## Seeking Shelter in Dividends: Analyst Ratings for High-Yielding Financials
When market turbulence reigns, investors often turn to dividend-paying stocks. These companies, often boasting strong free cash flow, provide a reliable stream of income for shareholders, making them an attractive option during uncertain times. Today, we’ll focus on the financial sector, specifically examining analyst ratings for three high-yielding stocks: Lincoln National Corporation (LNC), Heritage Commerce Corp (HTBK), and Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB).
Lincoln National Corporation (LNC):
With a juicy dividend yield of 5.47%, Lincoln National Corporation has attracted attention from analysts. Elyse Greenspan, an analyst at Wells Fargo, maintained an Equal-Weight rating while raising the price target from $28 to $29 on October 10th. Greenspan boasts a 75% accuracy rate. Barclays analyst Alex Scott also maintained an Equal-Weight rating, increasing the price target from $35 to $36 on October 8th. Scott’s accuracy rate sits at 66%. Recent news suggests Lincoln National posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings on October 31st. Stay updated on the latest LNC news with Benzinga Pro’s real-time newsfeed.
Heritage Commerce Corp (HTBK):
Heritage Commerce Corp, with a dividend yield of 5.44%, is another high-yielding financial stock. Analyst Andrew Liesch from Piper Sandler maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $10 to $12 on July 26th. Liesch has a 78% accuracy rate. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Wood Lay also kept an Outperform rating, pushing the price target from $10.5 to $11.5 on the same date. Lay’s accuracy rate is 62%. On October 24th, Heritage Commerce posted in-line quarterly earnings. Stay up-to-date with the latest HTBK news using Benzinga Pro’s real-time newsfeed.
Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB):
Boasting a dividend yield of 5.19%, Columbia Banking System has garnered interest from analysts. Truist Securities analyst Brandon King maintained a Hold rating, but increased the price target from $28 to $30 on October 28th. King has an impressive 81% accuracy rate. RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom also maintained a Sector Perform rating, raising the price target from $29 to $31 on October 25th. Arfstrom boasts a 79% accuracy rate. On October 24th, Columbia Banking System reported better-than-expected quarterly results. Benzinga Pro’s charting tool can be a valuable asset for identifying trends in COLB stock.
This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Conduct thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
