What are two blue-chip stocks?
Common examples of blue chip stocks are market leaders like IBM, Coca-Cola, and McDonald's. These are companies with a long track record of steady growth and low volatility, suggesting that they are unlikely to face major problems in the near future.
Definition: Blue chip stocks are shares of very large and well-recognised companies with a long history of sound financial performance. These stocks are known to have capabilities to endure tough market conditions and give high returns in good market conditions.
| Stock (ticker) | Market Capitalization |
|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) | $378 billion |
| Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) | $377 billion |
| AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) | $320 billion |
| Coca-Cola Co. (KO) | $256 billion |
Blue chip stocks are the stocks of dependable, profitable companies that have stood the test of time. Investing in high-quality blue chip companies can be a way to strengthen your stock portfolio. Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and American Express stand out as top blue chip stocks.
| Company (Ticker) | Sector | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) | Technology | $1.91T |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) | Financial | $533.63B |
| Salesforce (CRM) | Technology | $262.26B |
| Caterpillar (CAT) | Industrials | $177.11B |
There is no official list of blue chip stocks. However, generally speaking, investors consider a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average to be among the bluest of the blue chips. There are 30 blue chip stocks using this strict measure, since there are 30 companies in the Dow Jones.
Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL): Alphabet's non-search AI potential makes it a must-own blue chip for the long haul. American Express (AXP): It may be an old-time blue chip, but that doesn't mean it's not innovating.
What do IBM, Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, and DuPont have in common? Although they are in different sectors, they are all known as blue chip companies.
Blue-chip stocks typically have solid balance sheets, steady cash flows, proven business models, and a history of increasing dividends. For that reason, investors generally consider blue-chip stocks to be among the most secure stock investments because of their track records and performance history.
Determine Your Risk Tolerance: Think about your risk tolerance and investing objectives. Blue Chip companies are relatively low-risk, but it is critical to match your investments to your financial goals. Long-Term Prospects: Take a long-term approach to investing in Blue Chip stocks.
Is Apple a blue chip stock?
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is undoubtedly one of the best blue chip stocks to buy and hold according to hedge funds. Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL) products gain a lot of traction due to Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL) innovation and brand name attraction.
Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a blue chip stock best-known for its e-commerce Marketplace and its cloud computing business. Those two segments continue to be the primary drivers of the company. Their strength is the primary reason it has become a blue chip stock.
The problem is that despite being included in blue chip ETF indexes, companies like Nvidia and Tesla aren't truly blue chip stocks, George Pearkes, an analyst at Bespoke, told CNN. They're much more volatile. Tesla, for example, is down about 23% so far this year.
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) is an American content streaming service that is available by subscription in over 190 countries around the world. This blue-chip stock currently trades at a slight premium to its average analyst price target. For the first time in years, the company has the platform firing on all cylinders.
They're generally well-established, long-running companies that have proven their stability and steady growth over some time. The term was first coined in the 1920s by Oliver Gingold, who worked for Dow Jones, and is a reference to poker chips—wherein blue chips hold the highest value.
Blue chip stocks are usually less risky and thus considered safer than other stock-based investment options. That's because one of the major determining factors of a blue chip stock is that it must be a well-capitalized company, meaning it should have the financial fortitude to endure an inevitable economic downturn.
(NYSE:V), Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) are some top hedge fund growth stock picks. Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2024.
Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy: McDonald's (MCD)
McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) has raised its dividend payment every year since 1976. Yet MCD stock has struggled in recent years. Year-to-date (YTD), the share price is down 6%. Over five years, it is up only 45%.
Some of the best blue-chip stocks to own are those with a lot of employees. Home Depot (HD): Its latest acquisition will add more employees to its headcount. Target (TGT): It's grown its headcount by 22% over the past five years. Starbucks (SBUX): Innovation doesn't stop despite waning investor interest in its stock.
Income stocks provide regular income by distributing a company's profits, or excess cash, through dividends that are higher than the market average. Blue-chip stocks are shares of well-established companies with a large market capitalization.
What are the risks of blue chip stocks?
Market Volatility: Although Blue Chip stocks are less volatile than smaller-cap firms, market movements can nevertheless harm them. Economic Downturns: Even Fortune 500 corporations are not immune to economic downturns. The value of their stock may fall during severe economic downturns.
Blue-chip stocks typically have solid balance sheets, steady cash flows, proven business models, and a history of increasing dividends. For that reason, investors generally consider blue-chip stocks to be among the most secure stock investments because of their track records and performance history.
Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy: McDonald's (MCD)
The hamburger and restaurant chain has been a reliable performer for decades, trades at a reasonable 24 times future earnings estimates, and pays a quarterly dividend that yields a strong 2.40%. McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) has raised its dividend payment every year since 1976.
As a small example, Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) has trended higher by 226% (capital gains) in the last five years. This has led to this list of blue-chip stocks under $20.
