In today's uncertain economic landscape, dividend stocks can serve as anchors in your portfolio. We asked Motley Fool investment experts Matt Argersinger and Anthony Schiavone -- leaders of The Motley Fool's Dividend Investor scorecard within Epic -- to share some of their top dividend picks that combine income potential with business durability.
Here are five of their favorite dividend stocks across multiple industries, ranging from real estate investment trusts (REITs) to energy and healthcare. The five stocks are in alphabetical order.
1. Brookfield Asset Management
As a global alternative asset manager, Brookfield Asset Management (BAM +0.00%) sports a 3.8% dividend yield and has established a strong track record of creating value through its diverse investments across more than 30 countries.
Anthony's take: "Brookfield is a leading alternative asset manager with more than $1 trillion of assets under management across sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit."
Why it stands out: Management expects the dividend to grow at a 15%-plus annualized rate over the next few years.
2. Chevron
Global oil and gas giant Chevron (CVX +1.93%) has a dividend yield of 4.5% and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years.
Matt's take: "The integrated energy giant is one of the most shareholder-friendly companies in the oil patch, returning a company record $27 billion to shareholders last year, including $11.8 billion in dividends and $15.2 billion in share repurchases."
Why it stands out: Chevron should continue to buy back lots of stock and cover its generous 4.5%-yielding dividend even if oil and gas prices fall from where they are today.
3. EPR Properties
A specialty REIT, EPR Properties (EPR 1.50%) has carved out a unique niche in the "experience economy," focusing on properties where people go for entertainment, education, and recreation rather than traditional retail. Its current dividend yield is 6.7%.
Matt's take: "This successful REIT owns hundreds of properties that cater to the growing experience economy, including destinations like TopGolf centers, water parks, ski resorts, and eat-and-play restaurants."
Why it stands out: EPR's nearly 7% dividend yield is well covered by the company's stable, consistent cash flows and a strong balance sheet.
4. Invitation Homes
As America's premier single-family home leasing company, Invitation Homes (INVH +0.22%) is capitalizing on the growing preference for single-family rentals in an environment of elevated home prices and mortgage rates. It has a dividend yield of 3.5%.
Anthony's take: "This single-family rental REIT owns more than 85,000 homes primarily located in Sunbelt markets where the average cost of renting a home is about $1,100 per month cheaper than owning a comparable home."
Why it stands out: Invitation's mission-critical real estate and strong balance sheet should lead to consistent dividend growth for shares that currently yield 3.5%.
5. Medtronic
With a dividend yield of 3.1%, Medtronic (MDT +0.35%) develops medical technologies that treat over 70 health conditions across more than 150 countries, specializing in life-changing devices for cardiac care, diabetes, surgical innovation, and neurology.
Matt's take: "This leading medical device company addresses critical patient needs in markets with strong demographic tailwinds and is a great way to bet on a recovery in the healthcare sector."
Why it stands out: Medtronic's shares currently yield 3.1%, and the company has raised the dividend for 47 straight years.
The Foolish Bottom Line
With yields ranging from 3.1% to 7% and businesses positioned for long-term growth, these five dividend powerhouses offer more than just quarterly income -- they represent ownership in quality companies built to weather economic storms and potentially deliver substantial total returns for years to come. In a volatile stock market and uncertain economic environment, these steady compounders might be the secret weapon your portfolio needs.
For more dividend exposure consider Epic, where every month Matt and Anthony recommend a new dividend stock and rank their top 10 dividend stocks across the market.
