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The past 18 months have witnessed a remarkable surge in artificial intelligence stocks, particularly among the so-called Magnificent 7. While these stocks have delivered impressive returns for their investors, the broader S&P 500 remains stagnant and is unlikely to match the hype-driven gains of AI stocks in the near future.

Morgan Stanley’s Top Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks

A recent screening of Morgan Stanley's June list of blue-chip dividend stocks rated Overweight has highlighted six top companies with solid total return potential and reliable dividends. These stocks, selected by one of the world’s most prestigious investment banks, are poised to attract savvy investors seeking passive income opportunities.

Morgan Stanley, a globally recognized leader in the investment world, boasts a top-tier research department known for delivering some of the best investment ideas across the spectrum. This reputation reinforces the confidence in the longevity and potential of their recommended stock picks.

BP PLC: A Premier Dividend Stock

Among these picks is BP PLC (NYSE:BP), a premier European integrated oil giant offering a substantial 4.72% dividend yield. BP operates globally through various segments, including Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, Customers & Products, and Rosneft.

BP's diverse operations span producing and trading natural gas, providing biofuels, operating onshore and offshore wind and solar power facilities, and delivering decarbonization solutions and services such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.

British American Tobacco PLC

Renowned brands, including Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, and Rothmans, enable British American Tobacco PLC (NYSE:BTI) to produce and market cigarettes and other tobacco products. In addition to its conventional products, the business promotes Vapour Products, including e-cigarettes and Tobacco Heating Products.

Attractive for income-oriented investors, this European financial master is producing significant profits and presents an amazing 9.57% dividend yield.

Gaming and Leisure Properties

Often neglected, Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (NASDAQ:GLPI) offers investors a strong 6.64% dividend yield and consistent total return potential. Under triple-net lease agreements, the firm specializes in acquiring, financing, and owning real estate properties—which it leases to gambling operators.

Under a triple-net lease, the tenant covers all facility upkeep, insurance, property taxes, utilities, and other required services about the leased facilities and business.

Gaming and Leisure Properties signed a 30-year master lease deal and paid $175 million for the real estate assets of Tioga Downs Casino Resort earlier this year. The company revealed a 5.8% year-over-year rise in first-quarter sales.

Lazard

Lazard Inc. (NYSE:LAZ), a leading global financial advisory and asset management firm, boasts solid momentum and offers shareholders a dependable 5.17% dividend yield. The company operates in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia through two primary segments: Financial Advisory and Asset Management.

Lazard Inc. operates through two primary segments: Financial Advisory and Asset Management. The Financial Advisory segment offers a comprehensive suite of services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, shareholder and sovereign advisory, geopolitical advisory, strategic advisory services, restructuring, and liability management.

Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) continues to expand its global market share, commanding 28% of the worldwide cigarette and heated tobacco market and offering a substantial 5.22% dividend yield.

As one of the largest international cigarette producers, Philip Morris is making significant strides with IQOS, its heat-not-burn product. It is commercialized in over 40 markets and is expected to drive future earnings growth.

Despite recent weakness in its share price due to investor concerns over the growth potential of its reduced-risk products, many on Wall Street remain confident in Philip Morris’s superior underlying growth prospects, both in the near term and long term. Notably, the company’s sales are generated outside the United States.

Ternium

Based on headquarters in Luxembourg, Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX) shows good growth potential and a substantial 7.82% dividend yield. The business is major in producing and distributing steel goods throughout Mexico, Brazil, and other countries.

The steel section of Ternium offers Slabs, hot and cold rolled products, coated goods, roll-formed and tubular products, bars, billets, and more. The mining division also concentrates on selling iron ore and pellets.

The Usiminas section improves Ternium’s range even more with services ranging from iron ore extraction and steel transformation to manufacturing capital goods and logistics.

Looking For Higher-Yield Opportunities?

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Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings.

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

This article Morgan Stanley's Top Blue-Chip High-Dividend Stock Ratings For June originally appeared on Benzinga.com

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.