We recently compiled a list of the 15 Best Stocks For Dividends. In this article, we are going to take a look at where S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) stands against the other dividend stocks.

In 2023, dividend stocks underperformed compared to the overall market, which was driven largely by tech stocks. As we move into the latter half of 2024, dividend stocks have shown a similar performance trend in the first half of the year. The Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks the performance of companies with at least 25 consecutive years of dividend growth, is down by 0.17% year-to-date, compared with a nearly 18% gain in the broader market. Dividend stocks are declining for two main reasons. First, high interest rates are drawing investors towards bonds instead. Second, the current surge in AI technology is capturing investors’ focus on tech stocks. The tech-heavy NASDAQ has achieved its all-time high this year, surging by over 25% so far in 2024. That said, investors haven’t completely lost faith in dividend stocks. When all is said and done, successful investing is about playing the long game. Dividend stocks have consistently delivered, accounting for 36% of the market’s total return since 1927. Bank of America has also declared 2024 as ‘the year of dividends’.

In dividend investing, dividend growth stocks often take a lead over high-yield dividend stocks. Recent research indicates that companies providing consistent and sustainable dividends, without excessive payouts, have delivered the best long-term returns. Wellington Management conducted a study that categorized dividend-paying companies into five groups based on their payout levels. Since 1930, the research found that stocks with the highest dividend payouts generally performed similarly to those with high, but not the very highest, payouts, although they frequently traded places as the top performers over the decades.

Also read: 10 Very High Yield Dividend Stocks With Upside Potential

The dividend growth strategy has become so prominent over the years that many companies in the US are steadily increasing their payouts. In 2023, dividend payments reached an all-time high and have consistently increased over the years. Analysts are very optimistic about dividend payments for 2024, and recent projections indicate that the companies are on course to meet this new target record. One of the key reasons for this growth is that many companies, especially large technology firms, have abundant cash reserves and are rapidly increasing their free cash flows. This strong financial position enables them to continue rewarding their investors with higher dividend payments. According to the latest report by S&P Dow Jones Indices, companies in the index paid $153.4 billion in dividends in the second quarter of 2024, up from $151.6 billion from the previous quarter and up from $143.2 billion in the same period last year. The report also mentioned that there were 539 reported dividend increases, compared to 460 in the prior-year period, marking a 17.2% year-over-year rise. The total amount of these dividend increases reached $20.4 billion for the quarter, up from $9.8 billion in Q2 2023.

Dividend growth stocks are a hit with investors because they have rock-solid businesses, a steady cash flow, and strong balance sheets. These companies are top-notch for generating passive income. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks to buy.

Our Methodology:

To compile this list, we thoroughly reviewed reputable sources such as Forbes, Morningstar, Barron’s, and Business Insider. From their latest articles, we gathered the stocks they collectively favored. Additionally, we assessed the sentiment of hedge funds for each stock using Insider Monkey’s Q1 2024 database. The stocks are arranged in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds that hold stakes in these companies. 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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).

S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 97

S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is an American capital markets company that offers services in financial information and analytics. The company has established its strong presence in the credit ratings industry and that too, with regulatory requirements and high barriers to entry. In addition, it has maintained a solid reputation and gained investors’ confidence over the years. The company currently holds a dominant position in this sector, leveraging a robust economic moat that guarantees stability and steady cash flows. Its trailing twelve-month (TTM) free cash flow stands at around $4 billion, markedly surpassing its competitor Moody’s, which has a TTM free cash flow of approximately $2 billion.

The credit ratings industry is rebounding from the decline it suffered in 2022. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) completed a $44 billion all-stock acquisition of IHS Markit that year, greatly enhancing its information and analytics capabilities. While this acquisition improved the company’s market footprint, it also affected its return on invested capital. In addition, persistent increases in interest rates during this period added further pressure on the stock price. However, conditions have started to get better. In the first quarter of 2024, the company noted the highest level of debt issuance since 2021. The stock has gained nearly 11% since the start of 2024 and its 12-month returns came in at 15.6%.

On June 25, S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, which was consistent with its previous dividend. The company has been growing its payouts regularly for the past 51 years, which places it on our list of the best stocks for dividends. The stock’s dividend yield on July 15 came in at 0.75%.

S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) remained popular among elite funds in the first quarter of 2024 as hedge fund positions in the company jumped to 97, from 82 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey’s database. The stakes held by these hedge funds have a consolidated value of over $9.5 billion.

Overall SPGI ranks 1st on our list of the best dividend stocks to buy. You can visit 15 Best Stocks For Dividends to see the other dividend stocks that are on hedge funds’ radar. While we acknowledge the potential of SPGI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued dividend stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued dividend stock that is more promising than SPGI but that trades at less than 7 times its earnings and yields nearly 10%, check out our report about the dirt cheap dividend stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.