a global leader in family entertainment and media, operating through five main business segments and iconic brands like Disney.
While we acknowledge the potential of DIS to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DIS and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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