There's no official definition of a high-yield dividend stock. However, most investors would classify it as a stock with a dividend yield above a common benchmark, such as the S&P 500 index or a 10-year U.S. Treasury note.
In early April 2026, the dividend yield on the S&P 500 averaged around 1.2%, approaching its record low. Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year note was around 4.3%, down from its recent peak above 4.8% in early 2025 after the Federal Reserve started lowering interest rates.
Many investors would consider a stock to have a high dividend yield if it were twice the S&P 500 yield; others would require a payout at or above the 10-year Treasury yield. Those baseline measurements aside, investors shouldn't buy a stock solely because of its dividend yield.
They need to make sure the dividend payments are sustainable. The company should be high-quality, with durable cash flow, a strong balance sheet, and visible growth potential. With all that in mind, here are 20 of the best high-yield dividend stocks to consider buying for dividend income.
Top high-yield dividend stocks to consider
1. AbbVie
NYSE: ABBV
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NYSE: MAA
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NYSE: BIP
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3. Brookfield Renewable
NYSE: BEP
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NYSE: DUK
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NYSE: MAIN
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7. Chevron
NYSE: CVX
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NYSE: ENB
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NYSE: EPD
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NYSE: PG
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NYSE: DOC
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NYSE: RF
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NYSE: EXR
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14. NNN REIT
NYSE: NNN
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NYSE: PFE
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NYSE: VICI
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NYSE: O
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18. Verizon Communications
NYSE: VZ
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NASDAQ: TROW
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NASDAQ: PEP
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How to Build a High-Yield Dividend Portfolio
Here are some practical steps to building a portfolio of high-yield dividend stocks:
- Buy at least 10 stocks
- Diversify across several sectors
- Invest in a mix of higher-yielding, slower growth stocks as well as those offering a lower yield but more dividend growth potential
- Focus on dividend sustainability and growth over a stock's current yield.
The bottom line
All 20 of these dividend stocks offer above-average yields, making them stand out in a time when many companies don't pay high dividends. Even better, each one has a solid track record of steadily increasing its dividend and showing no signs of stopping. That makes them great income stocks to buy and hold for the long haul.
Related investing topics
FAQ
High-yield dividend stocks FAQ
About the Author
Matt DiLallo has positions in Brookfield Corporation, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable Partners, Chevron, Enbridge, Enterprise Products Partners, Gilead Sciences, Main Street Capital, Mid-America Apartment Communities, NNN REIT, PepsiCo, Realty Income, Regions Financial, T. Rowe Price Group, Verizon Communications, and Vici Properties. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, Brookfield, Brookfield Corporation, Chevron, Enbridge, Gilead Sciences, Mid-America Apartment Communities, NNN REIT, Pfizer, Realty Income, and T. Rowe Price Group. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable Partners, Duke Energy, Enterprise Products Partners, Extra Space Storage, Healthpeak Properties, Regions Financial, Verizon Communications, and Vici Properties. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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