In this article, we will take a look at the 10 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Securing a predictable income while managing volatility is becoming the most adopted strategy for investors in the increasingly challenging economic environment. Currently, macroeconomic pressures continue to strain household purchasing power, while equity market gains remain highly unpredictable and concentrated in a select group of sectors.
One notable driver, at present, pushing the shift toward capital preservation is inflationary pressure. In a CNBC interview broadcast on May 27, 2026, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari emphasized that curbing inflation remains the central bank’s top priority. He labeled consumer prices as “much too high.” Kashkari stated that headline inflation in the U.S. reached 3.8% in April 2026 and attributed the rise to rising global energy and fertilizer prices. He strongly believes that the Federal Reserve must remain aggressive to anchor long-term inflation expectations.
When consumer price indices remain elevated and traditional asset valuations face upward pressure from a rising cost of capital, dividend stocks with reliable payments become a haven for investors. Benjamin Graham, the legendary Father of Value Investing, gave the following quote in his book The Intelligent Investor:
(True investor) … will do better if he forgets about the stock market and pays attention to his dividend returns and to the operating results of his companies.
Against this backdrop, we have identified 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now for consistent income.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now, we listed dividend stocks with a beta of less than 0.60. A higher beta suggests greater volatility in market events, which increases potential risk. We further filtered the list by dividend yield and ranked them accordingly. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. All the pricing data are current as of market close on May 28, 2026.
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 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)
Beta: 0.33
Dividend Yield: 2.45%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 15, 2026
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 21, 2026, Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced that the company, together with its subsidiary Kite, will present over 25 abstracts at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting (May 29 – June 2) and the EHA Congress (June 11 – 14), showcasing progress in cancer therapies. Key ASCO presentations include new late-stage Phase 3 analyses for Trodelvy in first-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, focusing on long-term progression-free survival. For the first time, Kite will also introduce manufacturing consistency data for anito-cel, an investigational CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma. In addition, EHA updates will showcase the results regarding the durability and safety of an enhanced CAR T-cell therapy called KITE-753 that targets relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma.
In a recent development, Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced new Phase 3 interim data showing Livdelzi achieved high and sustained normalization of a key liver marker (ALP) in primary biliary cholangitis patients. According to the results, the drug was well-tolerated over two years of treatment.
Founded in 1987 and headquartered in California, Gilead Sciences Inc. is a drug manufacturer that develops medicines for unmet medical needs. The company provides treatments for HIV-1, chronic hepatitis C, primary biliary cholangitis, chronic hepatitis B, and serious invasive fungal infections. It has paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends for ten consecutive years.
9. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)
Beta: 0.10
Dividend Yield: 2.60%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 1, 2026
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
Lockheed Martin Corporation announced the delivery of the first Integrated Combat System-enabled baseline to the U.S. Navy on May 28, 2026. These systems combine legacy combat capabilities with a modern, cloud-like infrastructure. Partnering with the U.S. Navy, the company has entered a six-month operating cadence for fleet-wide software updates and certifications. This consistent release cycle maintains the ICS’s adaptability and keeps it refreshed with cutting-edge capabilities, preserving the readiness of the naval surface fleet. According to Chandra Marshall, VP of Multi‑Domain Combat Systems at Lockheed Martin Corporation, each baseline upgrade helps expand the company’s Aegis air and missile defense capabilities.
Prior to this, on May 21, 2026, Lockheed Martin Corporation broke ground on a new 87,000-square-foot Munitions Production Center in Troy, Alabama. The facility expands production capacity for THAAD interceptors and future Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) systems. The site is part of a $9 billion investment through 2030 and will nearly double current production space and create a massive number of local jobs. The company is also known for having raised its annual dividend for twenty-three consecutive years.
Founded in 1995, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace titan. Headquartered in Maryland, the company dominates defense technology, advanced electronics, and space exploration infrastructure, making it the world’s largest defense contractor.
8. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Beta: 0.36
Dividend Yield: 2.60%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 15, 2026
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 22, 2026, Bank of America Securities analyst Peter Galbo reiterated a Buy rating on The Coca-Cola Company and maintained a price target of $90. Earlier this month, the company received price adjustments from two other analysts: Barclays and Citi. Barclays raised the price target by $4 to $89 on May 21, 2026, while Citi raised the price target by $1 to $91 on May 18, 2026.
Amid these price target adjustments, investment research platform Simply Wall Street examined the bullish takes on The Coca-Cola Company and updated its summarized findings on May 17, 2026. The findings highlighted beverages as a favored consumer staples sector, driven by sustained pricing power and product innovation. It was also noted that Coca-Cola’s constructive relationship with its bottlers optimizes distribution and brand support for the company. According to the summary, several firms have named The Coca-Cola Company a top pick among large capital North American defensive stocks for the aforementioned reasons. For 64 consecutive years, the company has consistently raised its annual dividends.
Founded in 1886, The Coca-Cola Company is a legendary global beverage leader. Headquartered in Georgia, the company operates an asset-light franchise model, producing concentrates and syrups sold to a global network of bottling partners serving over 200 countries.
7. Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE)
Beta: 0.51
Dividend Yield: 2.70%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 9, 2026
Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 21, 2026, Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on Ameren Corporation from $117 to $110 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating on the company’s stock. The adjustment was part of the company’s update of its April estimates for Regulated & Diversified Utilities / IPPs in North America. According to the analyst, the utilities’ performance was below the S&P’s return for the month.
In a separate development that same day, JPMorgan upgraded its rating on Ameren Corporation from Neutral to Overweight. The firm set a price target of $126 on the stock, up from $120. The firm increased its confidence in Ameren Corporation, citing exponential data center growth and reduced regulatory risks in Missouri. Following meetings with regional officials, the firm’s analyst described the local political and regulatory backdrop as highly constructive. The expanding utility data center workloads, alongside the recent high-voltage transmission project wins, give the company the potential to drive up its long-term earnings growth higher. Ameren Corporation has paid uninterrupted dividends to shareholders for over 100 consecutive years.
Founded in 1997, Ameren Corporation is a major rate-regulated utility holding company with headquarters in Missouri. The company provides electric and natural gas services through different segments, including Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois.
6. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Beta: 0.19
Dividend Yield: 2.83%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 15, 2026
Merck & Co., Inc. is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 22, 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. completed a $6 billion underwritten public offering of senior notes across multiple tranches. The issuance carried out under an existing 2010 indenture with U.S. Bank Trust National Association spans maturities from 2028 to 2056. The offering consists of $500 million in floating-rate notes due 2028, alongside six fixed-rate tranches totaling $5.5 billion with coupons ranging between 4.300% and 5.850%. The company has spread the maturities over a wide horizon, thereby successfully diversifying its liability profile and securing long-dated capital to fund ongoing corporate needs.
In another development, on the same day, Merck & Co., Inc. announced that the EMA’s CHMP recommended approval of Keytruda combined with Padcev as a perioperative treatment for adults with resectable muscle-invasive bladder cancer ineligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. Based on the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-905 trial, the regimen reduced the risk of event-free survival events by 60% and death by 50% compared to surgery alone. Underscoring its commitment to shareholder returns, Merck & Co. Inc. has raised its annual dividend payout for sixteen consecutive years.
Founded in 1891 and based in New Jersey, Merck & Co. Inc. is a healthcare firm that provides health solutions, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates in pharmaceuticals, animal health, and other segments.
5. Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL)
Beta: 0.42
Dividend Yield: 2.93%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 15, 2026
Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
Morgan Stanley lowered the price target on Xcel Energy Inc. from $92 to $87 on May 21, 2026. The firm’s analyst kept an Equal Weight rating on the stock. According to the analyst notes, the firm updated its North American utility price targets for April while pointing out that the regulated, diversified, and independent power producer sectors underperformed the broader S&P 500.
Similar to this adjustment, Truist also lowered its price target on Xcel Energy Inc. from $95 to $92. However, the analyst kept a Buy rating on the stock. The firm updated its Power and Utilities models to reflect rising sector investments, ahead of the American Gas Association’s Financial Forum. Now in year three of the data center wave, infrastructure spending and growth expectations continue to climb. Vertically integrated electric utilities are identified as the primary beneficiaries, with high potential to capture long-term earnings growth by building out localized grid capacity to serve this massive load demand. The company has demonstrated a strong track record of steady distribution growth with an increase in its annual common stock dividend for twenty-three consecutive years.
Founded in 1909, Xcel Energy Inc. is a major regulated electric and natural gas utility holding company. The Minnesota-based company operates four utility subsidiaries and serves customers across eight Western and Midwestern states.
4. Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG)
Beta: 0.55
Dividend Yield: 3.36%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 9, 2026
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 18, 2026, Truist lowered its price target on Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated by $3 to $88. The firm’s analyst Richard Sunderland maintained a Hold rating on the stock. Truist adjusted its price target on the stock, as part of a broader Power and Utilities model update ahead of the American Gas Association’s Financial Forum. According to the analyst, the market has entered year three of the data center wave, and the sector capital investments and growth forecasts continue to grow. The firm sees vertically integrated electric utilities as clear winners, as they are optimally positioned to build the infrastructure needed to meet surging power demand.
In an unrelated event, on May 12, 2026, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated was named to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class North America Index for the 18th consecutive year. The S&P Global index selected the company based on its long-term environmental performance, sustainability practices, and community and workforce support. Rick Thigpen, the company’s SVP for corporate citizenship, said the ongoing recognition reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable operations, stakeholder alignment, and resilient infrastructure.
Founded in 1903 and headquartered in New Jersey, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated is a diversified energy holding company. The company’s core assets include Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), the state’s largest regulated utility, and PSEG Nuclear, a major merchant nuclear generation fleet.
3. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)
Beta: 0.39
Dividend Yield: 4.01%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 5, 2026
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
PepsiCo, Inc. restructured its credit facilities on May 22, 2026, to maintain short- and long-term liquidity. The company replaced its existing $5 billion 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility with a new one expiring May 21, 2027. At the same time, the company swapped its $5 billion five-year facility for a new agreement extending through May 22, 2031, featuring a €1.2 billion swingline subfacility. Both arrangements were managed by Citibank and allow capacity expansions up to $5.75 billion. The purpose is to increase support for general corporate needs without increasing headline commitments.
In another development, on May 6, 2026, PepsiCo, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share of common stock – a 4% increase compared to the prior period. The increase is in line with the company’s previously announced increase in annualized dividend from $5.69 to $5.92 per share. Payable on June 30, 2026, to shareholders of record on June 5, the dividend marks the company’s 54th consecutive annual increase.
Founded in 1965, PepsiCo, Inc. is a global food and beverage powerhouse. The New York-based company operates a highly complementary portfolio that includes convenient foods, snacks, and beverages across more than 200 countries.
2. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB)
Beta: 0.31
Dividend Yield: 5.11%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 5, 2026
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation provided an update on May 19, 2026, regarding its new clinical trial, “An Open-Label Applicator Tampon Safety-in-Use Study.” Actively recruiting volunteers, the study evaluates the safety of a commercially available tampon, designated as Tampon A, across regular, super, and super plus absorbencies during normal use. The trial runs an unblinded protocol and aims to de-risk product safety and reinforce consumer trust within Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s core feminine care division. The company has further reinforced its core product commitment on May 6, 2026, with the Natural Born Fighters campaign, launched by its own brand, Huggies. The campaign involves recognizing NICU babies’ strengths and supporting caregivers. Grounded in personalized care, it reframes fragile infants as Little Fighters.
Separately, Kimberly-Clark Corporation declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, payable on July 2, 2026, to shareholders of record as of June 5, 2026. The announcement made on May 12, 2026, highlights the company’s long-term financial stability and also marks its 92nd consecutive year of dividend payments and its 54th consecutive annual dividend increase.
Founded in 1872, Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a global company focused on personal care products and solutions. Based in Texas, the company operates through two segments: North America and International Personal Care.
1. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)
Beta: 0.52
Dividend Yield: 5.88%
Ex. Dividend Date: June 15, 2026
Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 21, 2026, Altria Group, Inc. subsidiary U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) announced a strategic consolidation to modernize its manufacturing footprint. The company will shift all production from its Tennessee facility to a new facility on an existing campus in Kentucky. The Nashville plant will wind down gradually, with operations expected to conclude in early 2028. With this transition, the company intends to improve long-term operational efficiency alongside supply chain resilience. USSTC will encourage affected Nashville employees to apply for open roles in Kentucky and Virginia. The company also offers severance packages and outplacement support to those who choose not to relocate.
In an unrelated event on May 15, 2026, Barclays raised its price target on Altria Group, Inc. from $63 to $64. Alongside this $1 rise in PT, the analyst kept an Underweight rating on the shares. The firm believes that the latest FDA guidance favors the tobacco sector, potentially spurring innovation. The growth in innovation is expected to be followed by an accelerated growth of next-generation products, which in turn will bring more changes to the stock ratings. Showcasing an incredible legacy of returning value to investors, Altria has raised its dividend sixty times in fifty-seven years.
Founded in 1919, Altria Group, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of tobacco, nicotine, and alternative products. Headquartered in Virginia, the company manages a premier brand portfolio anchored by Marlboro cigarettes.
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