Three Great Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next Decade
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Merck's Drug Pipeline: Merck (MRK) is facing the loss of U.S. patent protection for its cancer drug Keytruda by 2028, yet the company is strategically acquiring Verona Pharma and Terns Pharmaceuticals, potentially adding up to $4 billion in annual revenue from new treatments, indicating strong growth prospects over the next decade.
- Verizon's Stability: Verizon (VZ) is expected to add between 750,000 and 1 million net postpaid customers this year in a mature wireless market, and with a 5.72% dividend yield and 19 consecutive years of dividend increases, it remains a solid investment choice despite slow market growth.
- Equinix's Growth Potential: Equinix (EQIX), a data center operator, reported $2.44 billion in revenue last year, a 10% year-over-year increase, and the AI data center industry is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 25%, enhancing its appeal as a high-dividend stock.
- Attraction of Dividend Growth: All three companies demonstrate strong dividend growth potential, with Merck and Equinix boasting 11 and 19 years of dividend history respectively, suggesting they will continue to provide stable cash flow to investors over the next decade.
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Analyst Views on VZ
Wall Street analysts forecast VZ stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 48.490
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
Current: 48.490
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
About VZ
Verizon Communications Inc. is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides communications, technology, information and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses and government entities. Its Consumer segment provides wireless and wireline communications services. It also provides fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband through its 5G or 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks portfolio. The Company's Business segment provides wireless and wireline communications services and products, including FWA broadband, data, video and advanced communication services, corporate networking solutions, security and managed network services, local and long-distance voice services and network access to deliver various Internet of Things (IoT) services and products. It provides these products and services to businesses, public sector customers and wireless and wireline carriers across the U.S. and a subset of these products and services to customers around the world.
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.
- Stock Surge: AST SpaceMobile's shares jumped 12.91% to $13.67 on Tuesday, reflecting strong market anticipation for SpaceX's upcoming IPO, projected to be the largest in history, raising about $75 billion at a $2 trillion valuation.
- Increased Market Attention: The progress of SpaceX's rocket development and its forthcoming IPO has drawn investor interest, leading to a wave of capital flowing into the entire space industry, with AST SpaceMobile gaining significant attention as a leading satellite broadband provider.
- Satellite Deployment Goals: AST SpaceMobile aims to deploy 45 relatively low-cost satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, and with its vertically integrated manufacturing network and agreements with top launch partners like SpaceX and Blue Origin, the company is well-positioned to achieve this goal.
- Strategic Partnerships: AST SpaceMobile stands to benefit from a recently announced joint venture among AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, as these telecom giants seek to enhance mobile connectivity for their customers using satellite technologies to eliminate dead zones across the U.S.
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- Satellite Launch Progress: AST SpaceMobile's Block 2 satellites have successfully arrived in Florida, with plans to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in mid-June, marking a significant step forward in the company's efforts to establish a space-based cellular broadband network for standard smartphones.
- FCC Approval and Partner Support: The company has secured regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for commercial satellite-to-phone operations in the U.S., bolstered by support from major wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, which strengthens its market position.
- Investor Confidence Restored: By successfully transporting three commercial satellites to Cape Canaveral on schedule, AST SpaceMobile aims to reassure investors that its manufacturing and launch pipeline remains intact, resulting in nearly a 6% stock price increase during Monday's trading.
- Retail Trader Sentiment Optimistic: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the stock remains in 'bullish' territory, with over an 80% surge in message volume within 24 hours, as investors express anticipation for an upcoming launch date announcement, viewing it as an additional catalyst.
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- Merck's Drug Pipeline: Merck (MRK) is facing the loss of U.S. patent protection for its cancer drug Keytruda by 2028, yet the company is strategically acquiring Verona Pharma and Terns Pharmaceuticals, potentially adding up to $4 billion in annual revenue from new treatments, indicating strong growth prospects over the next decade.
- Verizon's Stability: Verizon (VZ) is expected to add between 750,000 and 1 million net postpaid customers this year in a mature wireless market, and with a 5.72% dividend yield and 19 consecutive years of dividend increases, it remains a solid investment choice despite slow market growth.
- Equinix's Growth Potential: Equinix (EQIX), a data center operator, reported $2.44 billion in revenue last year, a 10% year-over-year increase, and the AI data center industry is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 25%, enhancing its appeal as a high-dividend stock.
- Attraction of Dividend Growth: All three companies demonstrate strong dividend growth potential, with Merck and Equinix boasting 11 and 19 years of dividend history respectively, suggesting they will continue to provide stable cash flow to investors over the next decade.
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- Enbridge's Strong Performance: Enbridge boasts a forward dividend yield of 4.9%, nearly five times that of the S&P 500, and has increased its dividend for 31 consecutive years, reflecting its leadership in the midstream energy sector and stable cash flow, with $50 billion in growth opportunities projected over the next four years.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Stability: Enterprise Products Partners offers a distribution yield of 5.6% and has raised its distribution for 27 years, with a 57% cash flow payout ratio, highlighting its crucial role in the North American midstream energy market while maintaining steady cash flow over the past 20 years.
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- IPO Valuation Target: SpaceX is aiming for a staggering $1.75 trillion valuation upon its Nasdaq debut, positioning itself as one of the most valuable companies in the market and likely attracting significant investor interest.
- Diverse Revenue Streams: According to the latest S1 filing, SpaceX's 'Space' and 'Connectivity' segments generated over $4 billion in revenue in 2025, showcasing its strong market position in rocket launches and satellite internet services.
- Industry Classification Challenges: Given SpaceX's involvement in multiple sectors, MSCI and S&P face complexities in determining its final industry classification, which could place it in either the Communication Services or Industrials sector, impacting its appeal to investors.
- Future Growth Potential: Musk indicated that future AI computing will rely on solar-powered satellites in space, and SpaceX's innovative approach to data centers could enable it to achieve lower operational costs over time, thereby securing a more advantageous position in the market.
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- International Travel Package: On May 18, AT&T announced the launch of an eSIM package for international travelers visiting the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, offering unlimited data and 5GB of hotspot access during the summer soccer events, with plans to expand to unlimited talk and text, aiming to enhance customer experience and attract more international users.
- Simplified eSIM Options: The company also simplified its eSIM offerings by providing flexible options, including one-day passes in the U.S. and the ability to purchase wireless coverage either in the U.S. or across North America, which will allow customers to choose based on their needs, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.
- Joint Venture Initiative: On May 14, AT&T announced a joint agreement with T-Mobile and Verizon to form a joint venture aimed at addressing wireless dead zones in the U.S., particularly in rural areas, by pooling limited spectrum resources to enhance network capacity and customer experience, which is expected to positively impact future network coverage.
- Market Outlook Analysis: While analysts acknowledge AT&T's potential as an investment, they also highlight that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, reflecting the market's focus on diverse investment strategies across different technology sectors.
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