Dividend payers offered investors a measure of safety during a turbulent March, and Bank of America called out a few names that stood out when times became rocky. Stocks in the value and dividends category put on strong performances in March, as uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariff policy rattled the major averages, Bank of America found. The S & P 500 fell about 5.8% last month, and it’s already down more than 3% in April. “In March, as global equities fell -4.1% on concerns tariffs could increase and slow growth, the best performing global styles were Value and Dividends,” Bank of America quant strategist Nigel Tupper said in an April 11 report. The value category gained 1.5% last month, while the dividend group advanced 1.4%. In particular, “turbo dividends” have emerged as the strongest “extreme style” in 2025, Bank of America found. That cohort has posted a return of 11.6% this year, versus the MSCI All Country World Index’s 1.7% decline. To that end, Bank of America issued a “Global Turbo Dividends” list, including a handful of names in the U.S. Stocks that made the list have a median reported dividend yield of 5%, a five-year dividend growth rate of 138.7%, and a five-year dividend payout rate of 34%. Here are some that cleared the bar. Albertsons emerged on the firm’s list. Shares are up about 1% in 2025, and the stock has a dividend yield of about 2.5%. Albertsons shares were down nearly 8% on Tuesday after the supermarket chain issued full-year guidance that underwhelmed Wall Street. The company called for full-year adjusted earnings to range from $2.03 to $2.16 per share, while consensus estimates sought $2.28 per share, per FactSet. Nevertheless, Albertsons is poised to emerge a winner amid tariff uncertainty, analysts say. Wells Fargo analyst Edward Kelly is overweight on the grocer, noting that “pure play grocers have very limited tariff exposure and no need to broadly raise price.” Albertsons is a “good defensively positioned” stock, he wrote in a Tuesday report. “Industry fundamentals look to be slowly improving, competitive pricing pressure may ease with tariffs,” Kelly said. “Conventional grocers should benefit from the healthy eating trend.” Ten of the 21 analysts covering Albertsons rate it a buy or strong buy, with consensus price targets calling for 18% upside from current levels, per LSEG. Bank of America called out Corebridge Financial , an insurer and retirement services provider. Piper Sandler analyst John Barnidge, who is overweight on the stock, lifted his price target to $38 from $35 earlier this month. He trimmed his earnings per share expectations for the full year, however, reducing his forecast by 10 cents to $5 a share and citing “lower variable investment income and spread compression.” Nevertheless, he likes the name, noting that Corebridge returned $2.3 billion to shareholders in 2024, with $1.8 billion worth of share repurchases. “CRBG has been leaning into share repurchases with an expectation by us that the company will exceed its free cash flow conversion targets,” he said. “The board announced a share repurchase authorization of $2 billion for ’25.” Shares are off 6% in 2025, and they have a dividend yield of 3.4%. In all, 12 of 16 analysts deem the name a buy or strong buy. Price targets suggest 27% upside, per LSEG. Hospital operator HCA Healthcare also turned up on Bank of America’s list. The stock is up 12% in 2025, and it offers a dividend yield of 0.8%. The name is well-liked on Wall Street, with 17 analysts out of 26 rating it a buy or strong buy, and consensus price targets suggesting about 12% upside, per LSEG. Mizuho rates the stock as outperform. “We believe HCA is a solid long-term investment opportunity that provides consistent earnings growth, a healthy balance sheet, solid free cash generation, and a return to shareholders through dividends, share buybacks and strategic bolt-on acquisitions,” Mizuho analyst Ann Hynes said in an April 8 report. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today’s dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles, and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You’ll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited!
