In this article, we will take a look at the 13 Best Strong Buy Dividend Stocks to Invest In.
In uncertain times, large companies that pay strong dividends tend to attract more attention, as these businesses generate profits supported by steady cash flows, which help sustain dividend payments even during moderate economic slowdowns. That consistency matters, and it reflects financial strength and careful management. Companies that commit to maintaining or increasing dividends must stay disciplined. They cannot afford to invest recklessly. Every capital decision has to support both growth and shareholder returns. This kind of discipline often leads to stronger balance sheets and more stable long-term performance.
These fundamentals help explain why dividend strategies can perform relatively well in both rising and volatile markets, although this is not assured. According to a report by VanEck, 2025 illustrated this clearly. The VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETF proved less volatile than global markets, represented by the MSCI World Index, after the US announced tariffs in April 2025. The report stated:
“As 2025 shows, they can provide resilience in volatile markets. Our research indicates that dividends have underpinned stock returns over the past 80 years, especially when inflation has spiked higher as it did in the 1940s and 1970s.”
This reflects how income from dividends can help support returns even when broader market conditions become more difficult. As investors refocus on fundamentals, dividends are once again gaining attention. Stock price gains often dominate headlines, but dividends have quietly played a major role in total returns. Over time, this income becomes a meaningful contributor to overall performance.
In addition, over the past 35 years, reinvested dividends have accounted for roughly half of the total return generated by the S&P 500. This is significant as it shows that long-term gains did not come only from rising stock prices, but also from the steady income companies returned to shareholders and the compounding effect of reinvesting those payments.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best Strong Buy dividend stocks to invest in.
Our Methodology:
For this list, we screened for dividend stocks with positive analyst sentiment and identified stocks with consensus Strong Buy ratings. These companies are also popular among hedge funds. 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 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
13. The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)
On February 17, Truist raised its price recommendation on The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) to $350 from $320. The firm reiterated a Buy rating on the stock. The analyst updated the firm’s model following the company’s Q4 results and its initial outlook for 2026, pointing to improved visibility into the business trajectory.
David Cordani, the company’s CEO and Chair, said The Cigna Group delivered adjusted revenue of $275 billion for the full year, marking an 11% increase. He also noted that adjusted earnings per share came in at $29.84, up 9% compared with the previous year, reflecting steady underlying growth.
He added that the company continued to reposition its portfolio through a series of strategic moves. These included increasing its investment in Shields Health Solutions and completing the divestiture of Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business. Cordani also said the company had resolved its Federal Trade Commission matters through a broad settlement tied to its pharmacy benefits operations. He stated that the agreement is expected to deliver “$7 billion in out-of-pocket cost relief over the next 10 years for the 100 million customers and patients we serve.”
Cordani also pointed to the launch of a rebate-free pharmacy benefit model. The initiative was first developed in early 2025 and formally introduced in the third quarter. He said the model “enhances the value we provide to customers and clients, all while we continue to strengthen our position and deliver on our long-term shareholder commitments.”
The Cigna Group operates as a global health company, with its business anchored around two main growth platforms: Evernorth Health Services and Cigna Healthcare.
12. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST)
On February 13, BofA lowered its price recommendation on West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) to $300 from $370. It reiterated a Buy rating on the stock. The firm’s view followed what it described as “a solid finish to the year,” along with FY26 guidance that came in ahead of expectations. The outlook reflected accelerating growth in its non-GLP-1 high-value products segment. After reviewing the company’s earnings and updated guidance, BofA revised its financial model. The firm also applied a lower valuation multiple, pointing to broader group compression across the sector.
A few days later, on February 16, 2026, West Pharmaceutical Services announced that its Board of Directors had declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share on its common stock. The dividend will be paid on May 6, 2026, to shareholders on record as of April 29, 2026. This move continued the company’s established pattern of returning capital to shareholders.
On February 17, 2026, the Board took another step in that direction by authorizing a new share repurchase program. The plan allows the company to buy back up to $1 billion of its common stock, reinforcing its commitment to shareholder returns and capital allocation discipline.
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) remains a key player in the healthcare supply chain. The company provides specialized solutions that support injectable drug delivery. By working closely with both established pharmaceutical firms and emerging biotech developers, West plays an important role in helping ensure that critical medicines are safely contained and delivered to patients.
11. Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN)
On February 23, UBS lowered its price recommendation on Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN) to $146 from $148. The firm reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst said the company is shifting away from a development-heavy phase and moving toward a model focused more on free cash flow generation. This transition is expected to become clearer as geographically diversified cash flow increases, especially after the Al Marjan property opens in the first quarter of 2027.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Craig Billings said the company is actively reshaping its portfolio to expand its geographic reach. He explained that Wynn Resorts is moving toward a structure where more than 55% of its revenue is expected to come from markets outside the US dollar. These contributions will come from properties the company has built and continues to operate. He noted that these resorts were designed with a clear focus on serving high-value customers in key global markets.
Billings also spoke about the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island project. He described it as a major step forward that will give the company access to a new and fast-growing region. He said the development will strengthen Wynn’s standing as a global name in luxury hospitality and gaming. As the company moves into 2026, he added, Wynn Resorts remains on track to become one of the most geographically diversified operators in its industry.
He also addressed performance in Las Vegas. Operations in the market generated EBITDA of $241 million, reflecting continued strength. Billings said demand remained healthy across Wynn’s Las Vegas properties, with drop, handle, and average daily room rates all rising compared to the prior year.
At the same time, he noted that the Encore Tower remodel is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. This renovation will temporarily reduce available room nights by about 80,000. He described this as a modest headwind, but one that fits into the company’s broader long-term plans.
Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN) develops and operates integrated resorts. Its properties combine hotel accommodations, retail, dining, entertainment, meeting and convention space, and gaming, all within a single destination.
10. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR)
On February 20, Morgan Stanley raised its price recommendation on Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR) to $100 from $93. It reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said the change came as it updated its targets across Regulated and Diversified Utilities and IPP stocks in North America. The analyst noted that utilities underperformed the S&P this month, which influenced the broader review. Looking ahead to Q4 earnings, the firm expects a more balanced discussion around data center pipelines. This comes as affordability concerns and political factors have started to shape the outlook. These issues are becoming part of the conversation, especially as utilities weigh long-term infrastructure investments.
Earlier in January, Spire announced that AiDASH selected the company to provide advanced weather intelligence and data. AiDASH is known for its vegetation, storm, and ignition risk intelligence, along with its SatelliteFirst grid monitoring solutions. The collaboration strengthens AiDASH’s platform by adding more precise weather insight.AiDASH has integrated Spire’s high-resolution weather forecasts into its AI-driven vegetation and outage prediction tools. These forecasts are powered by Spire’s fully deployed satellite constellation and are now used in utility control centers across North America. This gives operators clearer visibility into weather-related risks as conditions change.
The combined system brings together Spire’s forecasting capabilities and AiDASH’s vegetation risk models. This allows utilities to better anticipate outages, reduce wildfire risks, and respond more effectively when disruptions occur. Access to real-time data helps utilities make faster and more informed operational decisions.
Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR) provides space-based data, analytics, and satellite services. Its datasets help organizations monitor conditions on Earth and support decision-making across industries.
9. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)
On February 23, Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik lowered his price recommendation on S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) to $565 from $620. The analyst maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. He said AI has “exacerbated investor concerns around what was already an intensely competitive market data vendor industry.” This reflects growing pressure across the sector as companies compete to differentiate their data and analytics offerings.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, President, CEO, and Director Martina Cheung said the company delivered solid results. Revenue grew across the business, operating margins expanded meaningfully, and earnings per share increased 14%. She also noted that every division reported revenue growth within or above its original guidance range. Operating margins followed a similar pattern, coming in at or above the high end of expectations.
Cheung also discussed the company’s progress in key strategic areas. She pointed to developments in private markets, energy, and artificial intelligence as important drivers. The integration of With Intelligence, the launch of private equity benchmarks, and new partnerships with Cambridge Associates and Mercer stood out as meaningful steps. These moves are intended to deepen the company’s reach and strengthen its long-term position.
She said the company’s strategy continues to focus on three main priorities. These include reinforcing its leadership in core markets, expanding into high-growth adjacent areas like private markets and decentralized finance, and improving its enterprise-wide capabilities. Cheung also noted that more than 95% of the company’s revenue comes from proprietary benchmarks, differentiated data, and essential workflow tools. She expects that share to grow further over time.
S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) operates as a provider of essential intelligence across financial and commodity markets. Its business is organized into five segments: Market Intelligence, Ratings, Commodity Insights, Mobility, and S&P Dow Jones Indices.
8. Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:PATK)
On February 9, Roth Capital analyst Scott Stember raised his price recommendation on Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:PATK) to $157 from $115 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares following its “outsized” Q4 earnings beat. The analyst said the company continued to deliver solid and expanding results, with content per unit increasing across all categories. While recreation end markets remain soft, he noted there are early signs of improvement, pointing to what appears to be the beginning of a long-awaited trade-up cycle.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Andy L. Nemeth said the company remained resilient throughout 2025. He explained that investments in product development and innovation over the past two years are now showing clear results. These efforts supported meaningful content growth tied to the 2026 model year and reflect the company’s ongoing shift toward a full solutions model.
Nemeth also said Patrick Industries stayed active with acquisitions during the year. The company completed several deals, including Medallion Instrumentation Systems, Quality Engineered Services, Aegis Group, Lillipad Marine, and Elkhart Composites. He explained that these acquisitions helped bring in new technologies and strengthen the company’s marine solutions platform.
He also highlighted progress in the aftermarket segment. Nemeth said the company formalized a unified aftermarket strategy and structure, bringing together teams and capabilities from across the organization. He noted that the number of Patrick SKUs available on the RecPro platform increased to more than 500. He added that the company has formalized its unified aftermarket strategy and structure across Patrick, using internal expertise to identify untapped opportunities, assess acquisition targets, and expand aftermarket product availability for both consumers and dealers.
Nemeth also pointed to shareholder returns. He said the company increased its dividend by 17.5% during the year, including the regular quarterly dividend declared in November.
Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:PATK) operates as a component solutions provider serving the RV, marine, powersports, and housing markets. Its operations are organized across Manufacturing and Distribution segments.
7. Avient Corporation (NYSE:AVNT)
On February 17, Morgan Stanley raised its price recommendation on Avient Corporation (NYSE:AVNT) to $52 from $41. The firm maintained an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The revision came after the firm reviewed the company’s Q4 EPS and updated its valuation to reflect 2026 estimates. Morgan Stanley also issued a corrected note, increasing the target after its earlier report published on February 13.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, President, CEO, and Chairman Ashish Khandpur said the company delivered strong results through disciplined execution and careful cost management. He also pointed to the benefit of a more favorable business mix. These factors helped expand adjusted EBITDA margins by 80 basis points and drove adjusted EPS growth of 14% in the fourth quarter.
He noted that adjusted EBITDA margins improved year over year in every quarter of 2025. This steady improvement reflected consistent operational performance. Organic sales declined slightly, down 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Even so, reported sales increased 1.9%, supported by favorable foreign exchange trends.
Khandpur also highlighted strength across several important end markets. Defense, health care, and telecom each delivered double-digit growth, showing continued demand. Packaging demand also began to recover. Sales in that segment increased in the low single digits during the fourth quarter, compared with a decline in the third quarter. For the full year, adjusted EBITDA reached $545 million in 2025, representing growth of 3.5% from the prior year. Adjusted EPS rose 6%, helped by lower interest costs and favorable currency movements.
Avient Corporation (NYSE:AVNT) provides materials solutions used across a wide range of industries. Its portfolio includes colorants, advanced composites, functional additives, engineered materials, and Dyneema, its ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene product.
6. Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF)
On February 9, Stephens analyst Trey Grooms raised his price recommendation on Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF) to $115 from $92. The analyst reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The change followed fiscal Q1 results that came in ahead of both the firm’s expectations and consensus estimates, reflecting a stronger start to the year than anticipated.
During the fiscal Q1 2026 earnings call, Chairman and CEO Ronald Kramer said the company made meaningful progress across several strategic priorities. He pointed to the formation of a joint venture between AMES North America and Venanpri Tools as a key development. Griffon also generated free cash flow of $99 million during the quarter. Operating performance remained steady in the Home and Building Products segment, while profitability improved in the Consumer and Professional Products division.
Kramer said the joint venture is expected to create a global leader in hand tools, home organization products, and lawn and garden solutions. He explained that combining resources and scale will help the company compete more effectively, especially in international markets where size and distribution matter.
He also discussed Griffon’s broader shift toward becoming a more focused building products company. As part of this effort, the company is reviewing its AMES Australia and U.K. businesses. At the same time, Hunter Fan has been integrated into the Home and Building Products segment to simplify operations and improve alignment. Kramer highlighted the company’s capital allocation activity. Griffon repurchased $18 million of its shares during the quarter, continuing its buyback program. These repurchases have reduced total shares outstanding by 19.3% since the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2023, which reflects a clear focus on shareholder returns.
He added that Griffon continues to return capital through dividends. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share, marking the company’s 58th consecutive quarterly dividend payment.
Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF) operates as a diversified management and holding company through its subsidiaries. Its business is organized into two main segments: Home and Building Products and Consumer and Professional Products.
5. Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)
On February 18, Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith raised his price objective on Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) to $20 from $17. The analyst set a Hold rating on the shares. The analyst said the company’s updates on its natural gas projects were “rather exceptional.” Still, he noted that Energy Transfer’s natural gas exposure does not yet have the scale to “single-handedly address” the stock’s current valuation discount.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, Co-CEO Thomas Long said the partnership delivered record financial results. Adjusted EBITDA reached nearly $16 billion for the year, while distributable cash flow attributable to partners totaled $8.2 billion. He also pointed to strong operational execution, noting that the company transported record volumes across its interstate, midstream, NGL, and crude oil systems during 2025. Export activity also reached new highs, with record NGL volumes shipped from the Nederland and Marcus Hook terminals.
Long said the company invested about $4.5 billion in organic growth capital during the year. Most of this spending went toward expanding NGL, refined products, midstream, and intrastate infrastructure. These projects are intended to strengthen the company’s network and support future growth.
Looking ahead, Energy Transfer expects organic growth capital spending to increase to between $5 billion and $5.5 billion in 2026. Long said about two-thirds of that investment will focus on expanding natural gas assets. Another quarter will go toward NGL and refined products infrastructure, much of it supported by long-term contracts, which helps provide visibility into future returns.
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified energy infrastructure networks in the United States. Its system includes more than 140,000 miles of pipeline and related assets, spanning 44 states and connecting major production regions across the country.
4. Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE)
On February 20, RBC Capital raised its price recommendation on Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) to C$32 from C$31. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. The analyst pointed to the company’s experienced leadership team, strong alignment with shareholders, consistent free cash flow generation, and a strengthened asset portfolio as key positives.
A day earlier, on February 19, Cenovus announced that it had started drilling new wells at its Christina Lake oil sands site in northern Alberta. The asset was previously owned by MEG Energy. The company said this development is expected to increase overall production both this year and in 2027. Cenovus acquired MEG Energy last year after a prolonged takeover battle with Strathcona Resources. The deal added about 100,000 barrels per day of production to Cenovus’ portfolio. This expansion further solidified the company’s position as one of the world’s largest heavy oil producers.
The impact of the acquisition is already visible in its production figures. Cenovus reported production of 917,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the fourth quarter, up from 816,000 boepd a year earlier. Much of this increase came from the addition of the Christina Lake site. The company believes there is still room to expand production at Christina Lake beyond previous levels. CEO Jon McKenzie said during a conference call that Cenovus has started drilling 42 new wells as part of a redevelopment plan. He explained that the company will apply its own well-designed technologies at the site, which could improve efficiency and output.
Cenovus is also working on expanding processing capacity at Christina Lake. McKenzie said the plan could increase production at the site to more than 150,000 barrels per day by 2027 or 2028. This reflects the company’s longer-term focus on growing output from its core oil sands assets.
Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) is an integrated energy company based in Canada. It produces oil and natural gas in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and also operates upgrading, refining, and marketing businesses in Canada and the United States.
3. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)
According to a Bloomberg report published on February 23, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) agreed to sell an additional 24% stake in its Mexican retail banking unit for about $2.5 billion. The buyers include private equity firms, a bank, and a sovereign wealth fund. The move strengthens the ownership base of the business as Mexican billionaire Fernando Chico Pardo takes a leading role.
The investors agreed to purchase 499 million shares of Grupo Financiero Banamex for about 43 billion pesos, or $2.5 billion. Citigroup said the transactions are still subject to regulatory approval and are expected to close later this year. The sale was completed at a slight premium compared with the stake sold to Chico Pardo last year.
Each investor acquired a stake of less than 5%. Citigroup said the buyers include funds managed by Blackstone, General Atlantic, Brazilian bank Banco BTG Pactual, and Afore Sura, the Mexican pension fund operated by Colombia’s Sura Asset Management. The company also confirmed that Chubb, Liberty Strategic Capital, and the Qatar Investment Authority purchased equity stakes as part of the transaction.
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), led by CEO Jane Fraser, has been gradually reducing its exposure to retail banking in Mexico. Last year, the bank sold a 25% stake in Banamex to Chico Pardo for 42 billion pesos, or about $2.43 billion. The most recent sale was completed at 0.85 times book value, slightly higher than the 0.8 times book value paid in the earlier transaction.
2. The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE)
On February 19, BMO Capital raised its price recommendation on The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE) to $75 from $65. The firm maintained an Outperform rating on the stock. The analyst said the company’s record Q4 earnings were mainly driven by strong profitability in the Renewables segment and lower overall expenses. These gains helped offset slightly weaker-than-expected results in the Agribusiness segment.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO William Krueger credited the company’s team for delivering record fourth-quarter EPS. He said the results highlighted the strength and resilience of Andersons’ diversified portfolio. A stronger-than-expected fall harvest in the Western Grain Belt played a key role, allowing the company to secure large volumes of corn and sorghum at favorable pricing levels.
Krueger also highlighted solid operational momentum. Export volumes reached record levels, ethanol demand remained steady, and crop yields came in above average. At the same time, he acknowledged some challenges. Higher corn basis levels and rising natural gas costs created margin pressure at the company’s eastern ethanol facilities. He also confirmed that Andersons now fully owns four ethanol plants. In addition, the company is investing further in its Clymers, Indiana, facility. This expansion is expected to increase annual production capacity by about 30 million gallons beginning in 2027, strengthening its long-term position in ethanol production.
Krueger also discussed several ongoing investment projects aimed at supporting future growth. These include infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Houston, expansion of the mineral processing facility in Carlsbad, and efforts to increase corn and wheat processing capacity. He said these initiatives are designed to improve efficiency and expand the company’s operational footprint.
The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE) operates as a diversified business with two main segments: Agribusiness and Renewables. Its Agribusiness unit focuses on commodity merchandising, grain storage and handling, and the production and distribution of plant nutrients.
1. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY)
On February 5, Evercore ISI lowered its price recommendation on Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) to $51 from $53. The firm reiterated an Outperform rating on the stock. The revision followed updates to the firm’s EPS estimates after reviewing the company’s Q4 results.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Michael Rhodes said Ally completed a strategic refresh during the year and delivered solid performance. He said the company stayed focused on making careful, deliberate decisions and executing with discipline. Ally continues to prioritize areas where it has strong competitive advantages and clear opportunities to grow.
Rhodes reported adjusted EPS of $3.81, which increased 62% from the prior year. Core return on tangible common equity reached 10.4%, improving by more than 300 basis points. He also noted that retail net charge-offs remained below 2% at year-end, reflecting stable credit performance. He said the company remains disciplined on expenses and capital, with a target net interest margin in the upper 3% range. As part of its capital return plans, Ally also approved a new $2 billion open-ended share repurchase program.
Loan growth remained steady throughout the year. Retail Auto and Corporate Finance loans increased 5% in 2025. The company originated $43.7 billion in consumer loans, with an origination yield of 9.7%. Rhodes said 43% of those loans came from the highest credit quality tier, which helps support portfolio stability. He also pointed to record application volumes and said growth in SmartAuction and Passthrough programs contributed to higher fee income.
Rhodes added that insurance written premiums exceeded $1.5 billion for the year, showing continued strength in that segment. Ally also expanded its funding base, ending 2025 with $144 billion in retail deposits and about 3.5 million customers.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) operates as a diversified financial services company, with business segments that include Automotive Finance, Insurance, and Corporate Finance.
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