Printed on April thirteenth, 2023 by Nikolaos Sismanis

Whereas there could also be various interpretations amongst traders, the time period “blue chip” usually denotes corporations which can be considered leaders of their respective fields.

To us, a inventory is assessed as a “blue chip” provided that it has maintained a gentle development in dividends for at the very least ten years. It is a vital achievement because it signifies that the corporate has a sturdy enterprise mannequin that may climate powerful financial situations whereas nonetheless producing constant earnings.

Due to this fact, we s that investing in blue chip shares could possibly be a wise transfer for anybody on the lookout for dependable dividend shares that supply a excessive stage of security.

With all this in thoughts, we created a listing of 350+ blue-chip shares, which you’ll be able to obtain by clicking beneath:’

 

On this article, we’re wanting on the best-performing blue chip shares, which we’ve recognized by taking a look at their worth efficiency during the last 12 months. We’re presenting them in ascending order for simple reference.

Whereas previous efficiency shouldn’t be indicative of future returns, our curated checklist might spotlight some promising funding alternatives. These shares have gained vital momentum and possess a trusted “blue chip” classification, making them value contemplating for potential traders.

Desk of Contents

The checklist of the ten Finest Performing Blue Chip Shares is beneath. Click on on an organization’s identify to leap on to the evaluation of that firm.

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #10: Lancaster Colony Company (LANC)

• Final-12-Month Return: 32.7%

After shifting away from housewares, Lancaster Colony has been making meals merchandise since 1969. The transfer has afforded the corporate some significant development up to now 5 many years, and the inventory has a $5.1 billion market capitalization on $1.8 billion in annual income. Lancaster Colony makes numerous meal equipment like croutons and bread merchandise in frozen and non-frozen classes. Lancaster additionally has among the finest dividend enhance streaks in the whole market, boasting 60 consecutive years of dividend will increase.

Supply: Investor Presentation

Lancaster reported second-quarter earnings on February 2nd, 2023, and the outcomes have been considerably combined. Earnings-per-share got here to $1.45, which was 11 cents beneath estimates. Income was up 11% year-over-year to $477 million, which was $2.4 million higher than expectations.

Retail web gross sales grew 5.6% to $259 million, whereas Foodservice web gross sales have been 19.2% increased at $219 million. Retail gross sales noticed favorable inflationary pricing impacts, as gross sales quantity declined 3.8%. The corporate believes pricing actions led to decrease volumes. In Foodservice, gross sales quantity fell 4.6% as the corporate exited sure companies throughout fiscal 2022.

The corporate did see elevated demand from quick-service clients, and inflationary pricing helped increase the highest line considerably. Gross revenue was up $5.5 million to $102 million as pricing actions offset inflationary prices in commodities, packaging, labor, freight, and warehousing. Consolidated working revenue was up $6 million, or 13.3%, year-over-year. Earnings-per-share rose from $1.25 to $1.45 year-over-year, and we see $6.05 for 2023.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Lancaster Colony Company (LANC) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #9: Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

• Final-12-Month Return: 33.8%

Merck & Firm is likely one of the largest healthcare corporations on the earth. Merck manufactures prescription medicines, vaccines, organic therapies, and animal well being merchandise. Merck employs 67,000 individuals around the globe and generates annual revenues of ~$59 billion.

On February 2nd, 2023, Merck reported the fourth quarter and full-year outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2022. For the quarter, income grew 2.1% to $13.8 billion, beating estimates by $140 million. Within the prior yr, an adjusted web revenue of $4.1 billion, or $1.62 per share, in comparison with an adjusted web revenue of $4.6 billion, or $1.81 per share, however was $0.08 greater than anticipated.

Supply: Investor Presentation

For the yr, income grew 22% to $59.3 billion. Adjusted earnings-per-share totaled $7.48, above the excessive finish of the corporate’s steering. Forex alternate diminished income outcomes by 6% for the quarter and 4% for the yr. On a reported foundation, pharmaceutical income elevated by 1% to simply over $12 billion for the quarter.

Merck supplied steering for 2023 as effectively. The corporate expects gross sales in a variety of $57.2 billion to $58.7 billion, with adjusted earnings-per-share projected to be between $6.80 to $6.95. On the midpoint, this is able to be a decline of 8% from 2022.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #8: RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR)

• Final-12-Month Return: 33.9%

Established in 1993 and headquartered in Bermuda, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a worldwide supplier of reinsurance and insurance coverage. The corporate supplies property, casualty, specialty reinsurance by way of RenaissanceRe and joint ventures, together with DaVinci, Prime Layer Re, Starbound, Glencoe Group, and Starbound II. Roughly half of its premiums earned are attributable to property insurance policies, with the rest allotted to casualty and specialty. The $8.81 billion market cap firm has elevated its dividend for 27 consecutive years.

Supply: Koyfin

On January thirty first, 2023, RenaissanceRe reported its This autumn-2022 and full-year outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2022. For the quarter, complete revenues equaled $2.0 billion, 43.8% increased in comparison with This autumn-2021. Notice that the rise is moderately deceptive, because it consists of RenaissanceRe’s bond portfolio being marked-to-market upwards because of the modest discount in rates of interest on medium-term U.S. treasuries and the narrowing of credit score spreads on the company and high-yield mounted maturity portfolios. Increased funding revenue attributable to elevated yields in fixed-maturity buying and selling additionally boosted outcomes.

For the quarter, the corporate additionally reported a web revenue of $448.0 million or $10.30 per share in comparison with a web revenue of $210.9 million or $4.65 per share in final yr’s comparable interval because of such changes in investments.

RenaissanceRe ended the yr with a guide worth of $104.65 and a tangible guide worth of $98.81. With accrued dividends, TBV/share reached $123.81. For FY-2023, we’re assuming underlying earnings energy of $16.00 per share.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #7: Cardinal Well being, Inc. (CAH)

• Final-12-Month Return: 34.2%

Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Well being is likely one of the “Large 3” drug distribution corporations together with McKesson (MKC) and AmerisourceBergen (ABC). Cardinal Well being serves over 24,000 United States pharmacies and greater than 85% of the nation’s hospitals. The corporate has operations in additional than 30 nations with roughly 46,000 workers. With 35 years of dividend will increase, the $20.5 billion market cap firm is a member of the Dividend Aristocrats Index.

On Could fifth, Cardinal Well being introduced that its prior settlement to pay $6 billion over 18 years in a nationwide opioid settlement was finalized. Greater than 98% of lawsuits are included on this settlement.

On Could tenth, 2022, Cardinal Well being elevated its quarterly dividend by 1% to $0.4957. On February 2nd, 2023, Cardinal Well being launched outcomes for the second quarter of the fiscal yr 2023 for the interval ending December thirty first, 2022.

The corporate’s income grew 13.2% for the quarter to $51.47 billion, which was $1.44 billion greater than anticipated. On an adjusted foundation, the corporate’s posted earnings of $467 million have been flat year-over-year. Nonetheless, adjusted earnings-per-share of $1.32 was up barely from $1.27 within the prior yr due to a decrease share depend and curiosity expense. Adjusted earnings-per-share was $0.23 above estimates.

For the quarter, Pharmaceutical gross sales of $47.7 billion was a 15% enhance year-over-year, whereas phase revenue of $431 million was up 9%. Branded pharmaceutical and specialty prescription drugs benefited from new clients. Income for the Medical phase decreased by 7% to $3.8 billion, whereas phase revenue was down 66%. Inflationary pressures and decrease volumes in merchandise and distribution have been the first causes for the declines. The Pharmaceutical phase makes up the lion’s share of revenues, however the Medical phase stays essential attributable to its increased margins and development potential.

Supply: Investor Presentation

Cardinal Well being additionally supplied up to date steering for the fiscal yr 2023, with the corporate anticipating adjusted earnings-per-share of $5.20 to $5.50, up from $5.05 to $5.40. On the midpoint, this is able to be a 5.9% enchancment from the prior yr.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Cardinal Well being, Inc. (CAH) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #6: Starbucks Company (SBUX)

• Final-12-Month Return: 34.9%

Starbucks started with a single retailer in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971 and now has greater than 36,000 shops worldwide. About half of the shops are within the U.S., and practically 20% of the shops are in China. The corporate operates beneath the namesake Starbucks model but additionally holds the Teavana, Evolution Recent, and Ethos Water manufacturers in its portfolio. The $120 billion market cap firm generated $32 billion in annual income in fiscal 2022.

In early February, Starbucks reported (2/2/23) monetary outcomes for the primary quarter of the fiscal yr 2023 (Starbucks’ fiscal yr ends the Sunday closest to September thirtieth). The corporate grew its comparable retailer gross sales by 5% due to 10% development within the U.S., which greater than offset a -13% lower in worldwide markets, together with a -29% lower in China. Similar-store gross sales in China remained depressed for the fourth quarter in a row attributable to lockdowns. Nonetheless, adjusted earnings-per-share edged up from $0.69 within the prior yr’s quarter to $0.74.

Supply: Q1 Infographic

We anticipate the headwinds from the lockdowns in China and excessive inflation to considerably subside later this yr. Starbucks reiterated its optimistic steering for 2023, anticipating earnings-per-share development on the low finish of its long-term steering of 15%-20% development. Howard Schultz, the legendary CEO of Starbucks, has returned to the helm for the third time in his profession. Starbucks thrived within the earlier two tenures of Schultz.

As quickly as he returned to the CEO place, he suspended share repurchases and said that the corporate ought to deal with its development initiatives. Sadly, he just lately said that he would step down and by no means function a CEO once more. This could possibly be a detrimental improvement for the corporate.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Starbucks Company (SBUX) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #5: Utilized Industrial Applied sciences, Inc. (AIT)

• Final-12-Month Return: 36.3%

Utilized Industrial Applied sciences (AIT) is an organization that focuses on distributing industrial merchandise to corporations throughout all totally different industries. The enterprise distributes energy transmission merchandise, engineered fluid energy elements and methods, specialty movement management options, superior automation merchandise, and extra by way of its community of ~400 native service facilities throughout North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The enterprise operates by way of its two segments, Service Middle Based mostly Distribution (67% of 2022 gross sales) and Fluid Energy & Circulate Management (33% of 2022 gross sales). The Service Middle Based mostly Distribution phase consists of income from the native service facilities and companies from scheduled upkeep and restore of their clients’ equipment, tools, and services. The Fluid Energy & Circulate Management phase focuses on promoting hydraulic (water strain) and pneumatic (air/gasoline strain) applied sciences, specialty movement management merchandise, and automation merchandise.

On January twenty sixth, 2023, AIT reported second quarter 2023 outcomes for the interval ending December thirty first, 2022. The corporate reported $1.71 in earnings-per-share for the quarter, which beat analysts’ estimates by 34 cents and amounted to 40.4% year-over-year development. Income for the quarter elevated 20.9% year-over-year to $1.1 billion and beat analysts’ estimates by $81 million.

For the quarter, acquisitions contributed to a 0.5% enhance in income. Nevertheless, international forex challenges had a detrimental impact of 0.7%. Natural gross sales development was 21.1%. Administration raised the fiscal yr 2023 earnings-per-share steering vary from $6.90 to $7.55 to $8.10 to $8.50.

Supply: Investor Presentation

Over the intermediate time period, the corporate has objectives to develop web gross sales to over $5 billion (2022’s gross sales have been $3.8 billion) and broaden EBITDA margins to over 12% (2022’s EBITDA margin was 10.7%).

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Utilized Industrial Applied sciences, Inc. (AIT) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #4: Reliance Metal & Aluminum Co. (RS)

• Final-12-Month Return: 38.6%

Reliance Metal & Aluminum (RS) is a diversified metallic options supplier and metallic providers firm. It was based in 1939 and supplied over 100,000 metallic merchandise (together with alloy, aluminum, brass, copper, metal, titanium, and so on.) throughout its ~315 areas. The corporate has a level of recession resiliency, because it has remained worthwhile yearly since its IPO in 1994 and is well-positioned to learn from world provide shortages. The corporate now has a market capitalization of $14.3 billion.

Supply: Investor Presentation

The revenues of the corporate are diversified throughout areas and commodities, with the three largest areas being the Midwest (35%), West/Southwest (21%), and the Southeast (20%), and the three largest merchandise being carbon metal (55%), chrome steel (17%) and aluminum (15%). Some traders might take into account this firm to be a play on the metal markets since ~72% of revenues come from metal. Reliance Metal & Aluminum has persistently enhanced its gross margins, from 25%-27% up to now to 29%-31%, which administration considers sustainable in the long term.

In mid-February, Reliance Metal & Aluminum reported (2/16/23) monetary outcomes for the total fiscal 2022. It posted report gross sales of $17.0 billion and report earnings-per-share of $30.03 due to sturdy demand in most finish markets and blowout metals costs.

Administration raised the dividend by 14%. It additionally supplied steering for the primary quarter of 2023, anticipating gross sales volumes to develop 1%-3% over final yr’s quarter and common promoting costs to dip 3%-5% sequentially to extra regular ranges. We anticipate metal costs to average this yr, however we nonetheless anticipate Reliance Metal & Aluminum to put up sturdy earnings-per-share of about $20.00 this yr.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Reliance Metal & Aluminum Co. (RS) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #3: Valero Power Company (VLO)

• Final-12-Month Return: 39.8%

Valero, a $55.3 billion market cap enterprise, is the most important petroleum refiner within the U.S. It owns 15 refineries within the U.S., Canada, and the U.Okay. and has a complete capability of about 3.2 million barrels/day. It additionally produces renewable diesel and has a midstream phase, Valero Power Companions LP, however its contribution to complete earnings is beneath 10%.

Supply: Investor Presentation

Valero must be seen as a virtually pure refiner. U.S. refiners confronted a extreme downturn in 2020-2021 because of the pandemic, which triggered a collapse in oil consumption. Refining margins plunged, and therefore all of the U.S. refiners incurred hefty losses in 2020. Nevertheless, following the pandemic easing, world oil demand recovered swiftly.

In late January, Valero reported (1/26/23) its monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. The worldwide market of refined merchandise has turn out to be exceptionally tight attributable to Western nations’ sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, Valero loved practically report refining margins within the quarter and posted blowout earnings-per-share of $8.45, which have been greater than 3 times the earnings-per-share of $2.41 within the prior yr’s quarter.

Notably, the earnings-per-share within the fourth quarter exceeded the (earlier) report annual earnings-per-share of $7.99, which was achieved in 2015. Furthermore, refining margins have remained close to report ranges due to sturdy demand for oil merchandise, the everlasting shutdown of some refineries across the globe within the final three years because of the pandemic, and tight provide because of the Ukrainian disaster. We thus anticipate Valero to put up earnings-per-share of about $20.00 this yr. Nevertheless, given their extremely cyclical nature, we anticipate refining margins to deflate within the upcoming years.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Valero Power Company (VLO) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #2: Ryder System, Inc. (R)

• Final-12-Month Return: 41.0%

In 1933, Jim Ryder made a $35 down fee on one truck. Immediately that has remodeled right into a $4.6 billion business transportation, logistics, and provide chain administration options firm with 250,000+ autos and 55 million sq. toes of warehouse house.

The enterprise is split into three segments – Fleet Administration (FMS), Devoted Transportation (DTS), and Provide Chain Options (SCS) – offering business truck rental, truck leasing, used vans on the market, and last-mile supply providers. Ryder generated $12.0 billion in income final yr.

Supply: Investor Presentation

In mid-February, Ryder reported (2/15/23) monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Because of development in all enterprise segments, it grew its working income by 14% over the prior yr’s quarter. Adjusted earnings-per-share grew 11%, from $3.52 to $3.89, and exceeded the analysts’ consensus by $0.40, primarily due to sturdy efficiency in Provide Chain Options and Devoted Transportation, which greater than offset high-cost inflation and decrease gross sales of used autos.

Nevertheless, attributable to enterprise deceleration in used automobile gross sales and rental, Ryder supplied steering for earnings-per-share of $11.05-$12.05 in 2023. Given the tendency of administration to concern cautious steering and provided that Ryder has exceeded the analysts’ consensus by a large margin for eight quarters in a row, we anticipate earnings-per-share of $11.70 this yr, above the mid-point of the steering of administration.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Ryder System, Inc. (R) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Finest-Performing Blue Chip Tech Inventory #1: Exxon Mobil Company (XOM)

• Final-12-Month Return: 42.5%

Exxon Mobil is a diversified vitality behemoth with a market capitalization of $468.4 billion. In 2022, the upstream phase generated 67% of the entire earnings of Exxon whereas the downstream and chemical segments generated 27% and 6% of the entire earnings, respectively.

In late January, Exxon reported (1/31/23) monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Its manufacturing within the Permian reached an all-time excessive, and its complete manufacturing rose by 3%. Nevertheless, oil and gasoline costs moderated off their blowout ranges in earlier quarters. Consequently, Exxon noticed its earnings-per-share dip -24% sequentially, from $4.45 to $3.40.

Within the full yr, Exxon posted report earnings-per-share of $14.06. Because of the sustained tailwind from Western nations’ sanctions on Russia, we anticipate sturdy earnings-per-share of about $10.50 in 2023. In distinction to earlier rallies of oil and gasoline costs, producers have boosted their output conservatively, fearing that the rally will show short-lived because of the secular shift of most nations from fossil fuels to wash vitality sources.

Supply: Investor Presentation

So long as producers stay cautious, the oil worth will doubtless stay excessive. Oil costs will doubtless stay above common within the quick run, however we don’t anticipate them to stay so excessive for years. We imagine that oil and gasoline costs have already peaked. Furthermore, Exxon raised its dividend by 3% within the fourth quarter, and thus it prolonged its dividend development streak to 40 years.

Exxon additionally has a $30 billion share repurchase program for 2022-2023. This quantity can cut back the share depend by 7% at present inventory costs. Nevertheless, because the inventory worth is at an all-time excessive and is notorious for its cyclicality, we don’t applaud this program. Exxon has made the identical mistake up to now.

Click on right here to obtain our most up-to-date Certain Evaluation report on Exxon Mobil Company (XOM) (preview of web page 1 of three proven beneath):

Remaining Ideas

Buyers searching for profitable funding choices will doubtless discover quite a few choices amongst blue chip shares. These corporations possess a exceptional observe report of economic stability and a dominant market place, along with different interesting attributes, which make them notably enticing.

The blue-chip shares featured on this article have exhibited exceptional efficiency within the final 12 months, with a strong momentum indicating that they might nonetheless have gas of their tanks. Nevertheless, warning must be exercised as a few of these shares might have sprinted too far forward of themselves, leaving them susceptible to a correction. Due to this fact, conducting a radical evaluation of every inventory is prudent earlier than contemplating any funding choices.

If you’re thinking about discovering extra high-quality dividend development shares appropriate for long-term funding, the next Certain Dividend databases will probably be helpful:

The most important home inventory market indices are one other strong useful resource for locating funding concepts. Certain Dividend compiles the next inventory market databases and updates them month-to-month: