Chord Energy (CHRD) CNBC·2025-01-26 12:15Core Viewpoint - The stock market is currently buoyed by enthusiasm surrounding President Trump's policies, but uncertainties regarding tax cuts and tariffs persist. Dividend-paying stocks are suggested as a potential buffer against market volatility [1]. Group 1: AT&T - AT&T announced a quarterly dividend of $0.2775 per share, with a dividend yield of nearly 5% [3]. - Analyst Joseph Bonner upgraded AT&T to a buy rating with a price target of $27, following the company's analyst day where it outlined its strategy and financial goals [3][4]. - Management raised its 2024 adjusted EPS outlook and plans to return $40 billion to shareholders from 2025 to 2027 through dividends and share repurchases [4][5]. Group 2: Chord Energy - Chord Energy aims to return over 75% of its free cash flow, recently paying a base dividend of $1.25 per share and a variable dividend of $0.19 per share [7]. - Analyst William Janela reiterated a buy rating on Chord Energy with a price target of $178, citing strong visibility in its outlook and enhanced capital efficiencies [8][9]. - Chord Energy's defensive balance sheet positions it well in a volatile oil price environment, with a net debt to EBITDX ratio of approximately 0.2x [9]. Group 3: Diamondback Energy - Diamondback Energy paid a base dividend of $0.90 per share for Q3 2024 and is expected to report strong Q4 results [12]. - Analyst Nitin Kumar maintains a buy rating on Diamondback with a price target of $207, highlighting that 50% of free cash flow is returned to investors [14]. - The company’s high dividend yield is attributed to superior cost control and unit margins, bolstered by the Endeavor Energy Resources acquisition [14].