If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love digging into our Dividend Stocks Rock member data—not to predict the next big thing, but to see what long-term investors are actually holding year after year. Last week, we looked at the most popular Canadian stocks among DSR PRO members. Now it’s time to see what shows up across U.S. portfolios.
Remember, this isn’t about hype or chasing trends. These are the companies that thousands of seasoned investors have kept through good times and bad. When you see the same names pop up across 2,600+ portfolios, it says something.
Today, we’ll look at three of the most widely held U.S. dividend stocks and break down the bull and bear cases behind them. These companies aren’t perfect—but they’ve earned their spot through a mix of consistency, growth, and staying power.
Microsoft (MSFT) – The Growth Engine That Pays Dividends
Microsoft is currently DSR’s most-held U.S. stock. With a business model spanning software, cloud, and artificial intelligence, Microsoft has become an indispensable part of the corporate world. Its productivity tools and cloud infrastructure power the modern economy.
Why it’s in the top 5
Microsoft delivers both income and innovation. It dominates key markets like cloud computing and enterprise software, while consistently raising its dividend.
What seasoned investors like
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Strong dividend triangle: consistent growth in revenue, EPS, and dividends.
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Multi-pronged growth strategy: AI, Azure cloud, gaming, and subscription software.
DSR Bull Case
Microsoft is a dominant force in enterprise tech, with deep roots in productivity software, cloud, and AI. Its Azure platform (~$75B in annual revenue) anchors cloud growth, while Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn boost recurring revenue. AI integration across Office, GitHub, and Azure enhances productivity and client stickiness. With cross-segment synergy, strong customer retention, and unmatched enterprise scale, Microsoft is positioned for durable growth. Its wide moat, driven by switching costs and ecosystem lock-in, makes it a long-term core holding for dividend growth and total return investors.
DSR Bear Case
While Microsoft remains structurally strong, it faces mounting pressure from AI competition, saturation in mature segments like Windows and Office, and the challenge of integrating major acquisitions like Activision. Slower growth in legacy products and high CapEx demands to support Azure and AI infrastructure may strain margins if demand softens. Regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe, and fierce competition from AWS, Google Cloud, and enterprise software rivals like Salesforce and Oracle, add further complexity. In fast-evolving markets, even a dominant player must continually innovate just to defend its lead.
Its portfolio role
A high-quality core holding—ideal for growth-oriented investors who still want rising income.
A List that Filters the Best Dividend Stocks for You
Now it’s time to search for the stock that perfectly fits your portfolio using the same tools from Dividend Stocks Rock!
We have created a list of dividend growers you can filter by sector and metrics, based on the Dividend Triangle, the foundation of the DSR investment strategy.
We believe that stocks showing growing revenue, EPS, and dividend trends are the ones showing the biggest trust in their business model and future growth. This is why we only pick among them.
Download the Dividend Rock Star List to narrow your research and focus on quality. The list is updated monthly!
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Apple (AAPL) – The Ecosystem King with Services Growth
Apple has transformed itself from a hardware company into a cash flow machine built around an ecosystem of products and services. While the iPhone still drives nearly half of revenue, services now make up over 25% of its business and continue to grow.
Why it’s in the top 5
Apple offers brand power, customer loyalty, and multiple income streams with global reach.
What seasoned investors like
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Massive free cash flow, enabling buybacks and dividend hikes.
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Growth in high-margin services and wearables segments.
DSR Bull Case
Apple is a global cash machine with a vertically integrated ecosystem that drives brand loyalty, recurring revenue, and margin strength. While iPhone sales remain central, services now exceed 25% of revenue and are growing fast. Custom silicon and Apple Intelligence (AI) deepen integration across devices, boosting retention and user monetization. Expansion in wearables, India, and new form factors like Vision Pro offer additional growth vectors. With unmatched scale, operational efficiency, and a wide moat built on ecosystem lock-in, Apple continues to compound shareholder value across market cycles.
DSR Bear Case
Apple’s growth is showing signs of maturity, with over half its revenue still tied to the iPhone—leaving it vulnerable to saturation and slower upgrade cycles. Regulatory scrutiny threatens App Store margins and ecosystem exclusivity, while supply chain reliance on China and Taiwan poses geopolitical and tariff risks. Efforts to internalize modem production and launch new hardware like Vision Pro add execution risk. Meanwhile, competitors are gaining ground in AI and services. Trading at a premium, Apple could disappoint if innovation or monetization lags expectations.
Its portfolio role
A growth-anchored dividend stock—ideal for total return seekers and long-term compounders.
Visa (V) – Reliable Growth from the Digital Payment Leader
Visa is the global leader in digital payments, operating a highly profitable, asset-light model. Every swipe, tap, or online checkout that routes through its network generates a small, steady fee.
Why it’s in the top 5
Visa dominates a secular growth trend—digital and cross-border payments.
What seasoned investors like
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Impressive dividend growth (CAGR over 15%).
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Minimal debt and strong cash generation.
DSR Bull Case
Visa has built the world’s most trusted payment network, benefiting from the unstoppable shift toward electronic transactions. Regardless of consumer debt or economic cycles, its tollbooth-like model generates revenue on every swipe, tap, or click. With global partnerships, strong inflation insulation, and exposure across payment categories, Visa offers durable growth. The company’s early moves into crypto and digital innovation show it’s adapting to the future of finance. With high margins, minimal debt, and consistent dividend growth, Visa remains a premier long-term compounder in any market environment.
DSR Bear Case
Visa’s tollbooth model is highly profitable—but it’s also under scrutiny. Regulatory pressure, including a DOJ complaint, targets its debit transaction practices and fee structure, potentially forcing changes that could erode margins. Merchants and banks continue to push back against transaction fees, creating opportunities for lower-cost disruptors. While Visa has embraced digital payments and crypto integration, innovation cycles are accelerating, and new technologies could challenge its dominance. Additionally, Visa’s performance remains tied to global spending trends, making it vulnerable to economic slowdowns and recessionary dips in transaction volume.
Its portfolio role
A low-yield, high-growth accelerator—ideal for boosting long-term portfolio performance.
Final Thoughts: These Picks Didn’t Get Here by Accident
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after reviewing thousands of portfolios, it’s this: experienced investors don’t fall in love with flashy stocks. They stick with businesses that make money, share the wealth, and do it repeatedly.
Microsoft, Apple, and Visa aren’t just popular because they’re big. They’re in DSR PRO portfolios because they’ve earned that trust—with strong dividend growth, resilient business models, and a long runway ahead.
Now, that doesn’t mean you should blindly copy these picks. Use them as a starting point. Dig into the numbers. See how they fit with your goals.
At DSR, we believe in buying quality, holding for the long term, and focusing on companies that grow both their earnings and their dividends. That’s how real wealth is built—not with predictions, but with discipline.
Portfolio Role Recap Table
| Stock | Role in Portfolio | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Growth Core | Innovation with dividend growth |
| Apple | Growth + Defense | Brand-driven total return |
| Visa | Dividend Growth Booster | Long-term compounders |
The Dividend Rock Star list gives you access to elite dividend growers vetted for long-term reliability and strong fundamentals. These are the stocks that make it through market cycles and keep paying.
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