Dividends are often paid out to shareholders as a form of return on their investment. Investors looking to buy a company’s stock with the hope of receiving such investment income should try and look for large corporations, with a proven track record of paying out dividends. Dividends are obviously not guaranteed, but a company that consecutively sees increases in its cash flows in addition to a history of paying out dividends, should be a safer bet and that includes the companies on our list today.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) – $93.24
Pharmaceuticals
Johnson & Johnson is a holding company that is engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a range of products in the health care field. The Company has more than 265 operating companies conducting business around the world. Johnson & Johnson’s primary focus is products related to human health and well-being. The Company is organized into three business segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices.
- Market Cap: $258,191,465,538
- Revenue Growth (LFQ): -10.8%
- Gross Dividends (2014): $7,768,000,000
- Free Cash Flow (2014): $14,757,000,000
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Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) – $115.80
Home Improvement Products & Services Retailers
The Home Depot, Inc. (Home Depot) is a home improvement retailer. The Home Depot stores sell an assortment of building materials, home improvement products and lawn and garden products and provide services. The Home Depot stores average approximately 104,000 square feet of enclosed space, with approximately 24,000 additional square feet of outside garden area, serving three primary customer groups: do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers and professional customers.
- Market Cap: $148,699,162,951
- Revenue Growth (LFQ): 10.3%
- Gross Dividends (2014): $2,530,000,000
- Free Cash Flow (2014): $6,800,000,000
General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD) – $137.95
Aerospace & Defense
General Dynamics Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that offers a portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; communications and information technology systems and solutions, and military and commercial shipbuilding. The Company operates through four business groups: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Systems and Technology and Marine Systems.
- Market Cap: $44,520,212,688
- Revenue Growth (LFQ): 0.2%
- Gross Dividends (2014): $834,000,000
- Free Cash Flow (2014): $3,243,000,000
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Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) – $69.15
Electric Utilities
Duke Energy Corporation is an energy company that conducts its operations in three business segments: Regulated Utilities, International Energy and Commercial Power. Duke Energy operates in the United States and Latin America primarily through its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
- Market Cap: $47,598,051,032
- Revenue Growth (LFQ): -17.2%
- Gross Dividends (2014): $2,234,000,000
- Free Cash Flow (2014): $1,202,000,000
Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (NYSE: IPG) – $19.79
Advertising & Marketing
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG) is a global advertising and marketing services company that operates through two segments: Integrated Agency Networks (IAN) and Constituency Management Group (CMG), which includes Weber Shandwick, Cassidy, DeVries, Golin, FutureBrand, Jack Morton and Octagon Worldwide, providing diversified services, including public relations, meeting and event production, sports and entertainment marketing, corporate and brand identity and strategic marketing consulting.
- Market Cap: $8,084,901,591
- Revenue Growth (LFQ): -5.2%
- Gross Dividends (2014): $159,000,000
- Free Cash Flow (2014): $520,800,000
