5 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Growth

2. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS)

5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 25.3%

On May 8, Citi raised its price recommendation on The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) to $930 from $765, reiterating a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm updated its targets across the banking sector after a transfer in analyst coverage.

A May 8 Reuters report said Goldman Sachs reported a decline in the value of its private credit fund during the first quarter as unrealized losses and portfolio markdowns increased. Investors have started taking a closer look at private credit funds, especially business development companies, as rapid advances in artificial intelligence raise questions about the long-term outlook for some software businesses.

Goldman Sachs BDC reported a net asset value per share (NAV) of $12.17 at the end of March. That was about 3.7% lower than the previous quarter. The fund also reported a rise in non-accruals, which refers to borrowers falling behind on interest payments. Non-accruals increased to 4.7% of the loan portfolio at amortized cost, compared with 2.8% in the previous quarter. The jump suggests some added pressure within parts of the portfolio.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is a global financial institution that provides investment banking, wealth management, securities, and investment management services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Its main business segments include Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions.