Strong cash flows reflect financial stability, allowing companies to pay down debt, pursue growth opportunities, and shell out dividend payments.
Companies with strong cash-generating abilities are great targets, as they have plenty of cash to fuel growth, pay out dividends, initiate buybacks, and easily
Strong cash flows reflect financial stability, allowing companies to pay down debt, pursue growth opportunities, and shell out dividend payments.
These companies are also better equipped to weather downturns, providing another beneficial advantage for investors from a long-term standpoint.
And for those seeking cash-generating machines – Verizon $VZ Communications VZ, Broadcom $AVGO AVGO, and Apple $AAPL AAPL – fit the criteria nicely.
Apple has long been a cash-generating machine, providing shareholders with many benefits over the years, including higher dividend payouts. In fact, Apple has paid higher dividends for 13 consecutive years, owing to its shareholder-friendly nature.
Its strong ability to generate cash has also allowed it to trade at relatively higher valuation multiples over the years, somewhat transitioning to a safe tech play given that its heavy-growth phase has primarily passed.
Shares yield a modest 0.4% annually, though the company’s 5.0% five-year annualized dividend growth helps bridge the gap. On a trailing twelve-month basis, the tech titan has generated a massive $98.8 billion in free cash flow.
Below is a chart illustrating its cash free flow on a quarterly basis.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Strong cash generation has placed Verizon on many income-focused investors’ lists over the years, with its low volatility also highly appealing. The company has posted $20.1 billion in free cash flow over a trailing twelve-month period, with shares currently yielding 5.6% annually.
Below is a chart illustrating the company’s free cash flow on a quarterly basis.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
It’s important to note that the earnings picture for VZ has also become bullish over recent months, with analysts revising their EPS expectations modestly higher across the board.
Like Apple, Broadcom is also known for its cash-generating abilities, with the favorable demand environment fueled by the AI revolution brightening the picture nicely. Free cash flow of $8.0 billion grew 33% YoY throughout its 2026 Q1 period, reflecting a quarterly record for the seventh consecutive quarter.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Keep in mind that the company’s strong cash generation has also enabled it to reward its shareholders with growing dividend payouts over its history, currently sporting a 13.1% five-year annualized dividend growth rate. The stock offers a strong blend of high growth and income, attracting both income-focused and growth investors alike.
Bottom Line
Companies with strong cash-generating abilities are great targets, as they have plenty of cash to fuel growth, pay out dividends, initiate buybacks, and easily wipe out debt. And as mentioned above, these companies are better equipped to handle an economic downturn, undeniably a positive.
For those seeking cash-generators, all three companies above –Verizon VZ, Broadcom AVGO, and Apple AAPL – fit the criteria nicely.
The next phase of the AI explosion is poised to create significant wealth for investors, especially those who get in early. It will add literally trillion of dollars to the economy and revolutionize nearly every part of our lives.
Investors who bought shares like Nvidia $NVDA at the right time have had a shot at huge gains.
But the rocket ride in the "first wave" of AI stocks may soon come to an end. The sharp upward trajectory of these stocks will begin to level off, leaving exponential growth to a new wave of cutting-edge companies.
Zacks' AI Boom 2.0: The Second Wave report reveals 4 under-the-radar companies that may soon be shining stars of AI’s next leap forward.
Access AI Boom 2.0 now, absolutely free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Broadcom Inc. (AVGO): Free Stock Analysis Report
Join 500,000+ readers who start their day with Quartz.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.