Top Dividend Stocks To Watch - February 9th

Investors often seek out dividend stocks as they can provide a reliable source of income. Unlike regular stocks that might rely solely on capital appreciation, dividend stocks allow shareholders to receive a portion of the company's profits regularly in the form of cash payments, or dividends. This appeal is especially strong as a way to secure steady returns from investments. Today, there are three notable dividend stocks that investors may want to keep an eye on.

International Paper (IP)

International Paper Company is a leading producer and seller of renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products across several regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. The company operates through two main segments: Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers. International Paper offers a variety of products such as linerboard, recycled medium, and specialty pulps utilized in numerous applications like personal care products and construction materials.

On a recent trading day, International Paper's shares saw a modest increase of $0.41, bringing the price to $56.15. During that session, a significant volume of 42,832,306 shares changed hands, well above the average of 12,581,360 shares. Over the past year, the stock has experienced a low of $33.16 and a high of $60.36, and it currently boasts a market capitalization of $19.51 billion.

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ)

Another dividend stock to consider is ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ. This fund aims to provide daily returns that correspond to three times the inverse of the daily performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index, which includes 100 of the most prominent non-financial stocks listed on the NASDAQ. This stock can serve as a hedging strategy for investors looking to mitigate risks associated with a declining market.

Shares of SQQQ rose by $1.09 to reach $28.93 recently, with a notable trading volume of 59,653,294 shares compared to its typical volume of 54,742,430. The one-year trading range for SQQQ has seen lows of $27.23 and highs of $64.95.

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

Merck & Co., Inc. is recognized as a significant player in the healthcare industry, offering a wide array of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, and consumer health products. The company operates in various segments, primarily focusing on pharmaceuticals and animal health.

Recently, Merck's stock decreased by $0.79 to $87.26 per share, seeing a trading volume of 15,806,931 shares. This is a bit higher than its average of 14,162,434 shares. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $87.12 and a high of $134.63, and it holds a market cap of $220.73 billion.

As dividend stocks are an essential part of many investment strategies, keeping an eye on strong performers like International Paper, ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ, and Merck & Co., Inc. can provide opportunities for consistent returns.

dividend, stocks, investing