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Stock markets are hitting record highs, mainly due to strong investor interest in artificial intelligence. We feel the best way to tap into AI is with established firms, such as these four, that are incorporating the technology into their existing products.


CISCO SYSTEMS INC. $71 is a buy. The company (Nasdaq symbol CSCO; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 4.0 billion; Market cap: $284.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.8; Dividend yield: 2.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.cisco.com) is a leading maker of hardware and software that links and manages computer networks. It has also expanded its software operations. Steady revenue from subscriptions cuts its reliance on hardware sales.

VISA INC. $341 is your #1 Conservative Buy for 2025. The company (New York symbol V; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $647.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 16.9; Dividend yield: 0.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.visa.com) operates the world’s largest electronic payments network.
You can’t fake a record of dividends. That’s why we place a high value on a sustained history of dividend payments. When you’re looking for income-producing stocks, a high dividend yield should also be one of your most important investment considerations. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of sustainability.


Our exclusive TSI Dividend Sustainability Rating System uses eight factors to determine a company’s ability to maintain its current dividend, and increase the payment over time.
AT&T INC. $25 is a buy. The company (New York symbol T; Income-Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 7.1 billion; Market cap: $177.5 billion; Dividend yield: 4.4%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.att.com) is the largest wireless (cellphone) carrier in the U.S., with 118.98 million subscribers (excluding mobile devices such as tablets) and 23.84 million wireless subscribers in Mexico. It also has 14.49 million high-speed Internet users and provides traditional telephone services to consumers and businesses.
Walmart has a long history of controlling its costs, which lets it keep attracting shoppers with low prices. It’s also doing a good job adapting to the new tariffs, which is driving the stock to new highs. That will let the company extend its 52-year streak of annual dividend hikes.
TC ENERGY CORP. $70 is a top pick for 2025. The pipeline giant (Toronto symbol TRP; Income-Growth Payer Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 1.04 billion; Market cap: $72.8 billion; Dividend yield: 4.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.tcenergy.com) cut the quarterly dividend by 14.3% after the spinoff of its oil pipeline business as South Bow Corp. (Toronto symbol SOBO). However, with the April 2025 payment, the company raised your quarterly dividend by 3.3%. The new annual rate of $3.40 yields a high 4.9%.
Despite concerns of a slowing economy and lower consumer spending, American Express’s shares have jumped over 30% in the past year, hitting a new all-time high of $363 in October.


That impressive gain is mainly because Amex caters to higher-income clients, who are less likely to cut their spending on travel and entertainment. That high-quality client base also keeps the company’s credit losses down.
3M COMPANY $165 remains a buy for long-term gains. The company (New York symbol MMM; Income-Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 531.2 million; Market cap: $87.6 billion; Dividend yield: 1.8%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.3m.com) spun off its Health Care division as a separate firm, called Solventum Corp. (New York symbol SOLV), on April 1, 2024. Due to the spinoff, 3M cut your quarterly dividend by 53.6% with the June 2024 payment. However, with the March 2025 payment, it raised the dividend by 4.3%. The annual rate of $2.92 a share yields 1.8%.
THOMSON REUTERS CORP. $213 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol TRI; Conservative-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing Sector; Shares o/s: 449.7 million; Market cap: $95.8 billion; Dividend yield: 1.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.thomsonreuters.com) sells specialized information and software to the legal, tax and accounting fields. It also owns the Reuters news service.


With the March 2025 payment, Thomson raised your quarterly dividend by 10.2%. The new annual rate of $2.38 U.S. a share yields 1.6%.
Both Molson and Saputo are cutting their costs in response to slowing sales. Those savings will help protect their dividends. However, uncertainty over tariffs adds to their risk.