How HP, Merck And Virtus Investment Partners Can Put Cash In Your Pocket

Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. HP, Merck and Virtus Investment Partners have rewarded shareholders for decades and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of over 3%.

HP

HP Inc. HPQ is a behemoth in the PC and printing markets. It has focused on these markets since exiting IT infrastructure in 2015 with the split from Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP focuses on the commercial market but maintains sales of consumer devices and printers. The firm has a broad global customer base, with only one-third of sales coming from the U.S. 

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The company has increased its dividends every year for the last eight years. According to its most recent dividend announcement on Nov. 26, it raised the quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.2894 or $1.16 annualized. Currently, the dividend yield on the stock stands at 3.31%.

HP's annual revenue (as of July 31) stood at $53.3 billion. According to the company's most recent earnings release on Nov. 26, it generated Q4 2024 revenues of $14.05 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $14 billion and an EPS of $0.93, in line with expectations.

Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. MRK is a health care company that manufactures pharmaceutical products to treat various conditions in many therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer and infections. 

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The company has raised its dividends every year since 2011. As per its most recent dividend announcement on Nov. 19, its board of directors increased the quarterly dividend from $0.77 to $0.81 per share, equaling an annual figure of $3.24. The dividend yield on the stock is 3.21%. 

Merck's annual revenue (as of Sept. 30) stood at $63.2 billion. According to its most recent earnings announcement on Oct. 31, it generated Q3 2024 revenues of $16.66 billion and an EPS of $1.57. Both figures beat the Street estimates.

How much would it take to earn $100 monthly from Merck stock? Check out this article by Benzinga to learn more. 

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Virtus Investment Partners

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. VRTS provides investment management and related services to individuals and institutions. Its retail products include open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and variable insurance funds. 

Virtus has consistently increased its dividends every year for the past seven years. According to its most recent dividend hike announcement on Aug. 15, it raised the quarterly dividend by 18% to $2.25 per share, equal to $9 annually. The current dividend yield on the stock stands at 3.66%.

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The company’s annual revenue (as of Sept. 30) stood at $884.3 million. As per its most recent earnings release on Oct. 25, it posted Q3 2024 revenues of $227.03 million and an EPS of $6.92. Both figures came in better than the consensus estimates. 

HP, Merck and Virtus Investment Partners are good choices for investors seeking reliable passive income. Their dividend yields of over 3% and long history of consistent hikes make them attractive to income-focused investors.

Check out this article by Benzinga for three more stocks offering high dividend yields. 

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