14 Best Mid Cap Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now

3. Bank OZK (NASDAQ:OZK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth: 15

On January 7, TD Cowen lowered its price target on Bank OZK (NASDAQ:OZK) to $56 from $61, while keeping a Buy rating on the stock. The change came as part of the firm’s broader Q4 earnings preview for the banking sector. TD expects “solid” Q4 results across the group, supported by ongoing balance sheet growth, repricing tailwinds, and what it sees as a “likely more dovish” Federal Reserve chair in 2026. The analyst said these “durable tailwinds” could help lift bank stocks through 2026.

That same day, Morgan Stanley analyst Manan Gosalia also reduced the firm’s price target on Bank OZK to $59 from $63, while maintaining an Equal Weight rating. Morgan Stanley pointed to renewed investor attention on the bank’s exposure to life sciences lending. While the firm does not expect any immediate shift, since OZK has previously said sponsors are still supporting their properties, the analyst noted that any negative credit developments could weigh on the stock around earnings day.

Bank OZK (NASDAQ:OZK) is a regional bank that offers a broad range of financial products and services.