The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Honeywell International, Accenture, City Holding and First United

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – October 2, 2024 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Honeywell International Inc. HON, Accenture plc ACN, City Holding Co. CHCO and First United Corp. FUNC.Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:Time to Buy These 4 Stocks with Rising Dividend YieldsWall Street is back in rally and ended September on a high after a rough start to what is historically considered the worst month for stocks. The Federal Reserve’s jumbo rate cut has also fueled the stock market rally.However, concerns remain about the economy's health, which saw consumer confidence decline in September. Given this situation, cautious investors looking for a steady income and preservation of their capital may want to continue holding or buying dividend-paying stocks. Four such stocks are Honeywell International Inc., Accenture plc, City Holding Co. and First United Corp.Wall Steet Rallies After Rate CutsWall Street had a choppy start to September after fears were reignited that the economy was slowing and the Federal Reserve may have delayed too long to start its easing cycle. However, stocks rebounded after fresh economic data showed that inflation declined further in August.Also, the Federal Reserve finally announced a half-percentage point rate cut in its September policy meeting. Stocks have since been on a rally. On Monday, the rally was fueled by comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who said that more rate cuts could be coming. On Monday, the S&P 500 closed at a new record high of 5,762.48 points.September has historically been the worst month for Wall Street but stock markets defied the norm this year. The S&P 500, the Dow and the Nasdaq closed higher by 2%, 1.9% and 2.7%, respectively, for the month.Sinking Consumer Confidence Could Make Stock Markets VolatileAlthough stocks have been performing well, concerns remain about the economy’s health. Market participants were expecting a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Fed in September. Many have been viewing the Fed’s decision to cut rates by 50 basis points as an aggressive step to help the economy make a soft landing.Concerns over a slowing economy saw consumer confidence drop to 98.7 in September from an upwardly revised 105.6 in August to its lowest level in three years.Given this situation, it would thus be ideal to invest in dividend stocks. These companies, with their solid operations, consistently deliver dividends and stay profitable thanks to their dependable business models. In a market with high volatility, companies that provide substantial dividend payouts often perform better than those that do not offer dividends.Dividend Paying Stocks Are a Safe BetHoneywell International Inc.Honeywell International Inc. is a global diversified technology and manufacturing company, with a wide range of products and services. HON's diversified portfolio of solutions serves customers globally with aerospace products and services, energy-efficient products and solutions for businesses, and process technology, specialty chemicals, electronic and advanced materials for refining and petrochemicals. Honeywell International has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.On Sept. 27, Honeywell International announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $1.13 a share on Dec. 6, 2024. HON has a dividend yield of 2.08%. Over the past five years, Honeywell International has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio at present sits at 45% of earnings. Check Honeywell International’s dividend history here.Honeywell International Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Honeywell International Inc. QuoteAccenture plcAccenture plc’s years of investment in digital, cloud and security strategy have helped it evolve as a trusted and viable consulting services provider. ACN is currently one of the top consultancy firms in the world by revenues that increased 4% in fiscal 2023 with a contribution of 52% from consulting services. Accenture has a Zacks Rank #3.On Sept. 26, Accenture declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $1.48 a share on Nov. 15, 2024. ACN has a dividend yield of 1.48%. Over the past five years, Accenture has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio at present sits at 43% of earnings. Check Accenture’s dividend history here.Accenture PLC dividend-yield-ttm | Accenture PLC QuoteCity Holding CompanyCity Holding Company is a multi-bank holding company that provides diversified financial products and services to consumers and local businesses. CHCO carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).On Sept. 25, City Holding Company announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.79 a share on Oct. 31, 2024. CHCO has a dividend yield of 2.45%. Over the past five years, City Holding Company has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio at present sits at 37% of earnings. Check City Holding Company’s dividend history here.City Holding Company dividend-yield-ttm | City Holding Company QuoteFirst United CorporationFirst United Corporation is a one-bank holding company with two non-bank subsidiaries. FUNC carries a Zacks Rank #3.On Sept. 25, First United Corporation declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.22 a share on Nov. 1, 2024. FUNC has a dividend yield of 2.69%. Over the past five years, First United Corporation has increased its dividend five times, and its payout ratio at present sits at 28% of earnings. Check First United Corporation’s dividend history here.First United Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | First United Corporation QuoteWhy Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.7% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Accenture PLC (ACN): Free Stock Analysis Report Honeywell International Inc. (HON): Free Stock Analysis Report City Holding Company (CHCO): Free Stock Analysis Report First United Corporation (FUNC): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks