PMI(PM) MarketBeat·2025-04-30 13:11Market Overview - The S&P 500 is down 5.5% year-to-date due to uncertainty, tariffs, fears of an economic slowdown, and concerns over stretched valuations, particularly in technology stocks [1] - Investors are seeking safety in defensive sectors and reliable dividend payers as a result of the risk-off environment [2] Dividend Stocks Performance - Dividend stocks with strong yields and relative outperformance have become increasingly attractive, with some dividend aristocrats and kings emerging as top performers [2] Philip Morris International - Philip Morris has seen a 41% increase in stock price year-to-date, making it the fourth-best-performing stock in the S&P 500 [4] - The company offers a 3.17% dividend yield and has a history of 17 consecutive years of dividend increases [4] - The strategic pivot towards smoke-free products is driving growth, with a goal to generate two-thirds of revenue from these products by 2030 [5] - Q1 2025 earnings were reported at 0.08, with revenue growing 5.8% to 9.3 billion [5][6] AT&T - AT&T's stock has surged 20% year-to-date and 65% over the past year, with a current dividend yield of 4.07% [8] - The company reported Q1 2025 earnings of 0.51 per share, slightly missing consensus estimates, but revenue grew 2% year-over-year to 30.63 billion [9] - AT&T holds a Moderate Buy consensus rating from analysts, with a price target implying nearly 5% upside from current levels [10] Williams Companies - Williams Companies has seen a 10% increase in stock price year-to-date, with a 3.35% dividend yield supported by a three-year dividend growth rate of 5% [12][13] - The company is set to report Q1 2025 earnings on May 5, with previous EPS expectations met at 0.47 [14] - Analysts have raised price targets for Williams, maintaining a Moderate Buy consensus rating [14]