In this article, we will take a look at the 15 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now.
According to an April 6 report by CNBC, if the Iran war drags on longer than expected, investors may want to look at defensive stocks that pay dividends, according to Jefferies. The market has seen-sawed, and oil prices have climbed since the conflict began on February 28. Stocks edged higher on April 6 as investors looked for signs of a possible ceasefire. All three major indexes broke their five-week losing streaks last week. At the same time, oil is still trading above $100 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate futures were last above $112 per barrel, while Brent remained just below $110.
In this backdrop, Desh Peramunetilleke, head of the firm’s quantitative strategy, stayed focused on US defensive companies. He advised investors to consider firms with a market cap above $10 billion, dividend yields above 3%, and an EPS compound annual growth rate for 2026 to 2027 in the range of 0% to 10%. These companies also show high earnings certainty and a consistent dividend history, with cuts occurring less than once every four years. They generate positive free cash flow as well.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks that offer consistent payouts.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hands-holding-us-dollar-bills-4968630/
Our Methodology
For this list, we identified dividend companies that have paid and increased dividends consistently for years. The companies are popular among hedge funds and analysts. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment.
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).
15. Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) is one of the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On April 6, Old Republic International Corporation said it is setting up a new operating company, Old Republic Property, Inc. The unit will focus on underwriting specialized property insurance products and will distribute them through a national retail broker network.
Patrick Hagerty will lead the business as President. He is a graduate of Villanova University and brings more than 20 years of experience in property underwriting and leadership. His background includes building underwriting teams with a strong focus on technical expertise, portfolio management, and long-term profitability. Craig R. Smiddy, Old Republic International’s President and Chief Executive Officer, made the following statement:
“Property insurance is a core line that aligns well with Old Republic’s long-standing strategy and focus on diversified growth in Specialty Insurance. Patrick’s leadership experience, underwriting discipline, and cultural fit, together with Old Republic’s brand, resources, and financial strength, position Old Republic Property to build a high-quality specialty franchise over time.”
Old Republic Property becomes the seventh specialty operating company the firm has launched since 2021. The move adds more depth, diversification, and underwriting capability to the Old Republic Specialty Insurance Group.
Old Republic International Corporation operates as a specialty insurer with a range of property and casualty and title insurance businesses. It functions as a holding company focused on insurance underwriting and related services.
14. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On April 6, Jefferies raised its price recommendation on Archer-Daniels-Midland Company to $77 from $65. It reiterated a Hold rating on the shares. The firm sees Q1 as the low point. It expects Q1 EPS of 70c and EBITDA of $859M, both in line with consensus. It also believes higher crush margins and biofuel policy deferral margins should support Agriculture Services and Oilseeds starting in Q2. E15 and 45Z are expected to support growth in Carbohydrate Nutrition, though the extent of that growth remains unclear, the analyst said in a research note.
Earlier, on March 24, JPMorgan raised its price objective on Archer Daniels to $65 from $61 and maintained an Underweight rating. The firm lifted its estimates and targets across the agricultural products group, pointing to an improving industry backdrop. The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed renewable volume obligations for 2026 would “mandate a significant step up” in biofuels mandates and are expected to take effect on January 1, the analyst said. JPMorgan believes demand pull, along with recent geopolitical disruptions, is pushing margins higher for biofuels producers and oilseed processors.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company is a global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, supporting food production by linking local demand with global capabilities. It also provides nutrition solutions for both humans and animals.
13. Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Brown & Brown, Inc. is one of the best dividend stocks with consistent payouts.
On April 6, Morgan Stanley lowered its price recommendation on Brown & Brown, Inc. to $70 from $76. It maintained an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets across the property and casualty insurance group as part of its Q1 earnings preview. It expects solid underwriting across the sector, though that strength is likely to be offset by continued pricing softening, the analyst said in a research note. Morgan Stanley also noted it remains “generally negative” on personal lines. It added that reinsurers “should maintain stability.”
Earlier, on March 11, Barclays analyst Alex Scott lowered the firm’s price goal on Brown & Brown to $80 from $82 and maintained an Equal Weight rating. The analyst said the insurance broker group has “derated sharply on fears of AI-driven disruption.” Barclays views the recent selloff as overdone. It believes current share multiples are now “more than discount”, slower growth, while not fully reflecting the durability of the broker business model or AI’s ability to support productivity and margins. The analyst described AI as a “productivity enabler” for brokers.
Brown & Brown, Inc. operates as a diversified insurance agency and wholesale brokerage. The company also runs insurance programs and service operations, focusing mainly on property, casualty, and employee benefits products.
12. The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is one of the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On April 1, The Clorox Company announced that it had completed its previously announced acquisition of GOJO Industries. The deal adds the Purell brand and GOJO’s health and hygiene solutions to Clorox’s portfolio. The company said the combination brings together two businesses with a shared focus on making the world cleaner and healthier. It also pointed to complementary strengths in consumer brand building and B2B capabilities, which are expected to support a broader product offering and create both near- and long-term strategic value.
Linda Rendle, chair and CEO of The Clorox Company, made the following statement:
“Today marks an important milestone as GOJO officially joins The Clorox Company. GOJO has incredible strength in the marketplace, and we are looking forward to coming together to thoughtfully grow the business. We see strong opportunity ahead as we bring together our leading brands, talented organizations and complementary capabilities to deliver best-in-class health and hygiene solutions to consumers and institutional end users alike.”
The GOJO business will now operate as Clorox Purell. It will be led by President Carey Jaros and will remain headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its existing facilities in Ashland, Cuyahoga Falls, and Wooster, Ohio, will continue to operate.
The Clorox Company is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products. Its portfolio includes brands such as Brita, Burt’s Bees, Clorox, Fresh Step, Glad, Hidden Valley, Kingsford, Liquid-Plumr, Pine-Sol, and Purell, along with international brands like Chux, Clorinda, and Poett. The company operates across Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International segments.
11. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 49
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On March 27, BofA analyst Ken Hoexter lowered the firm’s price recommendation on C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. to $219 from $225. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The firm made a slight cut to its Q1 North American Surface Transportation targets. It expects adjusted gross margin pressure, driven by an above-seasonal increase in truckload spot rates, the analyst said.
On the same day, Evercore ISI analyst Jonathan Chappell lowered the firm’s price goal on CHRW to $205 from $219 and maintained an Outperform rating. The analyst said recent data points, both macro and sector-specific, point to the end of the prolonged downturn. They also suggest a more meaningful EPS recovery could be ahead, he added in a note on the transports group.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is a global logistics provider. The company reports across three segments: North American Surface Transportation (NAST), Global Forwarding, and All Other, and Corporate. The NAST segment handles transportation and logistics services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
10. U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in for consistent income.
On April 6, Evercore ISI lowered its price recommendation on U.S. Bancorp to $58 from $65. It reiterated an In Line rating on the shares. The change came as part of the firm’s Q1 preview for banks and specialty finance.
On April 1, HSBC analyst Saul Martinez lowered the firm’s price objective on USB to $63 from $70 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said markets have “quickly repriced” higher downside macro risk along with renewed credit concerns across U.S. bank stocks. It also noted that the multi-year return on equity expansion is now “less clearly priced in” for universal banks, which is creating opportunities, the analyst said in a research note. As a result, HSBC upgraded both Bank of America and Wells Fargo to Buy.
U.S. Bancorp is a financial services holding company. Its segments include Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support.
9. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 63
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On April 6, Stifel lowered its price recommendation on Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) to $95 from $105. It reiterated a Hold rating on the shares. The firm updated its model to reflect expected transaction-related impacts following the March 9 completion of Medtronic’s Diabetes business IPO, now called “MiniMed” (MMED). Medtronic had indicated that MiniMed will remain a consolidated subsidiary within MDT until the formal separation, which is expected about six months after the IPO. During this transition period, Stifel continues to model the full Diabetes business revenue. At the same time, it adjusts for the 10% non-controlling interest that Medtronic sold in the IPO. Management expects IPO-related EPS dilution of 1c to 2c per month until the separation is complete.
On March 27, Reuters reported that Medtronic announced the US Food and Drug Administration had cleared its surgical system for cranial and ear, nose, and throat procedures. This expands the platform beyond the spine indication it received earlier in the year. The system, called Stealth AXiS, combines surgical navigation, imaging, and robotics to assist surgeons during complex procedures.
For cranial surgeries, it uses artificial intelligence to automatically generate brain maps and highlight key neural pathways, helping guide planning and execution. For ENT procedures, it offers more precise navigation along with clearer visualization of the sinuses and skull base.
Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) is an Ireland-based healthcare technology provider. Its products are organized across four main portfolios: Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, Medical Surgical, and Diabetes.
8. Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 65
Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On April 2, Citi raised its price recommendation on Sysco Corporation to $73 from $72. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm updated its model to include Jetro. It also said it continues to see execution risk.
On March 30, Reuters reported that Sysco had agreed to acquire catering supplier Jetro Restaurant Depot in a $29 billion deal. The move is intended to expand Sysco’s reach among price-conscious independent restaurants. The company said it plans to fund the deal with $21 billion in new and hybrid debt, along with $1 billion in cash and equity. Jetro Restaurant Depot operates a wholesale cash-and-carry model, where customers pay upfront for goods such as food, beverages, and takeaway containers.
This approach complements Sysco’s existing delivery network, which serves restaurants, hospitals, and hotels. The deal would also give Sysco access to a higher-margin segment. Restaurant Depot operates around 166 warehouse locations across 35 U.S. states. Under the terms, Restaurant Depot shareholders will receive $21.6 billion in cash and 91.5 million Sysco shares, valued at about $7.5 billion based on Friday’s close. That would leave them with roughly a 16% stake in the combined company.
Sysco Corporation sells, markets, and distributes food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, and other customers that prepare meals away from home. It also provides a range of non-food items and operates across U.S. Foodservice Operations, International Foodservice Operations, SYGMA, and Other segments.
7. General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 66
On April 2, Citi lowered its price recommendation on General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) to $380 from $389. It kept a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm updated its estimates and price targets across the aerospace and defense sector as part of its Q1 preview.
On April 1, Wells Fargo analyst David Strauss initiated coverage of General Dynamics with an Overweight rating and a $400 price target. After a long stretch of negative earnings revisions, the firm sees General Dynamics “turning the corner.” It believes the company is positioned to benefit from a multiyear refresh of its business jet lineup, along with a better operating backdrop for shipbuilding and strong international demand for vehicles, the analyst said. The firm also noted that its 2026 estimate is ahead of consensus.
General Dynamics Corporation operates as a global aerospace and defense company. It provides products and services across business aviation, ship construction and repair, land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions, as well as technology solutions. The company reports through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies.
6. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 71
On April 6, Evercore ISI analyst Vijay Kumar lowered the firm’s price recommendation on Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) to $134 from $138. It maintained an Outperform rating on the shares. The update came as part of the firm’s Q1 preview for medical technology and life science tools.
On March 31, BTIG also lowered its price goal on Abbott to $131 from $140 and maintained a Buy rating. The firm said it is updating its model for Abbott Labs to include the Exact Sciences business, following the completion of that acquisition last week, the analyst noted in a research note. BTIG also pointed to new data from the Tri.Fr trial of Abbott’s TriClip, presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session. The study did not allow patients in the control medical therapy arm to cross over to TriClip treatment. It showed a reduction in the TriClip group for a composite outcome that included first hospitalization for heart failure, tricuspid valve surgery, or cardiovascular death.
Abbott Laboratories operates as a global healthcare company. Its business focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad range of healthcare products. The company reports across four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices.
5. McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
On April 6, BofA analyst Allen Lutz lowered the firm’s price recommendation on McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) to $1,000 from $1,040. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst said the rapid decline in cash-pay GLP-1 prices is shifting prescriptions away from insurance. At the same time, strong growth in cash-pay scripts for Wegovy and Zepbound could weigh on McKesson’s FY27 EBIT guidance in the Prescription Technology Solutions segment, potentially coming in below Street expectations.
Earlier in March, the company said Britt Vitalone, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has decided to retire after a 20-year career with McKesson, including more than eight years as CFO. Kenny Cheung is set to join the company as Executive Vice President and CFO, effective May 29, 2026.
Vitalone will remain involved with McKesson after stepping down as CFO. He will serve as a strategic advisor to help ensure a smooth transition and to support the planned separation of McKesson’s Medical Surgical Solutions business.
McKesson Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company focused on improving patient outcomes. Its US Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded, generic, specialty, biosimilar, and over-the-counter drugs, along with other healthcare-related products across the United States.
4. The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
On April 1, Citi lowered its price recommendation on The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) to $385 from $410. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said a spike in oil prices, along with supply disruptions, has affected most key raw materials used in coatings.
Earlier, on March 19, RBC Capital also lowered its price goal on SHW to $376 from $390 and maintained an Outperform rating. The analyst noted that the company’s end markets still appear choppy. If the Iran conflict stretches beyond 8 to 12 weeks, it could weigh on Q2 margins, the analyst said in a research note. RBC also said the company’s capital allocation approach, with a focus on buybacks, remains unchanged.
The Sherwin-Williams Company manufactures, develops, distributes, and sells paint, coatings, and related products. It serves professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers, mainly across North and South America, with additional operations in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
3. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 87
On March 30, Deutsche Bank raised its price recommendation on The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) to $86 from $83. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said it sees “legitimate and widespread pressures building” across much of the consumer packaged goods industry, tied to the conflict in the Middle East. It also noted that these stocks underperformed in March, as investors reacted to cost inflation concerns, the risk of demand trade-down, and unfavorable currency moves, the analyst said.
On April 2, CNBC reported that Coca-Cola launched a new campaign aimed at boosting soda sales at restaurants, where traffic and spending have remained under pressure. For the first time, the ads feature multiple restaurant partners. They show customers placing orders that all end with “And a Coke.” Thirteen chains are part of the campaign.
The effort comes as restaurants deal with fewer visits and lower spending, making high-margin beverages more important for profitability. Coca-Cola has also supported its partners through bundled deals and marketing initiatives to help drive demand. The campaign will run across theaters, TV, digital platforms, and delivery apps. Restaurants did not pay to participate, which reflects Coca-Cola’s role as a business partner.
About half of the company’s revenue comes from away-from-home channels, making this segment important. In North America, sales rose 4% in 2025, though volumes dipped slightly. The company expects modest growth in 2026.
The Coca-Cola Company operates as a global beverage business. It reports across segments, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, and Bottling Investments. Its portfolio includes sparkling soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta, along with other beverage categories sold worldwide.
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 98
On April 2, Citi analyst Alastair Syme raised Exxon Mobil Corporation’s (NYSE:XOM) price recommendation to $175 from $150. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm pointed to the Middle East conflict as a key factor. It believes the situation could lower the cost of equity for oil and gas stocks, which in turn is pushing price targets higher across the sector. The analyst also said the war could drive “structural re-engagement” from investors back into energy, according to a research note. Citi highlighted TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips, and BP as its top picks.
On March 30, Reuters reported that Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, produced its first liquefied natural gas at its Texas facility. It marks an important step toward bringing the large US export project online. The company expects to ship its first cargo in the second quarter. At the same time, global gas supplies have been tightening, as the war in the Middle East has disrupted output in Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers.
QatarEnergy owns 70% of the project, while Exxon holds the remaining 30%. The first production unit, Train 1, will add 6 mtpa of LNG capacity. Based on that split, QatarEnergy will receive just over 4 mtpa, and Exxon just under 2 mtpa. Exxon said the milestone reflects steady progress toward full operations, along with its continued focus on safety.
Exxon Mobil Corporation remains one of the largest publicly traded energy companies in the world. It operates across the full chain, from exploration and production to refining and petrochemicals, while continuing to focus on improving efficiency and lowering costs.
1. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100
On April 6, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott raised the firm’s price recommendation on Merck & Co., Inc. to $135 from $125. It reiterated an Overweight rating, heading into the April 30 earnings report. The firm is not looking for major surprises this quarter. The focus, in its view, remains on Merck’s pipeline. It also continues to see a favorable risk and return setup for the stock, especially with key data readouts expected in 2026 and 2027.
On April 2, Merck said KEYTRUDA, used with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, has been approved in the European Union. The treatment is for adults with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 with a Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1 and who have received one or two prior systemic therapies.
The approval also includes KEYTRUDA SC, known as KEYTRUDA QLEXTM (pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph) in the US. Merck said this makes the regimen the first and only PD-1 inhibitor-based option for eligible patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in the EU. The decision allows the treatment to be marketed across all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The timing of availability in each country will depend on local reimbursement processes.
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global healthcare company focused on prescription medicines, including biologics, vaccines, and animal health products. Its Pharmaceutical segment covers human health medicines and vaccines.
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