Seeking Dividend Stocks Amid AI Uncertainty
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 10 2026
0mins
Should l Buy META?
Source: Fool
- Importance of Dividends: Amid AI-related uncertainties, dividend payments provide investors with a risk mitigation opportunity, allowing them to directly control a portion of company earnings, thereby enhancing confidence during market volatility.
- Meta's Dividend Potential: Although Meta's dividend yield is only 0.3%, its 9% payout ratio indicates significant potential for future dividend increases, coupled with the company's $81.6 billion in cash and marketable securities, reflecting a strong financial position.
- Tractor Supply's Stable Returns: With a dividend yield of 1.7%, Tractor Supply maintains a relatively conservative 45% payout ratio despite slower sales growth, and the company anticipates accelerating sales growth in the future, providing reliable investment returns.
- Investment Value Assessment: With price-to-earnings ratios of 29 and 26 for Meta and Tractor Supply respectively, both stocks appear attractively priced relative to their long-term potential, and despite inherent risks, investors may consider adding these dividend stocks to their portfolios.
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Analyst Views on META
Wall Street analysts forecast META stock price to rise
44 Analyst Rating
37 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 639.290
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 639.290
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
About META
Meta Platforms, Inc. is building human connections, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. The Company's products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, augmented reality (AR), and wearables. It also helps people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enabling people to share their experiences, ideas, photos, videos, and other content with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large. The Company's segments include Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). FoA segment includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads. RL segment includes its virtual, augmented, and mixed reality related consumer hardware, software and content. Its product offerings in VR include its Meta Quest devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Horizon Store.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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