In this article, we will take a look at the 10 Best July Dividend Stocks to Buy.
Dividend stocks have remained a popular choice for investors over the years. They offer the potential for long-term returns while providing a steady stream of income. Research shows that dividends have been a key part of overall market gains. According to a T. Rowe Price report, they have accounted for nearly one-third of total US stock returns since 1926.
The same report found that dividends became even more important between 1980 and 2019, when interest rates were falling. During that period, they made up 75% of total market returns. The report also noted that dividend-paying stocks can provide reliable income when low interest rates make fixed-income investments less attractive.
S&P Global also highlighted the strength of dividend growth. Its report found that over the 15 years ending in August 2022, dividends grew at an average annual rate of 13.71%. Over the same period, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by an average of 2.21%.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks to buy in July.
Our Methodology:
For this list, we selected dividend stocks that will trade ex-dividend in July 2026. The ex-dividend date indicates the cutoff day to buy a stock to receive its upcoming dividend payment. We picked companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These companies are also popular among elite funds and analysts. The stocks are ranked according to their ex-dividend dates.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Insider Monkey’s quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 599.2% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 372 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH)
Ex-Dividend Date: July 1
On June 26, Piper Sandler raised its price recommendation on Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH) to $35 from $32. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the stock. The firm updated its price targets across the Northeast banking group as part of its second-quarter earnings preview.
Earlier in May, BofA lowered its price goal on WASH to $31 from $34. It maintained a Neutral rating. In a research note, the analyst said that most mid-cap banks kept their 2026 net interest income (NII) and net interest margin (NIM) guidance unchanged, even after removing expected rate cuts from their assumptions. The analyst said this highlighted the sector’s sensitivity to a flattening yield curve. The firm also noted that it continues to see downside risk to NII because deposit costs could remain higher than previously expected.
Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH) is the holding company of The Washington Trust Company, a state-chartered bank and financial services company. The company operates through two business segments: Commercial Banking and Wealth Management Services.
9. HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI)
Ex-Dividend Date: July 1
On June 1, UBS raised its price recommendation on HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI) to $390 from $371. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the stock. Following a strong second-quarter earnings beat, driven by 18% organic growth and segment EBIT margins that came in well above consensus, UBS increased its EBITDA estimates. Analyst Gavin Parsons said demand remains strong across both the commercial aerospace and defense markets, with no meaningful slowdown in the aftermarket business despite geopolitical tensions and higher fuel prices.
On May 29, RBC Capital also raised its price goal on HEI to $390 from $375. It maintained an Outperform rating. The firm said the company’s fiscal second-quarter results were strong, with revenue exceeding consensus estimates by 10%. RBC noted that Heico’s sales increased 25% year over year, including about 18% organic growth. Both of the company’s business segments posted high-teens organic growth, according to the analyst.
HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI) manufactures jet engines and aircraft component replacement parts. The company operates through two segments: the Flight Support Group (FSG) and the Electronic Technologies Group (ETG).
8. Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY)
Ex-Dividend Date: July 6
On June 24, Baird raised its price recommendation on Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) to $85 from $84. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm updated its model following the company’s fourth-quarter results.
During Korn Ferry’s fiscal Q4 2026 earnings call, President, CEO, and Executive Director Gary Burnison said the company will begin reporting its external operating segments by three geographic regions starting in the first quarter: the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
Burnison also said the company will report its business across three solution categories. These include Search, which combines executive and professional search; Talent and Organizational Solutions, which covers digital and consulting services; and Workforce Solutions, which includes RPO and interim offerings.
Executive Vice President, CFO, and Chief Corporate Officer Robert Rozek said the company’s estimated remaining fees under existing contracts reached nearly $1.9 billion at the end of the fourth quarter, up 10% from a year earlier. He added that every solution category posted growth during the period.
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) is a global consulting firm. The company provides services across five solution areas: consulting, digital, executive search, professional search and interim, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO).
7. McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC)
Ex-Dividend Date: July 6
On June 26, TD Cowen lowered its price recommendation on McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) to $60 from $64. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. Analyst Robert Moskow updated the firm’s model following the company’s second-quarter results. Management maintained its full-year guidance and said Americas Consumer volume is expected to return to positive growth in the fourth quarter as a result of its marketing initiatives.
Also on June 26, Bernstein lowered its price goal on McCormick to $68 from $77. It kept an Outperform rating on the stock. Analyst Alexia Howard said in a research note that while the recovery in the Flavor Solutions business could support performance for some time, the Consumer segment has been “underwhelming.”
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) manufactures, markets, and distributes herbs, spices, seasonings, condiments, and flavors to the food and beverage industry, serving retailers, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses.
6. The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT)
Ex-Dividend Date: July 8
On June 24, BofA lowered its price recommendation on The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT) to $80 from $87. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the stock. The firm said the lower target reflects multiple compressions across its peer group. While it believes The Times deserves to trade at a premium to both the broader media sector and the market because of its stable business, subscription-driven revenue, and strong free cash flow profile, the analyst sees the stock’s current risk/reward as balanced at its present valuation.
During the company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, CEO, President, and Director Meredith Kopit Levien described the quarter as another strong one for The Times. She said digital subscription revenue increased 16%. The company added 310,000 net new digital subscribers, bringing its total subscriber base to more than 13 million. She added that the company was making steady progress toward its next milestone of 15 million subscribers and beyond.
Levien also discussed the challenges of operating in a media landscape shaped by a small number of technology companies. She noted that changes made by these platforms continue to affect publisher traffic. While she said The Times was not immune to those shifts, she emphasized that the company also saw meaningful opportunities to benefit from changing audience demand.
She also pointed to the company’s strong advertising performance, saying digital advertising revenue rose 32% during the quarter. Levien added that The Times continued to invest in its journalism and product offerings, including video. She noted that the company more than doubled its production of reporter-led videos in the first quarter.
The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT) is a global media company focused on creating and distributing news and information that helps its audience understand and engage with the world.
While we acknowledge the potential of NYT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NYT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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