Blue-chip stocks are well-known for their resilience during times of economic stress.
Their reputation, track record and vast experience in managing through good times and bad give investors peace of mind.
To add icing on the cake, the bulk of blue-chip stocks also pay out a dividend, thereby helping to generate a stream of passive income for the patient investor.
With the current economic headwinds caused by high inflation and rising interest rates, it makes sense to include some blue-chip stocks within your portfolio to buffer against the storm.
Fortunately, several strong blue-chip companies can not only withstand these headwinds but have also raised their dividends to boot.
Here are four that you can consider adding to your buy watchlist.
OCBC Ltd (SGX: O39)
OCBC is Singapore’s second-largest bank by market capitalisation and offers a comprehensive range of banking, investment, and insurance services to both individuals and corporations.
The bank reported a sparkling set of earnings for 2022 and hiked its final dividend by 43% year on year.
The total dividend paid out last year came up to S$0.68, 28% higher than 2021’s S$0.53.
There’s reason to believe that the bank could continue to pay out more.
For its recent fiscal 2023’s first quarter (1Q 2023), OCBC announced a record net profit of S$1.88 billion led by robust net interest income growth.
The US Federal Reserve has stated its intention to keep interest rates higher for longer and may also implement more rate hikes as it continues to battle inflation.
Net interest income could stay elevated in the current and next years due to this decision.
Earlier this week, OCBC also announced a rebranding exercise and came up with a new logo and tagline.
The lender is also targeting to deliver S$3 billion in incremental revenue by 2025 on top of its current growth trajectory.
Sembcorp Industries Ltd (SGX: U96)
Sembcorp Industries Ltd, or SCI, is a utility and urban development group.
The blue-chip company more than tripled its net profit for 2022 and more than doubled its annual dividend from S$0.05 in 2021 to S$0.12 last year.
There could be a further dividend increase in store as SCI undertakes various business development initiatives.
The group has secured a contract to develop a new multi-utilities centre on Jurong island that will be fully operational by 2026.
The utility giant also signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with Singtel (SGX: Z74) worth around S$180 million annually commencing 1 October of this year.
And in June, a gas sales agreement was inked with an Indonesian company to import natural piped gas.
Delivery will commence in 2024 for four years.
SCI will announce its fiscal 2023’s first-half results on the morning of August 4.
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd (SGX: BS6)
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, or YZJ, is one of the largest shipbuilding companies in China.
The group owns five shipyards in Jiangsu Province that can construct a broad range of commercial vessels such as large containerships, bulk carriers, and LNG carriers.
For 2022, YZJ paid out a dividend of S$0.05 per share, unchanged from a year ago, as net profit for the year leapt 31% year on year to RMB 2.6 billion.
There is optimism that the shipbuilder can pay out a higher dividend this year.
Year-to-date, YZJ has secured a total of 69 new vessel orders worth around US$5.6 billion, surpassing its 2023 target of US$3 billion.
The group’s order book value stands at its highest-ever level of US$14.6 billion for 180 vessels as of 26 June.
Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U)
Mapletree Logistics Trust, or MLT, is an industrial REIT with a portfolio of 185 properties spread out across eight countries.
The REIT’s assets under management stood at S$12.8 billion as of 31 March 2023.
MLT reported a commendable performance for its fiscal 2023 (FY2023) ending 31 March.
Gross revenue rose 7.7% year on year to S$730.6 million while net property income improved by 7.2% year on year to S$634.8 million.
The distribution per unit (DPU) inched up 2.5% year on year to S$0.09011.
Unitholders should feel assured that the REIT can continue to increase its DPU as portfolio occupancy stood high at 97% as of 31 March 2023.
The REIT also enjoyed a positive rental reversion of 3.1% and its portfolio saw a revaluation gain of S$224.2 million for FY2023.
MLT is going through a portfolio rejuvenation as it acquires eight properties in Japan, Sydney, and Seoul while it looks to divest a Hong Kong asset.
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Disclosure: Royston Yang does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
