In this article, we will look at the 5 safest stocks to invest in. To go through our detailed analysis of changing stock market dynamics today, you can see the 13 Safest Stocks To Invest In.
5. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 80
Beta Value: 0.49
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), a well-established American retail giant headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, is renowned for its extensive network of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and strategically located grocery outlets throughout the United States.
The company has consistently increased its dividend for an impressive five decades, spanning 50 years. As of November 20, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) offers a quarterly dividend of $0.57 per share, equating to a dividend yield of 1.46%.
In the second quarter of 2023, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) garnered significant attention from hedge funds, with 81 hedge funds establishing positions in the company, as per Insider Monkey’s database. The combined holdings of these hedge funds were valued at over $5.46 billion. Notably, Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management emerged as the largest shareholder, boasting holdings valued at approximately $1.45 billion.
4. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84
Beta Value: 0.56
Established in 1886, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a prominent American multinational corporation recognized for its groundbreaking advancements in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. Notably, the company’s pharmaceutical division has maintained a remarkable track record of dividend growth for over 62 years. As of October 24, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) offers a quarterly dividend of $1.19 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.14%.
On October 17, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced adjusted earnings and revenue that exceeded the forecasts of Wall Street, subsequently increasing its full-year guidance due to robust sales in both its pharmaceutical and medical devices divisions. The pharmaceutical company also disclosed net income of $4.31 billion, equivalent to $1.69 per share. This figure remained consistent with the net income of $4.31 billion, or $1.62 per share, reported for the corresponding period in the previous year.
In the third quarter of 2023, the number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey with holdings in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) declined to 84, down from 88 in the prior quarter. The collective investments by these hedge funds surpass a total value of $4.15 billion. A leading hedge fund investor in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is Bridgewater Associates, managed by Ray Dalio, with a substantial stake valued at approximately $424.3 million.
3. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 85
Beta Value: 0.36
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), a renowned American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, traces its roots back to the Merck Group, founded in Germany in 1668. Originally the American arm of this historic group, the company operates under the names Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada. It holds a prominent position in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in the development of medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products.
Demonstrating financial stability, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has sustained a streak of dividend growth for 11 consecutive years. As of November 20, the company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.73 per share, yielding 2.86%.
Insider Monkey dug through 910 hedge funds for their third quarter of 2023 investments to discover that 85 had invested in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), up from 78 in the previous quarter.
Carillon Eagle Growth & Income Fund made the following comment about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in its Q2 2023 investor letter:
“Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) presented positive clinical data for a new drug in its oncology pipeline, announced an acquisition that was viewed favorably by investors, and reported strong first-quarter financial results while also increasing its earnings guidance for 2023.”
2. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
Beta Value: 0.61
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is a leading American multinational corporation specializing in managed healthcare and insurance services, operating as a for-profit entity. The corporation is organized into four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. Recognized as one of the safest stocks out there, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) announced a quarterly dividend of $1.88 per share on November 8, maintaining consistency with the previous payout. The dividend will be distributed on December 12 to shareholders of record as of December 4.
Insider Monkey’s database of 910 hedge funds reveals that 104 hedge funds reported owning stakes in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH). The most significant stakeholder in the firm during this period was Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners, which holds a $1.63 billion stake in the company.
Mairs & Power Growth Fund made the following comment about UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:
“Notable detractors to performance in the first half were US Bank (USB), Charles Schwab (SCHW), and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), which were down 22.09%, 31.65%, and 8.65%, respectively. Another detractor from relative performance was UnitedHealth Group, which was down 8.65%. However, we have a positive long-term view of the company, headquartered in Minnesota, and especially its potential when it comes to harnessing its vast amounts of patient data via AI. Additionally, its Optum unit, which provides technology and data-driven care delivery, has AI-enabled tools that can help healthcare providers drive more efficient and accurate care to patients.
1. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 116
Beta Value: 0.86
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) operates as a diverse multinational conglomerate holding company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Its main revenue streams are centered around the insurance sector. The profits generated from its insurance operations are strategically allocated across a broad spectrum of subsidiaries, equity holdings, and various financial instruments. Notably, the company’s resilience to market fluctuations is attributed to its well-diversified portfolio of businesses and investments spanning various industries.
In the third quarter, data from Insider Monkey’s database revealed that 116 hedge funds held positive positions in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B), compared to 109 funds in the previous quarter. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust emerged as the largest shareholder in the company, with holdings of 22.52 million shares valued at $7.89 billion.
You can also take a peek at 10 Best Blockchain and Bitcoin ETFs and 10 Small Cap Growth ETFs.
