14 Under-the-Radar High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

In this article, we will take a look at the 14 Under-the-Radar High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.

On March 13, CNBC reported that a long history of dividend increases usually reflects steady cash flow and disciplined management. It has not always kept pace with the faster profit growth seen in the technology sector. That gap has started to narrow. Strong operating performance and improving margins have lifted profits for many dividend-paying companies outside of tech. As earnings rise, these companies are continuing to increase dividends while also strengthening their balance sheets.

At the same time, expectations for technology stocks remain high after several years of gains. Many of these companies are also spending heavily on AI buildouts, which is putting pressure on cash flow and balance sheets. Dividend-paying companies outside the tech sector often trade at more moderate valuations. As their earnings improve, they are increasingly being viewed as offering a mix of stability and growth.

Simeon Hyman, global investment strategist at ProShares, said the current environment does not call for stepping away from the market. He suggested making selective adjustments and focusing on higher-quality companies, especially those with a track record of growing dividends. He also pointed to past Gulf wars, noting that markets declined early in those periods but later recovered over the following 6 to 12 months, with gains reaching as much as 25% to 30%. He said this pattern of recovery has been consistent.

Hyman added that dividend stocks have delivered steady outperformance over time and are now playing a larger role in supporting the market. As earnings growth in mega-cap tech begins to slow, dividend-paying companies are helping stabilize overall S&P 500 fundamentals, which he sees as a sign of a softer landing.

Given this, we will take a look at some of the best under-the-radar stocks that pay dividends.

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Our Methodology

For this list, we screened for lesser-known dividend companies that have strong and stable dividend policies and have paid regular dividends to shareholders over the years. From that list, we identified stocks with dividend yields above 5% as of March 18. We then 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).

14. Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (NYSE:REXR)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 5.03%

On March 2, Scotiabank lowered its price recommendation on Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (NYSE:REXR) to $39 from $44. It reiterated a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The analyst said the firm is updating its price targets across U.S. Real Estate & REIT stocks following Q4 results. It also noted that REITs should be raising target development yields to better support near-term funds from operations per share. At the same time, Scotiabank pointed out that external growth through acquisitions offers a “better thematic story.”

On February 26, the company announced that John Nahas, currently Managing Director of Operations, will be promoted to Chief Operating Officer, effective April 1, 2026. This move comes alongside Laura Clark’s previously announced appointment as Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Nahas will continue to oversee operations and investment functions. This includes asset management, development and construction, leasing, and property management.

The company also reaffirmed its previously disclosed 2026 general and administrative expense guidance of about $60 million. It added that total executive compensation has been reduced by roughly 50% compared to prior levels.

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (NYSE:REXR) operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust. The company focuses on owning, operating, and acquiring industrial properties in Southern California infill markets.

13. Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 5.36%

On March 18, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) announced it is partnering with Deliverect to roll out its Smart Dispatch & Delivery Management platform across all US restaurants by the end of 2027. The idea is to upgrade how orders are handled over the next few years. Instead of juggling different systems, everything runs through one platform. Orders from any channel, whether handled by in-house drivers or third-party partners, flow into the same system. It ties together ordering, point-of-sale, and delivery into a single setup.

Kevin Vasconi, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Papa John’s, made the following comment:

“As we continue to prioritize our technology evolution to deliver a better experience for our customers and our in-store team members, one key area of improvement is to optimize and simplify our delivery process. Partnering with Deliverect allows us to do exactly that.”

With everything in one place, the company can track each order from start to finish. That visibility should make deliveries more reliable, help operations run smoother, and keep the customer experience consistent across locations.

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants. In some international markets, it also runs dine-in and delivery locations under the Papa John’s name. The company operates through four segments.

12. National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 5.90%

On March 17, Mizuho raised its price recommendation on National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA) to $41 from $32. It kept a Neutral rating on the shares.

That same day, Evercore ISI upgraded National Storage to In Line from Underperform and set a $41 price target. The move followed Public Storage’s announcement of an all-stock deal for its smaller rival. After updating its Public Storage model, the firm said its FY26 core FFO per share estimate now stands at $16.91, slightly up from $16.88. Its price target remains $311, and it kept an In Line rating. The firm noted that closing and integrating the deal will take time, and the benefits from scale will likely come later.

On March 16, Reuters reported that Public Storage agreed to acquire National Storage Affiliates in an all-stock deal valued at about $10.5 billion, including debt. The deal marks an expansion into high-growth regions across the U.S.Under the terms, National Storage shareholders will receive 0.14 shares of Public Storage common stock for each share they hold. This values the deal at about $41.68 per share.

Public Storage expects the transaction to strengthen its presence in Sun Belt markets and generate $110 million to $130 million in annual synergies. It also expects the deal to support FFO per share after closing. The deal has been approved by both boards and is expected to close in Q3 2026. Ahead of that, a $3.3 billion joint venture will be formed, with National Storage partners owning 80% and Public Storage managing the portfolio. Public Storage also plans to repay debt and fund the transaction with $4 billion in financing. National Storage owns more than 1,000 properties across 37 states and Puerto Rico.

National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA) is a self-administered and self-managed REIT focused on owning, operating, and acquiring self-storage properties across metropolitan areas in the United States.

11. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 5.94%

On March 17, Scotiabank raised its price recommendation on Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) to $39 from $37. It reiterated a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The firm said it is updating its price targets across U.S. midstream stocks under its coverage, driven by slight increases in target multiples.

During the Q4 2025 earnings call, Co-CEO A. Teague pointed to record EBITDA of $2.7 billion for the quarter, ahead of the prior high of $2.6 billion in Q4 2024. He said several assets brought online in 2025 supported performance. He noted that while these assets performed well, they mostly offset weakness in commodity-sensitive businesses and tighter marketing spreads.

Teague also said lower crude prices weighed on results, with oil averaging about $12 per barrel less than in 2024. That reduced pricing spreads compared to the previous three years. He added that the company’s ethane export terminals and all 20 planned Permian processing trains are fully contracted. LPG exports are also largely committed through the end of the decade, with continued demand for additional long-term agreements.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products, and petrochemicals.

10. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 6.06%

On February 27, Keefe Bruyette cut its price recommendation on Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) to $65 from $80. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares.

A couple of weeks later, on March 10, the company held its Investor Day and introduced “Journey to ’30.” It laid out a five-year plan that maps where the business wants to go and how it plans to get there by 2030. The targets are straightforward. Walker & Dunlop is aiming for adjusted EBITDA of $400 million to $500 million by 2030. For comparison, it reported $262.6 million in 2025, so there is a clear step-up built into the plan.

It also expects diluted EPS to land between $8.00 and $10.00, with revenue moving past $2B. In 2025, revenue stood at $1.2 billion. The company is also thinking in terms of scale. It is targeting $115 billion in transaction volumes over the period.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) operates in commercial real estate finance and advisory. Its work spans multifamily lending, property sales, debt brokerage, and investment management. The business runs through three segments: Capital Markets, Servicing & Asset Management, and Corporate.

9. Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 6.20%

On March 18, BofA lowered its price recommendation on Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) to $171 from $212. It kept a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst said higher oil prices are weighing on Latin American airlines and adjusted estimates and targets for both Copa and Volaris.

A day earlier, on March 17, Citi also cut its price target on Copa to $140 from $155 while maintaining a Buy rating. At the same time, it placed the stock on an “upside 90-day catalyst watch.” The firm noted that Copa is in a better position to manage higher fuel costs compared to 2022. Based on that, it expects the stock to recover.

On March 16, the company released its preliminary passenger traffic data for February 2026. Capacity, measured in ASMs, increased by 15.6%, while system-wide passenger traffic, or RPMs, rose by 16.2% compared to the same period last year. This led to a system load factor of 87.1% for the month, up 0.4 percentage points from February 2025.

Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) provides airline passenger and cargo services through its main subsidiaries, Compania Panamena de Aviacion, S. A. (Copa Airlines) and AeroRepublica, S. A. (Copa Colombia). The company operates through a single air transportation segment.

8. Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 6.52%

On March 6, B. Riley analyst Liam Burke raised the price recommendation on Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) to $48 from $42. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst said the company remains in a favorable position over the long term. With most of its fleet below 10,000 TEU, it has benefited from longer shipping routes and a tighter supply of vessels.

During the Q4 2025 earnings call, Executive Chairman George Youroukos said the company ended the year with strong operational and financial momentum. He pointed to steady demand and limited supply of mid-size and smaller containerships as key drivers. He also noted that the company’s focus on flexibility helped it manage ongoing volatility tied to tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and shifting trade patterns.

Youroukos highlighted the conflict around Iran as a new source of uncertainty, especially due to risks linked to the Strait of Hormuz. He said seafarer safety remains the top priority. At the same time, he pointed out that more fragmented supply chains and a 5% increase in container volumes in 2025 supported demand for flexible and efficient vessels like those in the company’s fleet. He said the company finished the year with 2.7 years of contract coverage and $2.2B in contracted revenue. About 99% of the 2026 capacity and 80% of the 2027 capacity are already secured.

He also mentioned the acquisition of three 8,600 TEU ECO-upgraded vessels, describing them as attractively priced with solid upside potential. Youroukos added that 2025 marked the end of a five-year transformation, with improvements in cash flow, earnings, leverage, credit profile, and shareholder returns. He said the company is now in a strong position to keep building value.

Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) owns and operates a fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. It focuses on Post-Panamax and smaller vessels that typically serve non-Mainlane and regional trade routes.

7. Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLPI)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 6.64%

On March 13, Barclays analyst Richard Hightower lowered the price recommendation on Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLPI) to $52 from $53. It maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said it updated its models across the net lease REIT space.

During the Q4 2025 earnings call, President, COO, and Secretary Brandon Moore said the company is working with a strong pipeline. Around $2.6 billion in future capital commitments is expected to be deployed over the next two years. He also noted that the balance sheet remains in good shape, which gives the company flexibility to grow without raising additional capital.

Moore pointed to recent deals to show how that capital is being put to work. The company completed the acquisition of Bally’s Lincoln for $700 million at an 8% cap rate. It also closed on the real estate tied to Cordish Live! Virginia, adding another $440 million commitment. He added that funding for Bally’s Chicago is still underway. About $740 million remains to be invested as of year-end, and the project is on track to open in the first half of 2027.

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLPI) is a self-administered and self-managed REIT based in Pennsylvania. Its portfolio includes about 69 gaming and related properties across 20 states.

6. The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC)

Dividend Yield as of March 18: 7.25%

On March 18, Reuters reported that Unilever and The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) had recently held talks about a possible merger of parts of their food businesses, according to the Financial Times. The discussions came as both companies deal with softer demand for packaged foods amid economic uncertainty. The talks focused on combining Unilever’s food division with Kraft Heinz’s condiments business. They have since ended, the FT said, citing people familiar with the matter. If completed, the deal could have created a new company worth tens of billions of dollars, bringing brands like Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Heinz ketchup together.

Separately, Bloomberg reported that Unilever is now considering a broader separation of its food assets. Its shares closed 3.5% lower on March 18, as investors worried the company could get “distracted” by a potential spinoff. Both Unilever and Kraft Heinz declined to comment to Reuters. Kraft Heinz had already paused plans in February to split the company. CEO Steve Cahillane said the move was necessary given weakening conditions in the food industry.

The FT noted that the talks with Unilever took place before Kraft Heinz dropped its breakup plans and instead committed $600 million toward a turnaround effort under Cahillane, who became CEO in January. The earlier proposal would have separated slower-growth grocery brands, including Oscar Mayer and Lunchables, from its sauces and spreads business, which includes Heinz ketchup and Philadelphia cheese.

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) produces and markets food and beverage products globally through eight consumer-focused platforms: Taste Elevation, Easy Ready Meals, Substantial Snacking, Desserts, Hydration, Cheese, Coffee, and Meats. The company reports its operations across two geographic segments: North America and International Developed Markets.

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