In this article, we will take a look at some of the best wide moat stocks that pay dividends.
Wide-moat stocks refer to companies that possess lasting competitive strengths, helping them stay ahead of rivals. These advantages support long-term earnings and often make such companies reliable investment choices.
There are various ways a company can create a wide moat. Some do so through strong brand recognition, which draws in customers and allows for higher pricing. Others achieve it by keeping their fixed costs lower than competitors, giving them a cost edge. In some cases, government regulations limit market entry, offering additional protection from competition.
Investing in wide-moat companies is attractive because they tend to deliver steady, long-term returns. Unlike businesses in highly competitive sectors, where profits can swing due to price wars and intense rivalry, wide-moat firms are generally more stable during economic downturns and periods of market uncertainty. Their solid market standing and strong financial health help them navigate challenges that might severely impact companies with weaker competitive positions.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best wide moat stocks that pay dividends.
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Our Methodology
To select wide-moat dividend stocks, we identified companies with durable competitive advantages and a strong history of rewarding shareholders. These advantages included brand strength, cost leadership, network effects, regulatory barriers, and high switching costs, all of which help protect a company from competition. From that group, we picked 10 dividend companies with the highest number of hedge fund investors, as per Insider Monkey’s database of Q1 2025.
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. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 63
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) is one of the best wide moat stocks that pay dividends. The company remains a major player in the medical technology space as it focuses on medical devices. Its broad product lineup targets a variety of chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and acute care needs. With strengths across several therapeutic areas, the company has multiple paths for growth and holds a strong position in each market it serves.
R&D is key in healthcare, often drawing attention to smaller companies with breakthrough potential, but they carry high risk and usually don’t pay dividends. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) stands out as a stable, mature firm that offers a dividend. The company has raised its payouts for 48 consecutive years, which means that it’s just two years away from becoming a Dividend King. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.71 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.30%, as of June 24.
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) recently announced that it will spin off its diabetes care division into an independent, publicly traded company within the next 18 months. The move is part of its strategy to streamline operations and focus on core, high-margin growth areas.
Although it will part with its fastest-growing segment, Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT)’s overall business remains strong, with a broad portfolio of products that continue to deliver steady revenue and profits. In a tough market, investors often favor reliable, stable companies like Medtronic.
9. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 65
Becoming the world’s most chosen personal care brand is no small feat. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is present in over half of all households globally, which reflects strong leadership, a deep understanding of consumers, and steady investment in innovation and branding.
Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) has carefully built its flagship Colgate brand since the early 1800s, transforming it from a simple dental powder into a global leader in oral care, now available in more than 200 countries. The brand is backed by solid research and development and offers a wide range of products.
Colgate holds a 20 percent share of the global toothpaste market, which grew at an average rate of 5 percent annually from 2009 to 2023. That makes it 2.5 times larger than its closest competitor. Its dominance is even stronger in some regions, with about 53 percent market share in Australia and 77 percent in Mexico. Oral care contributes roughly half of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL)’s $20 billion in global revenue, making the Colgate brand the core of the company’s competitive strength.
After past underinvestment, the company has boosted marketing and innovation, launching new products like whitening pens, which have reignited growth. With solid retail ties and ongoing investment, Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is well-positioned to adapt to changing consumer needs and continue delivering value.
In addition, the company is a strong dividend payer, having raised its payouts for 62 consecutive years. It has never missed a dividend since 1895. It offers a quarterly dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.36%, as of June 24.
