Best Dividend Stocks
The Best Dividend Stocks to Watch
The following “Best Dividend Stocks” list features Income Investors’ favorite dividend ideas, thoroughly vetted and highly rated by our research team.
The stocks below have been hand-picked by our editors. Our five-point investment criteria identifies companies with safe payouts, growing earnings, and a long-term track record. The list is geared toward conservative buy-and-hold investors looking to put new money to work right now.
To be clear, every stock on this list is not appropriate for all investors. Our best dividend stocks list does not represent a complete portfolio. We recommend readers do their own research and consult a professional financial adviser before making any investment decision.
What We Look For
Timeless Business: We look for businesses that have stood the test of time. In some cases, the products that they make have remained almost unchanged for decades. Many of these stocks have been paying out dividends to shareholders for over 100 years.
Competitive Advantage: We look for companies with sustainable advantages. They have patents, powerful brands, irreplaceable assets, a low-cost advantage, or de facto monopolies. By sheltering their profits from competition, these firms can generate oversized margins decade after decade.
Management: We look for great executives who think beyond the next quarter. We want to own companies run by honest managers with above-average skill for allocating capital. We want people with unquestionable integrity, a frank communication style, and a long-term outlook.
Distribution Growth: We look for firms with a commitment to rewarding shareholders. Our best dividend stocks have raised their regular distributions for at least 25 consecutive years. Steady dividend increases signal that the company has a bright future and forces management to be careful when allocating capital.
Dividend Yield: We look for stocks with above-average dividend yields. A high payout suggests that a company might be temporarily out of favor with investors. Studies show that companies with the highest dividend yields tend to outperform the broader market over time.
Best Dividend Stock List
| Company Name | Symbol | Sector | Industry | Years of Dividend Increases | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archer Daniels Midland | ADM | Consumer Staples | Food Products | 45 | 3.22% |
| AFLAC Inc. | AFL | Financials | Insurance | 38 | 3.08% |
| Arrow Financial Corp. | AROW | Financials | Banks | 26 | 3.63% |
| Franklin Resources | BEN | Financials | Capital Markets | 40 | 5.13% |
| Black Hills Corp. | BKH | Utilities | Multi-Utilities | 49 | 3.82% |
| Cullen/Frost Bankers | CFR | Financials | Banks | 26 | 4.09% |
| Cincinnati Financial | CINF | Financials | Insurance | 60 | 3.02% |
| Community Trust Banc. | CTBI | Financials | Banks | 40 | 4.77% |
| Chevron Corp. | CVX | Energy | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 33 | 6.15% |
| Enterprise Bancorp Inc. | EBTC | Financials | Banks | 28 | 3.22% |
| Consolidated Edison | ED | Utilities | Multi-Utilities | 46 | 4.29% |
| Eagle Financial Services | EFSI | Financials | Banks | 33 | 3.98% |
| Essex Property Trust | ESS | Real Estate | Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) | 26 | 3.84% |
| Eaton Vance Corp. | EV | Financials | Capital Markets | 39 | 3.66% |
| Federal Realty Inv. Trust | FRT | Real Estate | Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) | 53 | 5.35% |
| Genuine Parts Co. | GPC | Consumer Discretionary | Distributors | 64 | 3.35% |
| International Business Machines | IBM | Information Technology | IT Services | 25 | 5.29% |
| John Wiley & Sons Inc. | JW-A | Communication Services | Media | 27 | 4.33% |
| Coca-Cola Company | KO | Consumer Staples | Beverages | 58 | 3.31% |
| Leggett & Platt Inc. | LEG | Consumer Discretionary | Household Durables | 48 | 3.90% |
| Matthews International | MATW | Industrials | Commercial Services & Supplies | 25 | 3.84% |
| Mercury General Corp. | MCY | Financials | Insurance | 33 | 5.63% |
| MDU Resources | MDU | Utilities | Multi-Utilities | 28 | 3.51% |
| 3M Company | MMM | Industrials | Industrial Conglomerates | 62 | 3.61% |
| Altria Group Inc. | MO | Consumer Staples | Tobacco | 51 | 7.86% |
| NACCO Industries | NC | Energy | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 35 | 3.76% |
| National Fuel Gas | NFG | Utilities | Gas Utilities | 50 | 3.90% |
| Northeast Indiana Bancorp | NIDB | Financials | Thrifts & Mortgage Finance | 25 | 3.46% |
| National Retail Properties | NNN | Real Estate | Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) | 31 | 5.87% |
| Nucor Corp. | NUE | Materials | Metals & Mining | 47 | 3.54% |
| Northwest Natural Gas | NWN | Utilities | Gas Utilities | 64 | 3.74% |
| Realty Income Corp. | O | Real Estate | Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) | 27 | 4.52% |
| Old Republic International | ORI | Financials | Insurance | 39 | 5.21% |
| People’s United Financial | PBCT | Financials | Banks | 28 | 6.81% |
| Raytheon Technologies | RTX | Industrials | Aerospace & Defense | 26 | 3.11% |
| Southside Bancshares | SBSI | Financials | Banks | 25 | 4.50% |
| Sonoco Products Co. | SON | Materials | Containers & Packaging | 37 | 3.24% |
| 1st Source Corp. | SRCE | Financials | Banks | 32 | 3.25% |
| AT&T Inc. | T | Communication Services | Diversified Telecommunication Services | 36 | 6.98% |
| First Financial Corp. | THFF | Financials | Banks | 31 | 3.02% |
| Tompkins Financial Corp. | TMP | Financials | Banks | 33 | 3.14% |
| United Bankshares Inc. | UBSI | Financials | Banks | 45 | 5.36% |
| UGI Corp. | UGI | Utilities | Gas Utilities | 33 | 3.82% |
| Universal Health Realty Trust | UHT | Real Estate | Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) | 35 | 4.14% |
| Universal Corp. | UVV | Consumer Staples | Tobacco | 49 | 7.10% |
| Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. | WBA | Consumer Staples | Food & Staples Retailing | 45 | 4.92% |
| Weyco Group Inc. | WEYS | Consumer Discretionary | Distributors | 38 | 5.33% |
| ExxonMobil Corp. | XOM | Energy | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 37 | 8.71% |
(Source: Various Corporate Filings, last accessed August 15, 2020.)
More About Dividend Stocks
Could 14%-Yielding Dorian LPG Ltd Stock Have 55% Upside?
LPG Stock Up 36% Since April Strong global demand for liquified petroleum gas (LPG) make for the perfect tailwinds for Dorian LPG Ltd (NYSE:LPG), a global LPG marine shipping company. LPG refers to hydrocarbon gases such as propane and butane,.
WASH Stock: 8.1%-Yielding Hidden Gem in the Regional Banking Space
Washington Trust Bancorp Investors Reap Big Rewards? Regional banks don’t represent the most “happening” corner of the stock market. They rarely make headlines and aren’t getting hyped up in Reddit threads or in the financial press. But this is exactly.
BGS Stock: 17.46%-Yielder Selling for Rock-Bottom Valuations?
A “Boring” But Rewarding Opportunity Today, I’m putting the spotlight on “boring” BGS stock. Many investors like to chase the hot stocks. You know, the stocks that are trying to cater to the artificial intelligence (AI) market, semiconductors, the “Magnificent.
Dow Inc Stock: 10%-Yielding Cash Flow King with a Bullish Setup
DOW Stock Too Low to Ignore? It is so easy to say, “buy low, sell high.” However, very few investors actually have the stomach to buy when a stock is out of favor. In the stock markets, price and value.
Dorchester Stock: 11%-Yielder That’s Paid a Distribution Since 1982
Outlook for Dorchester Minerals LP Remains Robust West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil has taken a temporary hit on slower demand caused by the current economic global uncertainty. Oil prices are also bearish on renewed optimism about a U.S.-Iran nuclear.
FLEX LNG: 12%-Yielder Thumping Broader Market in 2025
FLEX LNG Minimum Backlog Stands at 59 Years In the 19th century, coal was the primary energy source, but it gave up that title to oil in the 20th century. Since 2000 though, there has been a gradual transition to.
Spok Holdings Inc: Ultra-High-Yielder Hits Record High on Strong Q1
Outlook for Spok Holdings Remains Robust The stock market’s performance over the first five months of 2025 has left many investors scratching their heads. The S&P 500 may be up almost 12% over the last year, but it’s up less.
OBDC Stock: An Almost 11%-Yielding Alternative Bank?
Blue Owl Capital: A Play on America’s Future If you are optimistic about America’s economic future, then you can’t ignore the driving force behind it: private small- and mid-sized businesses. You see, these businesses are the real powerhouse of the.
WU Stock: Nearly 10%-Yielding Legacy Business Selling for Pennies on the Dollar
Is Western Union Stock Worth a Closer Look? A few years ago, if you listened to the tech crowd, you would think that Western Union Co (NYSE:WU) was as good as dead. We were told that blockchain and cryptocurrencies would.
MOV Stock: Underrated Luxury Stock with a Robust Dividend
Why MOV Stock Is Built to Last Put simply, loads of debt can be a silent killer for companies. When times are good—with low interest rates and a growing economy—debt is harmless. But when the economy turns or growth slows.
Sign up to receive our FREE Income Investors newsletter along with our special offers and get our FREE report:
5 Dividend Stocks to Own Forever
We hate spam as much as you do. Check out our privacy policy. This is an entirely free service. No credit card required. You can opt-out at anytime.
Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in investment vehicles with the best prospects for price appreciation can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research and analysis. We are 100% independent in that we are not affiliated with any bank or brokerage house. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate. Warning: Investing often involves high risks and you can lose a lot of money. Please do not invest with money you cannot afford to lose. The opinions in this content are just that, opinions of the authors. We are a publishing company and the opinions, comments, stories, reports, advertisements and articles we publish are for informational and educational purposes only; nothing herein should be considered personalized investment advice. Before you make any investment, check with your investment professional (advisor). We urge our readers to review the financial statements and prospectus of any company they are interested in. We are not responsible for any damages or losses arising from the use of any information herein. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners
