CNBCยท2025-07-13 11:44Core Viewpoint - The ongoing AI boom presents strong growth opportunities, but concerns about tariffs and macroeconomic challenges temper investor optimism. Dividend-paying stocks are recommended for consistent income amidst this uncertainty [1]. Group 1: ConocoPhillips (COP) - ConocoPhillips distributed $2.5 billion to shareholders in Q1 2025, comprising $1.5 billion in share repurchases and $1.0 billion in dividends, with a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share, yielding 3.3% [2]. - Analyst Scott Hanold from RBC Capital maintains a buy rating on ConocoPhillips with a price target of $115, citing its strong balance sheet and competitive returns-focused value proposition [3][4]. - The company is positioned to generate competitive free cash flow (FCF) through various commodity price cycles, with a low break-even point below $40 per barrel [5]. Group 2: U.S. Bancorp (USB) - U.S. Bancorp offers a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, yielding 4.2%, and is recognized for its diversified financial services [7]. - Analyst Gerard Cassidy reaffirms a buy rating with a 12-month price target of $50, highlighting the bank's new leadership and strong operating leverage of 270 basis points reported in Q1 2025 [8][9]. - U.S. Bancorp has consistently returned up to 80% of its earnings through stock buybacks and dividends, with a focus on increasing tangible book value [9][10]. Group 3: HP Inc. (HPQ) - HP declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2894 per share, yielding 4.5%, and is on track to achieve significant cost savings through its Future Ready plan [12]. - Analyst Amit Daryanani maintains a buy rating with a price target of $29, noting HP's successful diversification and plans to manufacture 90% of U.S.-bound products outside China [13][14]. - HP aims to generate $2 billion in gross annual run-rate savings, leveraging internal AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency [15].