5 Best Diversified Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now

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

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 90

On March 30, Deutsche Bank lowered its price recommendation on The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) to $162 from $171. It reiterated a Hold rating on the shares. The firm noticed the “legitimate and widespread pressures building” across much of the consumer packaged goods industry, linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The analyst said the group underperformed in March. Cost inflation was the main concern, along with the risk of demand softening as consumers trade down. Currency movements also weighed on performance, according to the research note.

During the fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call, CFO Andre Schulten said the company’s guidance for fiscal 2026 remains unchanged. He noted that organic sales growth is still expected to come in roughly in line to up 4%. He also said global market growth across the company’s portfolio is expected to be around 2% on a value basis. Growth in the US is likely to be stronger as ongoing initiatives begin to show results.

On earnings, Schulten said core EPS is expected to increase about 4% year over year, implying a range of $6.83 to $7.09 per share. He added that the company plans to return a significant amount of cash to shareholders, with about $10 billion in dividends and roughly $5 billion in share repurchases, for a total of around $15 billion in fiscal 2026. He also noted that the outlook includes about $500 million in additional pre-tax costs tied to tariffs. The core effective tax rate is expected to be between 20% and 21%. Adjusted free cash flow productivity is projected in the range of 85% to 90%.

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) focuses on branded consumer packaged goods sold across global markets. Its segments include Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The company sells its products in approximately 180 countries and territories.