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. (NASDAQ:GILD) 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. (NASDAQ:GILD) 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. (NASDAQ:GILD) 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 (NYSE:LMT) 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 (NYSE:LMT), each baseline upgrade helps expand the company’s Aegis air and missile defense capabilities.
Prior to this, on May 21, 2026, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) 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 (NYSE:LMT) 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 (NYSE:KO) 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 (NYSE:KO) 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 (NYSE:KO) 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 (NYSE:KO) 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 (NYSE:AEE) 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 (NYSE:AEE) 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 (NYSE:AEE), 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 (NYSE:AEE) has paid uninterrupted dividends to shareholders for over 100 consecutive years.
Founded in 1997, Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE) 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. (NYSE:MRK) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.
On May 22, 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) 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. (NYSE:MRK) 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. (NYSE:MRK) has raised its annual dividend payout for sixteen consecutive years.
Founded in 1891 and based in New Jersey, Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) 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.
While we acknowledge the potential of MRK to grow, 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 MRK and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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