7 Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Now for Growth and Dividends Investors looking for blue-chip stocks to buy generally are looking for companies that are reliable, consistent, profitable and focused on shareholder returns. Blue-chip stocks are less volatile than more speculative securities. They also are less than riskier stocks when markets correct as they have this year and are also quicker to recover when markets bottom and begin climbing again. Another reason investors look for blue-chip stocks to buy is that shareholders also benefit from strong dividend payouts , as well as special dividends that are paid when times are good. The bottom line is that looking for blue-chip stocks to buy and choosing the most appropriate once for your financial goals is an attractive option for investors who like to balance risk and reward. Here are seven blue-chip stocks to buy now for both growth and dividend payments. UNH UnitedHealth Group $536.60 LOW Lowe’s $201.84 PEP PepsiCo $173.85 MCD McDonald’s $256.80 MSFT Microsoft $280.32 FDX Federal Express $229.02 PFE Pfizer $49.57 UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Source: Ken Wolter | Shutterstock.com UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH ) is the largest healthcare insurance company in the U.S., the seventh biggest company in the world by revenue and among the premier blue-chip stocks to buy.