Dividend stocks are shares of companies that make regular distributions to their shareholders, usually in the form of cash payments. Dividend stocks can be a useful source of income, but the best dividend stocks can also be an excellent way to build wealth over the long term.
However, not all dividend stocks are great investments, and many investors are unsure how to start their search. With that in mind, here's a list of dividend-paying stocks you might want to consider and some of the most important things to look for in the top dividend stocks.
How to buy dividend stocks
If you want to buy shares of any dividend stock, here's what you need to do.
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Nine best dividend stocks
The Dividend Kings list is a great place to find top dividend stocks. These companies have paid and raised their base dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. The Dividend Achievers™ list, whose companies boast 10-plus straight years of dividend increases, is a trademarked property owned by Nasdaq and another great list to research. Here are nine top dividend stocks to consider buying now.
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) | $129.8 billion | 2.03% | Specialty Retail |
| Realty Income (NYSE:O) | $52.1 billion | 5.67% | Retail REITs |
| Chevron (NYSE:CVX) | $313.3 billion | 4.35% | Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels |
| Target (NYSE:TGT) | $41.2 billion | 6.22% | Food and Staples Retailing |
| Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) | $98.3 billion | 2.82% | Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure |
| Brookfield Infrastructure (NYSE:BIPC) | $6.1 billion | 3.70% | Gas Utilities |
| Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) | $3.7 trillion | 0.66% | Software |
| American Express (NYSE:AXP) | $251.2 billion | 0.87% | Consumer Finance |
| Clearway Energy (NYSE:CWEN) | $4.3 billion | 4.89% | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
1. Lowe's
NYSE: LOW
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NYSE: O
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If you're looking for a simple way to invest in high-quality real estate for income and growth, Realty Income (O -0.60%) might be the perfect stock. The company owns an array of largely e-commerce-resistant properties, earning strong cash flow from tenants on long-term leases.
Realty Income has also recorded more than three decades of consecutive annual dividend increases every year since going public in 1994 -- and more than 55 straight years of paying a dividend every month. Since its founding, Realty has declared 664 consecutive monthly dividends and just raised its monthly dividend for the 132nd time since the real estate investment trust (REIT) was publicly listed.
3. Chevron
NYSE: CVX
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NYSE: TGT
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NASDAQ: SBUX
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6. Brookfield Infrastructure
NYSE: BIPC
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NASDAQ: MSFT
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NYSE: AXP
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9. Clearway Energy
NYSE: CWEN
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Dividend investors should focus not on dividend size but on dividend yield.
How dividends are paid to shareholders
Dividends are paid to shareholders in one of two main ways: cash or stock. Cash dividends are the most common and are typically deposited directly into a shareholder's brokerage account, sent as a physical check, or automatically reinvested into more shares through what's known as a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP).
As the name suggests, stock dividends are paid in the form of additional shares of the company's stock.
Benefits and risks of investing in dividend stocks
There are numerous key benefits to putting cash into dividend stocks. Dividends provide regular, passive cash flow, which can be particularly attractive whether you’re a retiree or earlier on in your investing journey and simply seeking supplemental income.
Companies that pay consistent dividends tend to have stocks that are generally less volatile than non-dividend-paying growth stocks. And, reinvesting your dividends to purchase more shares can significantly boost your long-term returns through the power of compounding. This can accelerate your wealth accumulation over time.
On the flip side, there are some risks to be aware of. Companies that pay large dividends may reinvest less of their profits back into the business for expansion or research and development, which can result in slower capital appreciation compared to growth stocks.
When interest rates rise, fixed-income alternatives like bonds become more attractive. This can cause investors to sell dividend stocks and put downward pressure on their prices. Bear in mind, dividends are typically a taxable event in non-retirement accounts, even if you reinvest them through a DRIP.
How to choose dividend stocks
This article hits on a few things to avoid (e.g., focusing too much on a high yield that may be a trap) and the power of dividend growth stocks as some of the best winners. Here are some key things to look for when investing in dividend stocks.
- Identify dividend stocks that meet your criteria. You may be looking for yield, a history of dividend growth, and so forth.
- Research the history of earnings growth. Dividend growth is sustainable only if a company's earnings have also steadily grown at a similar or higher rate over time.
- Consider valuation. While paying a modest premium for a high-quality business can sometimes be justified, overpaying can significantly weigh on long-term returns.
- Determine position sizing. Consider how much exposure you want to a particular stock, how much income you expect it to generate, and other factors to ensure you buy an appropriate amount.
- Focus on the long term. Dividend stocks deliver best when you buy and hold them for many years. Having patience and letting exceptional managers run great companies while you just sit back and own them is how you get the best returns from dividend stocks.
Dividend stocks versus dividend funds
Dividend stocks and dividend funds are both popular ways to generate income and potentially grow your investments.
- Dividend funds, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), invest in a portfolio of multiple dividend stocks.
- Dividend funds can offer diversification and professional oversight by investment managers who carefully select the underlying stocks.
- With a dividend fund, it's important to pay attention to the expense ratio to determine how much of your investment may go toward fees.
Dividend stocks provide the potential for higher returns but also higher risk. It also takes time and effort to carefully research each individual business to determine whether it is a good fit for your portfolio. Both types of investments can offer advantageous returns for a long-term investor with a well-diversified portfolio and a durable time horizon.
Related investing topics
Best sectors for dividend investing
Dividend investors often prefer to focus on companies in a range of sectors with stable cash flows and predictable earnings. The best sectors can offer different advantages, from high yields to steady dividend growth.
However, the right mix really does depend on your investment goals. The utilities, energy, healthcare, consumer goods, and financial sectors contain some of the top dividend-paying companies to consider.
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