Investors Turn to Emerging Dividend Aristocrats for Stability
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy CRM?
Source: CNBC
- Market Haven: In 2026, investors are turning to stable dividend payers due to concerns over artificial intelligence, with Wolfe Research noting that the Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) has risen over 9% year-to-date, demonstrating the effectiveness of its defensive strategy amid economic uncertainty.
- Telecom Performance: Verizon has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, with a 20% stock price increase in 2026 and a current dividend yield of about 5.8%; despite cautious analyst sentiment, Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded it to buy, highlighting its stable profits and dividends.
- Costco's Steady Growth: Costco has consistently raised its dividend over the past 20 years, recently increasing its quarterly payout from $1.16 to $1.30, with a 14% stock price rise in 2026, and analysts predict it will be a key beneficiary in a stimulated consumer environment, with a projected 6% upside in stock price over the next year.
- Emerging Dividend Aristocrats List: In addition to Verizon and Costco, Wolfe Research identified companies like BlackRock, Hershey Co, and Waste Management as emerging dividend aristocrats, highlighting their appeal and stability in an uncertain market.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy CRM?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on CRM
Wall Street analysts forecast CRM stock price to rise
39 Analyst Rating
29 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 196.050
Low
223.00
Averages
326.40
High
405.00
Current: 196.050
Low
223.00
Averages
326.40
High
405.00
About CRM
Salesforce, Inc. is a provider of customer relationship management (CRM) technology. The Company helps organizations of any size reimagine their business for the world of artificial intelligence (AI). With Agentforce, its platform, organizations can bring humans together with AI agents to drive customer success on one deeply unified platform. With the Salesforce platform, it delivers a single source of truth, connecting customer data with integrated AI across systems, apps and devices to help companies sell, service, market and conduct commerce from anywhere. Agentforce is a new layer of the Salesforce platform that enables companies to build and deploy AI agents that can respond to inputs, make decisions and take action autonomously across business functions. Agentforce includes a suite of customizable agents for use across sales, service, marketing and commerce. Datablazer is a data-driven innovator, which leverages the Company’s platform to unlock insights and drive decisions.
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.
Analysis of Salesforce's Continued Stock Decline
- Poor Stock Performance: Salesforce's stock has fallen 27% this year, nearing a three-year low, despite the company's positioning as a beneficiary of AI, indicating market concerns about its future growth.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: On February 25, Salesforce reported fourth-quarter earnings with revenue of $11.2 billion, a 12% year-over-year increase, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $11.18 billion, while adjusted earnings per share were $3.81, significantly above the $3.04 expected by Wall Street.
- Future Growth Projections: The company projects a revenue increase of about 10% to 11% for the new fiscal year, which, while decent, appears modest given the context of AI-related opportunities that Salesforce has been promoting.
- Increased Market Competition: Despite strong earnings, there are doubts about whether Salesforce's software will continue to provide sufficient value to retain customers, as AI's rise could intensify competition and threaten demand for Salesforce's offerings.
See More
HubSpot and Other Software Stocks Are Recovering; Anticipate Upcoming Developments.
Software Stocks Recovery: Software stocks are showing signs of recovery after a period of decline due to concerns about AI impacting their business.
Investor Concerns: Investors may soon discover which companies are truly at risk from the rise of artificial intelligence.
See More
Reasons Salesforce Stock Could Still Thrive in the AI Landscape
Business Adoption of AI: Business customers have been hesitant to systematically adopt artificial intelligence tools, but this trend is starting to change.
Salesforce's AI Revenue: Salesforce, a notable software company, has reported that while its core AI revenue is currently small, it is experiencing rapid growth.
See More
Salesforce Shares May Increase Despite AI Challenges
AI Adoption Trends: Business customers have been slow to systematically adopt AI tools, but this trend is starting to change as conservatism fades.
Salesforce's AI Revenue: Salesforce, a notable software company, has reported that while its core AI revenue is currently small, it is experiencing rapid growth.
See More
Chinese Startups Accelerate Global Expansion
- Global Market Opportunity: Tripo AI reports that around 90% of its users are from outside China, indicating strong demand in the global market, which is expected to drive future revenue growth for the company.
- Rapid Revenue Growth: Since launching its 3D model generation platform in June 2025, Tripo has quickly surpassed $1 million in monthly revenue, demonstrating the success of its products in international markets.
- Significant Market Potential: iSales has generated over $1 million in revenue since June by helping over 300 small manufacturers find buyers abroad, showcasing the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing in the international arena.
- Clear Financing Strategy: Both Tripo and iSales prioritize fundraising from U.S. dollar-based investors with plans to list in Hong Kong in the future, reflecting their focus on international markets and long-term growth objectives.
See More
Global Stock Markets Retreat as Oil Prices Surge
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.94%, reaching a 3.25-month low, reflecting investor concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, which may impact future investment decisions and market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 4% to an 8.5-month high due to threats from Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: European natural gas prices surged more than 22% to a three-year high after Qatar's Ras Laffan plant was targeted by an Iranian drone attack, posing significant risks to global liquefied natural gas supply and market stability.
- Economic Data Expectations: This week, the ADP employment change is expected to increase by 50,000, while the ISM services index is projected to slip slightly, with markets closely monitoring these indicators to assess economic health and potential implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
See More
Analysis of Salesforce's Continued Stock Decline
- Poor Stock Performance: Salesforce's stock has fallen 27% this year, nearing a three-year low, despite the company's positioning as a beneficiary of AI, indicating market concerns about its future growth.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: On February 25, Salesforce reported fourth-quarter earnings with revenue of $11.2 billion, a 12% year-over-year increase, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $11.18 billion, while adjusted earnings per share were $3.81, significantly above the $3.04 expected by Wall Street.
- Future Growth Projections: The company projects a revenue increase of about 10% to 11% for the new fiscal year, which, while decent, appears modest given the context of AI-related opportunities that Salesforce has been promoting.
- Increased Market Competition: Despite strong earnings, there are doubts about whether Salesforce's software will continue to provide sufficient value to retain customers, as AI's rise could intensify competition and threaten demand for Salesforce's offerings.
See More
HubSpot and Other Software Stocks Are Recovering; Anticipate Upcoming Developments.
Software Stocks Recovery: Software stocks are showing signs of recovery after a period of decline due to concerns about AI impacting their business.
Investor Concerns: Investors may soon discover which companies are truly at risk from the rise of artificial intelligence.
See More
Reasons Salesforce Stock Could Still Thrive in the AI Landscape
Business Adoption of AI: Business customers have been hesitant to systematically adopt artificial intelligence tools, but this trend is starting to change.
Salesforce's AI Revenue: Salesforce, a notable software company, has reported that while its core AI revenue is currently small, it is experiencing rapid growth.
See More
Salesforce Shares May Increase Despite AI Challenges
AI Adoption Trends: Business customers have been slow to systematically adopt AI tools, but this trend is starting to change as conservatism fades.
Salesforce's AI Revenue: Salesforce, a notable software company, has reported that while its core AI revenue is currently small, it is experiencing rapid growth.
See More
Chinese Startups Accelerate Global Expansion
- Global Market Opportunity: Tripo AI reports that around 90% of its users are from outside China, indicating strong demand in the global market, which is expected to drive future revenue growth for the company.
- Rapid Revenue Growth: Since launching its 3D model generation platform in June 2025, Tripo has quickly surpassed $1 million in monthly revenue, demonstrating the success of its products in international markets.
- Significant Market Potential: iSales has generated over $1 million in revenue since June by helping over 300 small manufacturers find buyers abroad, showcasing the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing in the international arena.
- Clear Financing Strategy: Both Tripo and iSales prioritize fundraising from U.S. dollar-based investors with plans to list in Hong Kong in the future, reflecting their focus on international markets and long-term growth objectives.
See More
Global Stock Markets Retreat as Oil Prices Surge
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.94%, reaching a 3.25-month low, reflecting investor concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, which may impact future investment decisions and market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 4% to an 8.5-month high due to threats from Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: European natural gas prices surged more than 22% to a three-year high after Qatar's Ras Laffan plant was targeted by an Iranian drone attack, posing significant risks to global liquefied natural gas supply and market stability.
- Economic Data Expectations: This week, the ADP employment change is expected to increase by 50,000, while the ISM services index is projected to slip slightly, with markets closely monitoring these indicators to assess economic health and potential implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
See More
