Verizon (VZ)
It may come as a surprise to some, but Telecom provider Verizon is an incredible dividend stock that has been increasing dividend payouts since 1986 at an average yield over 4%. Up 26% this year, Verizon has beat 3 of their last 4 earnings calls and seems to have turned a corner after its recent pullback. Analysts have rated Verizon stock a Buy with an average one year forecast of 22%, and we have also rated it a Buy with a one year forecast of 10%. We expect Verizon to continue to pay its dividend long term, and currently have this as a medium risk, medium reward play.
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
Recently getting big exposure thanks to the US’s recent military action, Lockheed Martin continues to solidify itself as one of the best dividend stocks you can buy – offering a small but reliable dividend since 1995. Backed by the massive US defence budget, it’s enough to put this stock into our low risk category while still maintaining a medium reward rating. We currently have this rated as a Buy with a +36% one year forecast, with the average analyst at a Hold with a +1% projection over the next year. Although it’s missed its latest, LMT has beat 3 of its last 4 earnings calls and currently holds multi-year product backlogs.
