8 Best Income Stocks to Buy in 2023

Investors receive a stream of money from income stocks that are comparatively steady. They can either pay their bills with this money or reinvest it to purchase more shares.

The fact that income stocks are less volatile than growth stocks is another advantage of investing in them. They are a helpful addition to any portfolio because of these characteristics. Let’s discuss income stocks and the 8 best income stocks to buy in 2023.

What are Income Stocks?

Income stocks offer regular and steady income, typically in the form of dividends, over some time with low exposure to risk. Income stocks typically offer a high yield that may generate most of the security’s overall returns. An income stock pays a relatively reliable dividend, a portion of the company’s profits, to its shareholders. Most companies pay quarterly dividends, although some only provide income annually or semi-annually.

Income stocks are appealing to investors who want to earn passive income in cash, unlike growth stocks, which investors purchase primarily because they anticipate price increases. Investors earn a dividend yield, which is determined by dividing the total yearly dividend payments by the stock price.

8 Best Income Stocks to Buy in 2023

The best income stocks have continuously increased their cash payouts over time. A stock with dividend payments that increase by 10% annually doubles its cash payout to shareholders in more than seven years.

The 8 best income stocks to consider in 2023.

1. Waste Management

For its investors, WM (WM 0.35%) succeeds at turning trash into money. The business offering waste disposal, recycling, and collection services is North America’s biggest of its kind. Thanks to its extensive network of existing landfills, it enjoys a significant competitive advantage. It is unlikely that rivals will be able to steal market share from the garbage king due to strict rules and staunch homeowner opposition to new landfills. The earnings of WM are well-guarded. A large portion of the company’s free cash flow is distributed to stockholders as dividends and share repurchases, which raise the share price.

2. Verizon

Verizon Communications (VZ -1.29%) is a global leader in telecommunications. It generated an impressive $12.4 billion in free cash flow through the first nine months of 2022, giving it the resources to reward its shareholders with $8.1 billion in dividends.

Verizon’s shares provide a big dividend yield (more than 6% in late 2022). The telecom giant has equally increased its dividend for 16 straight years, the longest current streak in the U.S. telecom industry. That attractive and growing income stream makes Verizon one of the best income stocks for earning passive income.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft (MSFT 4.05%), a leader in the technology sector, has several steady revenue sources, which is great news for income investors. It’s Windows computer operating system continues to generate sizable earnings. The company’s enormously well-liked Office suite of productivity software is experiencing new growth due to the switch to a cloud-based delivery strategy for the item.

Microsoft is a great choice for those looking for the best income stocks with dividend growth potential because it is one of the biggest dividend payers, paying out $18 billion to shareholders in 2022 and because the company increased its dividend by 10% in 2022, marking the 20th year in a row that it has increased its payout.

4. Realty Income

Over the years, Realty Income (O -1.0%) has consistently been a reliable income investment. Since its initial public offering (IPO) in 1994, the real estate investment trust (REIT) has increased its dividend payout 117 times, marking its 100th straight quarter of dividend growth in late 2022. It belongs to the elite group of Dividend Aristocrats because it has produced dividend increases for over 25 years.

The REIT concentrates on acquiring industrial real estate and necessary retail properties (consider home repair, grocery, and convenience stores). The freestanding buildings are triple net leased (NNN) to premium tenants liable for building insurance, upkeep, and real estate taxes. As a result, Realty revenue can continue to raise its dividend thanks to very stable revenue.

5. NextEra Energy

The earnings history of NextEra Energy (NEE 0.94%) is very impressive. The utility has consistently increased its payout for over 25 years, making it a payout Aristocrat. NextEra has raised its dividend at an annualized rate of 9.8% since 2005.

It ranks among the top producers of green energy and has a long backlog of construction projects. When you combine this development with the consistency of its utility business operations, NextEra should have more than enough energy to continue raising its dividend and profits in the future. At least through 2024, the business plans to increase its payout by about 10% annually.

6. Hercules Capital, Inc. 

HTGC: Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for this business development company’s current year profits has increased by 5.1%. Price-consensus-chart for Hercules Capital, Inc. Quote from Hercules Capital Inc, in contrast to the industry average dividend yield of 9.9%, this company has a dividend yield of 12.7%.

7. The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this business, which offers a variety of community, commercial, and private banking services, has increased by 7.6% over the previous 60 days. Price-consensus-chart for Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (The) | Quote from The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited, in contrast to the industry average dividend yield of 3.2%, this company has a dividend yield of 5.9%.

8. CB Financial Services, Inc.

CB Financial services, a bank holding company for Community Bank has seen the Zacks Consensus prediction for its present year earnings has increased by 5.8% over the last 2 months. CB Financial Services, Inc. price-consensus-chart | CB Financial Services, Inc. said that this company has a dividend yield of 4.2%, compared with the sector average of 2.6%.

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What are the Risks of Income Stocks?

Income stocks are good but have some risks attached to them. Let’s take a look.

• The yield might be low: While Microsoft (MSFT) has a dividend yield of 0.92% and Apple (AAPL) has a yield of 0.62%, not all income companies have high dividend yields.

• It’s not offered on every security: Not all stocks pay dividends. Even though many publicly traded companies do so, not all do. Notably, a lot of software companies don’t pay dividends. Those primarily interested in income stocks may have less exposure to businesses with historically high growth potential, such as technology.

Conclusion 

Income stocks can enable investors to receive consistent dividend payouts, whether monthly, quarterly, or annually, rather than attempting to time the market and sell high to maximize gains on the share price. These securities have the potential to offer buyers steady and dependable passive income because they are typically less volatile than growth securities.

Income stocks might not benefit those seeking an immediate or fast victory. Investors should consider these kinds of investments when searching for long-term, strategic growth.