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2 Top-Ranked Tech Stocks to Buy for Passive Income

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Tech stocks have been red-hot in November, delivering outsized gains. They’ve overall jumped back in favor in 2023, particularly following a tough 2022 and excitement surrounding artificial intelligence applications.

Other than tech stocks, investors also love dividends, as they can provide a nice buffer against drawdowns in other positions and a passive income stream. And interestingly enough, several tech stocks – Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) and Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) – reward their shareholders with quarterly payouts.

On top of tech exposure paired with a passive income stream, both sport a favorable Zacks Rank, reflecting optimism among analysts. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Broadcom

Broadcom, a current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), is a premier designer, developer, and global supplier of a broad range of semiconductor devices. AVGO shares currently yield a solid 1.9% annually, nicely above the Zacks Computer and Technology sector average of 0.7%.

And the company has shown a notable commitment to increasingly rewarding shareholders, boasting a sizable 16.6% five-year annualized dividend growth rate. Please note that the chart below is on an annual basis.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company’s payout has been protected by the company’s impressive cash-generating abilities. AVGO generated roughly $16.3 billion in free cash flow throughout its FY22, improving 22% on a year-over-year basis.

The chart below is on a quarterly basis.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Keep an eye out for the company’s upcoming quarterly release expected on December 7th, as the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate of $10.96 suggests growth of 5% from the year-ago period, with analysts slightly taking their expectations lower since August.

Top line revisions have been more positive, with the $9.3 billion Zacks Consensus Estimate 0.3% higher over the same period and reflecting growth of 4% year-over-year. Broadcom has been a stellar earnings performer, exceeding consensus revenue and earnings expectations in 14 consecutive releases.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Microsoft

Microsoft shares have been big-time outperformers in 2023 thanks to artificial intelligence excitement and a broader sentiment shift overall. The stock is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with earnings expectations increasing across nearly all timeframes.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MSFT shares presently yield a respectable 0.8% annually, modestly above the respective Zacks sector average. And the tech titan has shown a commitment to shareholders, carrying a 10% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Like AVGO, Microsoft’s cash-generating abilities help secure the payout. The company generated a sizable $59.5 billion in free cash flow in FY23, with the trailing twelve-month figure totaling an equally impressive $63.3 billion.

The chart below is on a quarterly basis.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bottom Line

Who doesn’t love dividends? They provide a passive income stream, allow for maximum returns through dividend reinvestment, and provide a shield against drawdowns in other positions.

And who doesn’t love technology stocks? Their explosive growth and momentum in 2023 are hard to ignore, with many looking for exposure.

For those seeking dividend-paying technology stocks, both companies above – Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) and Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) – could be great considerations.

All three reward their shareholders nicely and sport favorable Zacks Ranks, with the latter reflecting optimism among analysts.


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