3 Beaten-Down Dividend Stocks for Patient Investors to Buy in July and Hold for Years to Come

Group 1: Watsco - Watsco's stock has increased by 991% over the last 20 years, with a 272% rise in the previous decade and a 154% increase over the last five years, although it has seen a 4% decline in the past year [5] - The current dividend yield for Watsco is 2.7%, but reinvesting dividends over the last 20 years would yield a total return of 2,020% [6] - Watsco is a leading player in the HVAC industry, consistently acquiring small distributors and integrating them to enhance sales and geographic reach [6][7] - The company utilizes technology to support HVAC contractors, improving operational performance and ensuring long-term growth prospects as demand for HVAC servicing remains strong [7][8] Group 2: Occidental Petroleum - Occidental Petroleum's stock has dropped about 29% over the past year, correlating with a 21.5% decline in oil prices [9][11] - Despite the stock decline, Occidental has shown strong performance with an 18.6% year-over-year increase in oil and gas production and generated $1.2 billion in free cash flow [12] - The company has maintained a conservative 20% payout ratio from 2020 to 2024, indicating a secure dividend despite lower energy prices [15] Group 3: Campbell's Company - Campbell's stock is currently at a 16-year low, primarily due to challenges in integrating acquisitions and generating high-margin sales growth [16][19] - The company has made significant acquisitions totaling $9.5 billion, which exceeds its current market cap of $9.3 billion, leading to concerns about overpayment [18] - Despite struggles, Campbell's generates substantial free cash flow that covers its 5.1% dividend yield, and its forward price-to-earnings ratio is significantly lower than its 10-year median [19][20]