5 Best Income Stocks To Buy According to Analysts

In this article, we discuss 5 best income stocks to buy according to analysts. If you want to read our detailed analysis of income-generating stocks and their performance over the years, go directly to read 16 Best Income Stocks To Buy According to Analysts. 

5. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Upside Potential as of February 17: 21.2%

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is an American multinational oil and gas company that is involved in the exploration, development, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.95 per share and has been growing its dividends for 41 consecutive years. As of February 17, the stock has a dividend yield of 3.66%. It is one of the best dividend stocks on our list with an upside potential of 21.2%.

The number of hedge funds owning stakes in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) jumped to 85 in Q4 2023, from 79 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkey’s database. The overall value of these stakes is roughly $4.5 billion.

4. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE)

Upside Potential as of February 17: 22.04%

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) is a leading clean energy company in the US with a primary focus on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. On February 16, the company announced a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.515 per share. This hike stretched the company’s dividend growth streak to 28 years, which makes NEE one of the best dividend stocks for income investors. The stock’s dividend yield on February 17 came in at 3.28%.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) was a part of 65 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q4 2023, up from 58 in the preceding quarter, according to our database. With roughly 4 million shares, Two Sigma Advisors was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q4.

3. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)

Upside Potential as of February 17: 25.3%

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) is next on our list of the best dividend stocks with an upside potential of 25.3%. The global media and tech company has raised its dividend payouts for 16 years in a row and currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share. As of February 17, the stock has a dividend yield of 3.01%.

At the end of Q4 2023, 63 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), compared with 68 a quarter earlier. The collective value of these stakes is roughly $3 billion.

2. American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT)

Upside Potential as of February 17: 26.7%

American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) is an American real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners and operators of wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure in the world. The company’s quarterly dividend comes in at $1.70 per share, which it raised by nearly 5% in December 2023. That was the company’s 13 consecutive annual dividend hike. With a dividend yield of 3.63% as of February 17, AMT is one of the best dividend stocks for income investors.

As of the end of the December quarter of 2023, 56 hedge funds owned stakes in American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT), compared with 60 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is over $3.23 billion. Among these hedge funds, Akre Capital Management was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q4.

1. Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR)

Upside Potential as of February 17: 34.2%

Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) is a leading provider of agricultural products and services, specializing in crop nutrients, crop protection, and agricultural solutions. NTR tops our list of the best dividend stocks for income investors. The company has been growing its dividends for the past four years and offers a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share. The stock’s dividend yield on February 17 came in at 4.07%.

Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2023 showed that 39 hedge funds owned stakes in Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR), up from 33 in the preceding quarter. These stakes are worth roughly $484 million in total.

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