15 Best Dividend Paying Stocks to Buy Right Now

8. The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) is the company behind well-known brands such as Tide laundry detergent, Gillette razors, Dawn dishwashing liquid, Crest toothpaste, Pampers diapers, and Bounty paper towels. Many of its products hold leading positions in their categories, helped by decades of brand recognition and consumer loyalty. That long-standing presence has made Procter & Gamble the largest player in the consumer goods industry, generating $84.3 billion in sales and $16.1 billion in net income during its last fiscal year.

That does not mean the company is immune to challenges. Like many businesses, it has faced difficult periods. Since inflation began accelerating in 2022, Procter & Gamble has reported several quarters of weaker-than-expected revenue as a result of price increases it was forced to pass on to consumers. The company responded with measures such as workforce reductions and a stronger focus on innovation. Still, some obstacles remain beyond its control. Higher oil prices, for example, could reduce this year’s profit by as much as $1 billion.

Even so, The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) benefits from an advantage few competitors can match: its scale. The company’s dividend track record reflects that strength. P&G has increased its dividend for 70 consecutive years, and the streak continues. The increase announced in April raised the payout by 3% from the previous level. It also extended a 10-year period during which the dividend grew at an average annual rate of 4.8%.