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In sports, a blue-chip prospect is thought to be a can’t-miss talent — someone who will excel at the game no matter what obstacles are thrown. Blue chips are safe bets with high floors and potentially limitless ceilings. Blue chip stocks are the same way. When investors buy blue chip stocks, they want proven track records and promises of future success. And while investing in stocks is never a completely safe bet, blue chips are often stocks with the best risk/reward trade-off. If you want to add blue chip stocks to your portfolio, here are 10 very successful stocks with staying power.
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Blue chip is a nickname given to stocks of a well-established and trusted company. These are companies that investors rely on due to their credibility and reliability. Think industry leaders and household names. These large-cap stocks often have a market valuation of $10 billion or more.
While blue chip companies are reliable, that also comes with slower growth. This makes them a conservative option for investors looking for a safe bet for their already established portfolio.
Blue chip stocks can be identified by the following shared traits:
- Growth history: Blue chips always have a solid history of sustained growth. This also means good future prospects. They’re already established.
- Component of a market index: You’ll find these stocks in major market indexes, like the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq 100.
- Higher dividend payouts: Dividends are regular payments made to investors from a company’s revenue. While there’s no requirement that a blue chip stock pays a dividend, it’s a common trait. Think Verizon’s 5% dividend. Small-cap stocks focus on expansion rather than dividends.
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Should You Invest in Blue Chip Stocks?
Nike. Coca-Cola. Starbucks. Walmart. These are names you know quite well. But should you invest in them? One thing these big names have in common is cost efficiency, which leads to a strong earnings growth and distribution.
Stable and reliable, having a blue chip stock in your portfolio is never a bad thing. This stability points to strong financial footing, meaning no debt and a lot of efficiency. Blue chip stocks are often protected from severe volatility, making the risks quite limited. Although investing in a blue chip stock brings steady, long-term returns — they are well regulated and have potential for regular dividends — there are some cautions to keep in mind.
Lag: Blue chip stocks can lag the market index, meaning they suffer from poor management practices and even scandals. They can also lose market share to smaller companies.
Won’t beat the market: Because blue chip stocks are stable, they are not going to have skyrocketing prices or super-quick growth like smaller companies and start-ups. They aren’t likely to stray from the averages when it comes to returns.
Tricky for young investors: A lot of blue chip stocks pay dividends, rather than investing in their own growth and increased stock value. For investors just starting out, you may want to find a stock that helps you build wealth, rather than a steady stock that won’t see much action.
The (Steady) Rise of Blue Chip Stocks
Blue chip stocks are the companies you trust. The ones in your home. The drinks and food on your shelf, the hair products in your bathroom, the credit card in your wallet, the shows you watch. Blue chip stocks are reliable, which is why they’re so appealing to investors.
While blue chip stocks are slow to grow, they’re still a trusted addition to any portfolio. That’s because these companies are predicted to have a bright future, whether through new products or inventions. Think Apple’s VR headset and Watch or Nike’s collaborations and new shoe technology. If you’re looking for dividend payouts and steady growth, blue chip stocks are perfect for your portfolio.
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