In this article, we will take a look at the 12 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
Dividend-paying stocks have long played a steady role in investment portfolios. Investors often turn to them for reliable income and for some protection when markets get rough. That protection becomes more visible during market downturns. According to a report from Eagle Investment Management, dividend-paying stocks held up better in 2022, when the S&P 500 fell by more than 18%. Stocks in the index that paid dividends declined 11.1% that year. Those that did not pay dividends fell much further, losing 38.7%. The pattern flipped in the first half of 2023. Dividend payers returned 12.2%, while non-dividend stocks gained 36.7%.
A separate study from Heartland Advisors looked at long-term performance going back to January 1928. The analysis assumed dividends were reinvested and tracked results through December 2017. Over that full period, portfolios made up of dividend-paying stocks consistently outperformed portfolios of non-dividend payers. Higher-yielding dividend groups generally did better than lower-yielding ones. The report also found that dividend payers showed lower volatility, measured by annualized standard deviation, and posted higher Sharpe ratios than non-payers.
Similar conclusions appear in historical market data cited by The Wall Street Journal. During major market downturns in 1981–1982, 1990, 2000–2002, and 2008, dividend-paying stocks as a group outperformed those that did not pay dividends. These results align with what longer-term data shows across multiple market cycles.
Downside protection matters to most investors, especially because market corrections often happen quickly. In many cases, declines are sharp and short, with more than half of the corrections in the sample ending within three months. Large institutions often cannot shift portfolios fast enough during these periods due to their size and decision-making structure. For that reason alone, maintaining a long-term allocation to dividend-paying stocks makes sense as a risk management tool, even when they fall out of favor during strong market rallies.
Given this, we will take a look at the unstoppable dividend stocks to invest in.
Our Methodology:
For this list, we screened for companies with market caps above $2 billion and identified dividend stocks. From that list, we picked stocks that have generated the highest returns over the past year. Finally, we picked stocks with the highest upside potential, based on analysts’ price targets, as of February 7. The stocks are ranked according to their upside potential.
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 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12. Ubiquiti Inc. (NYSE:UI)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 11.27%
1-Year Return: 59.57%
On February 4, Barclays analyst Tim Long raised the firm’s price recommendation on Ubiquiti Inc. (NYSE:UI) to $527 from $455. The firm maintained an Underweight rating on the shares. The change followed an update to the firm’s model after the fiscal Q2 report.
Ubiquiti reported fiscal Q2 2026 earnings on February 8. Revenue came in at $814.8 million, up 35.8% from the same period last year. The company said revenue growth versus both the prior quarter and the year-ago period was driven by higher contributions from the Enterprise Technology platform and the Service Provider Technology platform.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2026, research and development expenses totaled $50.8 million. This was higher than the $48.5 million recorded in the prior quarter and above the $40.0 million reported in the comparable period last year. The increase from the prior quarter was mainly tied to higher prototype-related costs. The year-over-year increase was largely driven by higher employee-related expenses along with additional prototype spending.
Sales, general, and administrative expenses for the quarter reached $30.3 million. That compares with $27.1 million in the previous quarter and $28.5 million in the same quarter last year.
Ubiquiti Inc. (NYSE:UI) develops technology platforms focused on distributed internet access, unified information technology, and consumer electronics used in professional, home, and personal settings. Its solutions are organized around high-performance networking technology for enterprises, service providers, and consumers.
11. Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 11.08%
1-Year Return: 57.05%
On February 6, Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) raised its price target on Johnson Controls to $158 from $138 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. In a research note, the firm said the company’s fiscal Q1 results offered another clear proof point of a “break out in performance” under Johnson Controls’ new CEO.
A few days earlier, on February 4, the company guided 2026 profit above Wall Street expectations. The outlook reflected steady demand for its thermal management and cooling equipment, particularly in data centers. Johnson Controls, whose portfolio includes IT cooling, security, and fire systems, continues to benefit from AI-driven data center expansion, alongside a broader upswing among industrial companies supplying critical infrastructure.
As more AI computing capacity comes online, demand for cooling infrastructure has continued to rise. Customers are increasingly focused on dependable, energy-efficient thermal management solutions. The company raised its full-year adjusted profit forecast to $4.70 per share from $4.55, ahead of analysts’ average estimate of $4.61, based on data compiled by LSEG. Its second-quarter adjusted profit outlook of $1.11 per share also exceeded the consensus estimate of $1.05.
For the quarter ended December 31, Johnson Controls reported adjusted earnings of 89 cents per share, compared with 64 cents a year earlier. Revenue in the first quarter rose to $5.79 billion from $5.43 billion in the prior-year period.
Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) serves customers across aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and commercial construction. Its products span heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, along with security, fire protection, and refrigeration equipment.
10. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 12.1%
1-Year Return: 69.6%
On February 6, Bernstein raised its price recommendation on L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) to $405 from $398. It maintained an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm pointed to the company’s Q4 results, reported on January 29, which came in ahead of consensus EPS and showed a sizable increase in backlog. In line with management guidance, Bernstein slightly lowered its 2026 EPS estimate to reflect a higher share count. At the same time, the firm lifted its longer-term earnings outlook.
On January 30, L3Harris announced it had secured a U.S. Navy contract to develop Red Wolf vehicles for the Marine Corps’ precision-strike program. The Red Wolf is a long-range missile designed to hit moving targets, including ships, at distances beyond 200 nautical miles. CEO Christopher Kubasik commented on the program, saying:
“Our proven Red Wolf system can bring affordable mass to the Marines’ arsenal of advanced munitions within the timeline U.S. officials have outlined to support the most lethal fighting force in the world.”
The company first introduced Red Wolf last July alongside Green Wolf, another long-range missile. Both systems were positioned as lower-cost strike options as the US military works to rebuild weapon stockpiles and reinforce its deterrence posture toward China in the Pacific.
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) provides technology solutions across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains in support of national security. Its operations span Space & Airborne Systems, Integrated Mission Systems, Communication Systems, and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
9. Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 12.3%
1-Year Return: 130.6%
On January 30, UBS analyst Joshua Spector raised his price recommendation on Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) to $125 from $109. The analyst also maintained a Buy rating on the stock. In a research note, he said management’s earnings commentary pointed to additional optical deals in the pipeline, similar to the company’s agreement with Meta Platforms. Those potential wins are not yet reflected in Corning’s growth targets, leaving room for future upward revisions.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Wendell Weeks said the company wrapped up a strong year. Sales rose 14% from a year earlier to $4.41 billion, while earnings per share climbed 26% to $0.72. He noted that operating margin expanded by 170 basis points to 20.2%, allowing Corning to reach its Springboard target a full year ahead of schedule. Return on invested capital also improved, rising 150 basis points to 14.2%.
Weeks pointed to the Springboard plan as a major contributor to that performance. He said free cash flow in 2025 nearly doubled to $1.72 billion, compared with $880 million in 2023.
He also highlighted a major long-term agreement with Meta. Weeks explained that the two companies entered into a multiyear deal valued at up to $6 billion, aimed at supporting Meta’s applications, technologies, and AI initiatives through Corning’s latest optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions. He added that Meta will serve as the anchor customer for expanded and upgraded manufacturing and technology capabilities at Corning’s North Carolina operations.
Looking ahead, Weeks said the company has raised the bar for its Springboard plan. Corning now expects to add $11 billion in incremental annualized sales by the end of 2028, up from the original $8 billion goal.
Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) operates as a materials science innovator with businesses spanning Optical Communications, Display Technologies, Specialty Materials, Environmental Technologies, and Life Sciences. Its Optical Communications segment supplies carrier and enterprise network components to the telecommunications industry.
8. Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 12.3%
1-Year Return: 130.6%
Morgan Stanley boosted its price recommendation on Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) to $255 from $245 on February 6. The firm kept an Overweight rating on the stock. In a research note, the analyst said the firm updated its view on the stock’s risk-reward profile following what it described as “strong” second-quarter results.
A day earlier, on February 5, Cardinal Health lifted its 2026 profit outlook after posting quarterly results that beat expectations. The upside was driven by solid demand for specialty medicines, which pushed the stock up more than 9% in morning trading.
Drug distributors such as Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson are benefiting from rising demand for higher-margin treatments used in complex conditions, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. The group is also seeing support from the rollout of biosimilars tied to blockbuster drugs that have lost patent protection.
At the same time, these companies are expanding further into specialty medicines by acquiring cancer center operators. The strategy helps them diversify beyond traditional drug distribution while strengthening their core operations. During the post-earnings call, CEO Jason Hollar downplayed GLP-1 drugs as a meaningful profit driver. While the products continue to support revenue, he said the company does not expect the fast-growing category to materially change earnings. On oral GLP-1 drugs, Hollar said adoption remains “slow” and is unlikely to be material this fiscal year, though he expects uptake to accelerate over time.
Cardinal Health now expects adjusted earnings in the range of $10.15 to $10.35 per share, compared with its previous forecast of at least $10 per share. Quarterly revenue totaled $65.63 billion, topping analysts’ average estimate of $64.14 billion, according to data from LSEG. Adjusted profit came in at $2.63 per share, above estimates of $2.36.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) is a global healthcare services and products company. It provides customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home, along with a broad range of pharmaceuticals and medical products.
7. Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE:TPR)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 13.54%
1-Year Return: 89.23%
On February 6, Baird raised its price recommendation on Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE:TPR) to $160 from $140. The firm also kept an Outperform rating on the shares. The update came after the firm refreshed its model following Tapestry’s Q2 results.
Tapestry raised its full-year targets for the second time, helped by strong demand for its Tabby handbags. The affordable luxury brand had a strong holiday quarter, beating expectations with room to spare. Much of that momentum came from affluent Gen Z shoppers, who have been buying Tabby bags priced between $295 and $725. The trend has clearly favored the Coach label, especially as competitors like Michael Kors have struggled to connect with more selective customers.
Coach posted a 25% jump in revenue to $2.14 billion in the second quarter. That result easily topped analysts’ expectations for roughly 14.5% growth, based on data from LSEG. Following the strong quarter, Tapestry lifted its full-year adjusted earnings outlook to $6.40 to $6.45 per share, up from its prior range of $5.45 to $5.60.
The company now expects operating margins to improve by about 180 basis points this year, compared with an earlier target of around 50 basis points. Full-year revenue is projected to exceed $7.75 billion, up from about $7.3 billion previously. Tapestry also increased its expected share buybacks for fiscal 2026 to roughly $1.2 billion, from $1 billion.
Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE:TPR) operates a portfolio of accessories and lifestyle brands that includes Coach and kate spade new york. Coach is positioned as a global fashion house offering accessories and lifestyle collections across a wide range of categories.
6. General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 14.5%
1-Year Return: 77.76%
On January 29, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) said it will cut about 500 jobs in Canada as it reduces operations at its Oshawa, Ontario, plant. The decision adds to the strain already facing the auto sector, which has been under pressure from US tariffs.
GM Canada will move the Oshawa Assembly Plant back to a two-shift schedule. The company is ending a temporary third shift that was added after the pandemic to meet strong pickup-truck demand and rebuild depleted inventories. Spokesperson Jennifer Wright said the shift was no longer needed.
Auto union Unifor said the impact will be broader than Oshawa alone. The union expects up to 1,200 workers across the auto supply chain to complete their final shifts on Friday as GM scales back its Canadian footprint. Unifor accused the company of shifting production to the US after Washington imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian-built vehicles last year. It also said GM rejected a proposal to keep the third shift running through 2026. GM has also criticized Canada for allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles into the country under a 6.1% tariff. Wright said the Oshawa changes are not linked to Canada’s evolving policy on Chinese EV imports. She added that GM’s C$280 million ($207 million) commitment is part of more than C$2.6 billion that the company says it has invested in Canadian manufacturing over the past five years.
Oshawa remains GM’s only North American facility that builds both light- and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickups on the same production line. Parts of the plant will continue supporting aftermarket stamping and sub-assembly work. GM also said its St. Catharines, Ontario, propulsion plant will keep producing next-generation V8 engines for trucks and SUVs, while the CAMI Assembly plant is still being evaluated for future programs.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automotive parts worldwide. The company also offers software-enabled services and subscription-based products.
5. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 15.2%
1-Year Return: 111.15%
On January 28, JPMorgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas made a big adjustment to his outlook on Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), lifting his price recommendation to $195 from $80. The analyst maintained a Neutral rating on the stock. The move reflected how quickly sentiment around lithium has shifted after a long period of weakness.
Earlier in the month, Jefferies strategist Steven DeSanctis singled out Albemarle as the best performer among a group of cyclical stocks. He pointed to improving demand out of China, where lithium carbonate and hydroxide prices have jumped about 70% since early 2025. After lagging for much of last year, prices in other regions are now beginning to move higher as well. DeSanctis also noted that lower interest rates and the growing likelihood of stimulus, particularly in the US, could start to release demand that had been delayed during the downturn.
Albemarle is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on February 11. The company has been focused on conserving cash. Capital spending fell to $434 million over the first nine months of the year, down from $903 million in the same period last year. Looking ahead, management expects CapEx of around $600 million in 2025, roughly 65% lower than in 2024. That pullback has helped support the balance sheet, with operating cash flow rising 57% from a year earlier to $356 million.
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) operates as a global specialty chemicals company and is best known as the world’s largest producer of lithium, a key material used in electric vehicle batteries. The company also has exposure to bromine and catalyst markets, which helps provide some diversification when lithium prices swing.
4. Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 16.92%
1-Year Return: 79.17%
On February 2, UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri raised his price recommendation on Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) to $405 from $285. The analyst reiterated a Buy rating on the stock.
The shares have climbed close to 80% over the past year. A big reason is the company’s steadier growth profile. New chip fabrication plants are not short-term projects. They take years to plan and build. Once they are up and running, the equipment inside those facilities needs regular service and upgrades. That ongoing work has become a reliable source of revenue for Applied.
The company is positioned to grow alongside the broader semiconductor manufacturing industry. Demand tied to network-connected industrial equipment, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence continues to build, and Applied’s tools sit at the center of those trends.
Applied also stands out for its profitability. It consistently delivers strong operating margins and returns all of its free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.
Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) provides materials engineering solutions across the semiconductor and display markets, supplying a combination of equipment, services, and software to technology manufacturers worldwide.
3. Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 18.05%
1-Year Return: 165.02%
On February 6, UBS lowered its price target on Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) to $55 from $59, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
A few days earlier, on February 4, CIBC moved in the opposite direction. The firm raised its price target on Barrick to $71 from $50 and reiterated an Outperformer rating. The change came as CIBC lifted its gold price forecasts to $6,000 per ounce for 2026 and $6,500 for 2027, while also raising its copper assumptions. The analyst said the same demand drivers seen in 2025 are expected to carry into 2026, though geopolitical risks are becoming more pronounced.
On February 5, Bloomberg reported that Barrick plans to spin off its top North American gold assets through an initial public offering as part of a broader strategic reset. The company said it intends to sell a minority stake in the new North American unit, with an IPO targeted for late 2026. Interim chief executive Mark Hill told investors the company plans to sell between 10% and 15% of the new entity.
The proposed IPO could be valued at more than $60 billion and follows a period of operational and leadership challenges. Barrick has faced declining production in recent years and a management shakeup, including the abrupt exit of former CEO Mark Bristow in September after the seizure of a key mine in Mali by the country’s military junta. The spinoff is expected to include Barrick’s joint-venture interests in Nevada, including the Fourmile discovery, as well as a mine in the Dominican Republic. Assets located in higher-risk regions such as Africa and Pakistan will remain with the parent company.
Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) produces gold and copper and is also involved in related activities such as exploration and mine development.
2. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 27.8%
1-Year Return: 45.07%
On January 28, Argus trimmed its price recommendation on CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) to $90 from $91. However, the firm maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The shares fell nearly 15% after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed keeping Medicare Advantage reimbursement rates flat for 2027 compared with 2026. Argus said that the proposal is likely to be revised higher before the final decision in April 2026. The analyst also noted that even if the final increase comes in below last year’s 5.1% hike, CVS’s diversified business should help cushion the impact better than companies that rely solely on health insurance.
On February 5, CVS announced changes to its preferred drug lists that will take effect on April 1. The company said it will replace certain bone disease treatments from Amgen and Eli Lilly with lower-cost alternatives. Through its pharmacy benefit management unit, Caremark, CVS plans to add biosimilar versions of Amgen’s Prolia, including Ospomyv from its Cordavis unit and Celltrion’s Stoboclo. It will also include generic alternatives to Lilly’s Forteo, such as Bonsity and Tymlos, across major national commercial formularies.
CVS said the changes are expected to cut prescription costs by more than 50% compared with branded drugs. The company added that its biosimilar formulary strategy has already generated $1.5 billion in gross savings for customers and their members.
CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) operates as a health solutions company with businesses spanning health insurance, pharmacy services, retail pharmacy operations, and related healthcare offerings.
1. The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE)
Upside Potential as of February 7: 36.8%
1-Year Return: 65.7%
On February 5, Benchmark analyst Benjamin Klieve initiated coverage of The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE) with a Buy rating and a $75 price target. He pointed to growing momentum in the company’s ethanol business and said headwinds in the Agribusiness segment are beginning to ease. Klieve added that visibility into the next phase of growth, stretching into 2026 and beyond, is “exceptionally high.” Even with the stock trading at an all-time high, he said it remains “a still compelling entry point.”
Back in December, the company laid out a longer-term growth plan aimed at reaching a run-rate of $7.00 in earnings per share by the time it exits 2028. That implies a 36% compounded annual growth rate from $2.56 per share over the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2025.
The plan centers on investing in strategic growth opportunities across the business. One of the larger projects is a $60 million investment at the Clymers, Indiana, ethanol plant. That expansion is expected to add 30 million gallons of ethanol capacity by mid-2027. The company is also moving ahead with the expansion of its export terminal at the Port of Houston, scheduled for completion in 2026. Once finished, the facility will allow soybean meal exports to international markets and improve the efficiency of western grain exports.
The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE) is a diversified company with operations spanning Agribusiness and Renewables. Its Agribusiness segment includes commodity merchandising, grain terminal operations, and the production and distribution of plant nutrient products.
While we acknowledge the potential of ANDE 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 ANDE and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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