If you are an income investor and wanting to beef up your portfolio with some blue chip picks, then it could be worth looking at the ASX dividend stocks in this article.
They have both been named as buys by brokers and tipped to offer attractive yields in the near term. Here's what you need to know about them:
Image Source: Getty Images
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
The team at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) thinks that BHP could be an ASX dividend stock to buy now.
The broker currently has an outperform rating and $42.00 price target on the mining giant's shares.
Its analysts have been impressed by the performance of the massive Escondida operation. They recently said:
Outperform. With the Escondida improved outlook, we note BHP is actively looking to improve FCF outcomes over the medium term horizon. Pricing in US$72/t iron ore (all other prices at spot), we see value here noting its asset quality.
As for income, the broker expects the Big Australian to pay fully franked dividends per share of 96 US cents (147.8 Australian cents) in FY 2025 and then 107 US cents (164.7 Australian cents) in FY 2026. Based on its current share price of $38.60, this equates to dividend yields of 3.8% and 4.25%, respectively.
Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN)
Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy according to analysts is Harvey Norman. It is one of Australia's largest household and consumer goods retailers with stores across the country and overseas.
Bell Potter is bullish on the company and has a buy rating and $6.00 price target on its shares.
The broker thinks that its valuation is attractive, particularly given its property division and exposure to an AI driven upgrade cycle. It explains:
We see HVN trading attractively at ~15x on a 1-year forward basis with multiple catalysts near/midterm such as improving sales trends in key markets assisted by a sizable upside from the AI driven upgrade cycle/replacement & spend shift to tech, gaining penetration in targeted regions in the UK in addition to the incremental earnings opportunities in its Property division as Australia's largest single owner with a $4.4b global portfolio.
In respect to dividends, the broker is forecasting fully franked payouts of 25.4 cents per share in FY 2025 and then 28.1 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on the current Harvey Norman share price of $5.41, this will mean dividend yields of 4.7% and 5.2%, respectively.
