In this article, we will take a look at the 15 Best Dividend Leaders to Buy Right Now.
According to a report by CNBC on March 13, dividend-paying companies are beginning to close the earnings growth gap with technology stocks. These companies are also contributing a larger share of earnings momentum within the S&P 500.
After a strong improvement over the past year in this key earnings metric, the trend suggests dividend stocks may offer a stronger case for investors looking for income and stability in a volatile market. This broadening of earnings momentum beyond the technology sector is taking place at a time when investors are trying to manage risk. The market is facing uncertainty linked to a second military conflict in the Middle East within a year, along with a shock to the oil markets that many view as unprecedented.
In the first quarter of 2025, the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index reported earnings growth of negative 5.5%. By the fourth quarter of last year, that growth rate had recovered to a positive 9%.Over the same period, the Nasdaq 100 Index saw its earnings growth slow. It declined from more than 35% in the second quarter of 2025 to below 15% by the fourth quarter.
Simeon Hyman, global investment strategist at ProShares, said during this week’s CNBC “ETF Edge” podcast that the shift away from the Mag 7 technology stocks had already started well before the war. He suggested that the trend deserves closer attention from investors during a period of market uncertainty.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend leaders to invest in.
Photo by lucas Favre on Unsplash
Our Methodology:
For this list, we scanned holdings of First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL), which tracks the performance of the 100 highest-yielding stocks with consistent growth in dividends and can maintain their dividends in the future. From this list, we further refined our selection criteria by picking stocks across a range of different industries. 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. Lazard, Inc. (NYSE:LAZ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28
On March 10, Lazard, Inc. (NYSE:LAZ) reported that its preliminary assets under management stood at about $277.7 billion as of February 28, 2026. The total included $8.9 billion in market appreciation during the month. Net inflows added another $4.2 billion. Currency movements had the opposite effect, with FX depreciation reducing AUM by $0.8 billion. The figure also reflected a $1.5 billion decline tied to the sale of the firm’s stake in the Edgewater Funds management vehicles.
Earlier in February, the company said it had sold its stake in the Edgewater Funds management vehicles. The move is part of Lazard’s broader effort to simplify its operations and bring its activities in line with its long-term growth strategy, Lazard 2030.
Lazard, Inc. (NYSE:LAZ) operates as a global financial advisory and asset management firm. The company has offices across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Lazard advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and capital solutions, restructuring and liability management, geopolitics, and other strategic matters.
14. Sonoco Products Company (NYSE:SON)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
On March 6, Sonoco Products Company (NYSE:SON) said it will implement a $70 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada. The change will apply to shipments beginning April 3, 2026.
Taylor Lane, Vice President and General Manager, Industrial Paper Packaging North America, said the decision reflects changes in the market. He made the following comment:
“The price change is necessitated by tightening market conditions, increased mill utilization rates, and inflationary input costs. We will continue to service our customers with the highest levels of quality and reliability that they are accustomed to when working with Sonoco.”
The company also plans to raise prices for all converted paperboard products by 8%. The increase will take effect for shipments on and after April 15, 2026. These products include paperboard tubes, cores, cones, partitions, protective packaging, and other specialty products.
Sonoco Products Company (NYSE:SON) is a global company focused on value-added, sustainable metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging. In 2025, the company reported net sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations. Sonoco employs about 22,000 people across 265 operations in 37 countries and serves many well-known brands around the world.
13. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
On March 11, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) reported that its assets under management at the end of February totaled $1.80 trillion. That was slightly higher than the $1.79 trillion reported at the end of the previous month. Net outflows for February came in at $5.3 billion. By asset class, equity strategies accounted for $868 billion in assets under management as of Feb. 28. Fixed income, including money market strategies, held $216 billion. Multi-asset strategies totaled $660 billion, while alternatives represented $59 billion in assets.
On March 12, the firm also announced the addition of the T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Equity Research ETF (TEMR). The new active exchange-traded fund expands the firm’s ETF lineup into the emerging markets category. The fund uses a research approach similar to other offerings in T. Rowe Price’s structured research suite. It relies on active stock selection based on the “best ideas” input from the firm’s equity research analysts. TEMR began trading on the NYSE Arca today.
The ETF is expected to hold between 180 and 280 securities. Its objective is long-term capital growth through a portfolio of emerging markets equities. The fully transparent ETF uses a structured portfolio construction approach and the proprietary fundamental research platform that underpins the Structured Research strategy. The same research method is used for the T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research ETF (TSPA) and the International Equity Research (TIER).
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) is a financial services holding company that provides global investment advisory services. The firm offers a range of investment solutions across equity, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternative strategies for clients that include individuals, advisors, institutions, and retirement plan sponsors.
12. Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37
On March 11, Barclays lowered its price recommendation on Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) to $44 from $45. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm said it revised targets across the life insurance group after reviewing cash flow and private credit exposures in an effort to separate “perceived from actual risk.”
During the company’s Q4 earnings call, management said several updates had been added to the outlook section of the investor supplement released that morning. The updates were meant to highlight the progress the company has made and to outline some of its medium-term objectives. The supplement presented these targets as potential ranges covering the next two years.
Executive VP and CFO Christopher Neczypor said the combined impact of these initiatives over the next two years is expected to support continued growth in capital generation and free cash flow. He noted that this improvement should eventually lead to higher dividends being paid by operating entities to the holding company. The company also expects the Group Protection segment to continue operating at margins of “8% or above.” At the same time, it plans to keep growing spread-based annuity account balances and further improve free cash flow conversion.
Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) is a holding company that operates several insurance and retirement businesses through its subsidiaries. Its segments include Annuities, Life Insurance, Group Protection, and Retirement Plan Services.
11. The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40
On March 9, Piper Sandler lowered its price recommendation on The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) to $28 from $34. It maintained a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm said the company is operating in a difficult environment. Retail volumes remain under pressure, which could push Campbell’s to adjust pricing, similar to moves made by its peers, or increase spending on its brands. Piper also noted that the weakness in the stock may already reflect some of these concerns. The firm expects the quarter to come in roughly in line with its estimates and the broader consensus. It projects earnings of 57c per share and revenue of about $2.6 billion.
On March 13, the company announced the appointment of Joshua Levine as Chief Investor Relations Officer, effective March 18, 2026. Levine will report to Chief Financial Officer Todd Cunfer. In this role, Levine will lead the company’s Investor Relations function. His responsibilities will include managing engagement with the investment community and supporting transparent, consistent communication with shareholders. He succeeds Rebecca Gardy, who is retiring after six years leading the company’s investor relations efforts.
The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) , formerly Campbell Soup Company, provides affordable food and beverages. The business is organized around two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. The company’s portfolio includes approximately 16 brands.
10. FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41
On March 5, BofA analyst Ross Fowler raised the firm’s price recommendation on FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) to $52 from $49. The firm reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The analyst cited a higher peer-group valuation multiple as the reason for the revised target.
During the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Brian Tierney described 2025 as a transformative year for the business. He said the company executed its strategic plan, achieved several key milestones, and positioned FirstEnergy for long-term growth during what he called one of the most dynamic periods in the utility industry.
Tierney highlighted the company’s newly announced $36B five-year capital investment program. The initiative is aimed at strengthening grid reliability and improving resiliency for customers. He said the plan is expected to support a core earnings per share compounded annual growth rate near the upper end of the company’s 6% to 8% target range between 2026 and 2030.
Discussing financial performance, Tierney said the company reported 2025 GAAP earnings of $1.77 per share, compared with $1.70 per share in 2024. Core earnings reached $2.55 per share, which came in at the top end of the company’s revised and increased guidance range for the year and represented a 7.6% increase from 2024.
He also noted that the company invested about $5.6B in customer-focused capital projects during 2025. According to Tierney, that figure marked a 25% increase from the prior year and came in roughly 12% above the company’s original investment plan. Tierney added that total transmission investments rose about 35% compared with the previous plan, bringing the allocation for that segment to $19B. He said the broader investment program is expected to support around 10% rate base growth across the company through 2030.
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) and its subsidiaries operate in the transmission, distribution, and generation of electricity through three segments: Distribution, Integrated, and Stand-Alone Transmission.
9. Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43
On March 11, Barclays lowered its price recommendation on Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) to $119 from $124. It kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm said it adjusted targets across the life insurance group after reviewing cash flow and private credit exposures to distinguish “perceived from actual risk.”
During the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Andrew Sullivan addressed issues involving employee misconduct within the Japan business. He said acting in the best interests of customers remains a core value for the company and noted that Prudential Financial is treating the situation with the utmost seriousness.
Sullivan said the company decided to voluntarily pause new sales at Prudential of Japan for 90 days. The decision was made in coordination with Japanese regulators and is meant to give the company time to address the root causes behind the misconduct. He said the company is implementing several corrective measures, including “strengthening oversight of sales practices, governance and risk management.”
Prudential is also restructuring compensation structures and strengthening its training and recruitment standards. Sullivan added that the company will not resume distribution through the Life Planner channel until it is confident that its compliance and oversight framework is strong enough to support it. He also noted that the review could result in the suspension extending beyond the initial 90-day period.
Management expects the temporary pause in sales in Japan to reduce 2026 pretax adjusted operating income by about $300M to $350M. That amount represents roughly 5% of the company’s 2025 earnings. The company also plans to introduce a customer reimbursement program as part of its response to the issue.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) is a financial services provider and global investment manager. The company offers a range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related products and services, mutual funds, and investment management.
8. Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:JHG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
On March 6, Evercore ISI raised its price recommendation on Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:JHG) to $53 from $49. The firm reiterated an In Line rating on the shares. Evercore said it adjusted targets across the group after taking an “early look” at February and Q1 traditional asset manager flows.
On March 11, Reuters reported that Janus Henderson said its board had determined that Victory Capital’s proposal to acquire the asset manager was not superior to the take-private transaction with Nelson Peltz’s Trian and General Catalyst. Victory had made its $8.6 billion offer for Janus public last month. The bid increased pressure on the company, which had already agreed to a $7.4 billion buyout by Trian and General Catalyst. Janus said Victory’s latest proposal was not actionable because it presented “significant closing risk and uncertain value.”
The company also pointed to several concerns, including uncertainty around securing the required 75% client consent threshold needed to complete the proposed Victory deal. Janus Henderson Group CEO Ali Dibadj wrote in a memo that several key clients had indicated they would have serious reservations about maintaining relationships with the firm if it moved forward with a deal involving Victory Capital. Victory Capital responded by saying Janus had not meaningfully engaged with its proposal. The firm argued that the concerns raised by Janus’ special committee could be addressed through more detailed discussions.
Janus also said Victory’s projected synergies suggested aggressive cost reductions that could disrupt systems, lead to departures among investment staff, and weaken compliance functions. Bill Katz of TD Cowen said another bidder was unlikely to appear, noting that any competing proposal would likely require similar cost savings.
The company added that Trian Fund Management, which holds 20.7% of its shares, plans to oppose the Victory proposal. Janus also said Victory had not offered to cover the $297M termination fee associated with the separate deal involving General Catalyst. The board reiterated its recommendation that shareholders approve the Trian-led transaction at the April meeting.
Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:JHG) is a UK-based independent global asset manager that focuses on active investment across several asset classes. The company manages a wide range of investment products for institutional and retail investors across four main capabilities: equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternatives.
7. The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
On March 11, Bernstein upgraded The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) to Outperform from Market Perform. It also raised its price target on the stock to $145 from $121. The firm pointed to continued deflation in green coffee costs and the arrival of activist Elliott Management as reasons for the upgrade. The analyst said Elliott could push for portfolio changes and productivity improvements at Smucker. Bernstein also noted that green coffee prices have dropped sharply, falling from record levels above $4 per pound in 2025 to below $3.
During the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, Mark Smucker said the company had recently begun engaging with Elliott Investment Management and described the discussions as constructive. He said the two sides had already held several meetings and suggested that Elliott appeared to recognize what many investors already see in The J.M. Smucker Company, a business built on strong brands and solid fundamentals.
Smucker said the conversations reflected alignment on several priorities. These include improving operations, restoring profitability, driving organic growth, maintaining disciplined capital allocation, and continuing to evolve the board. He pointed to the recent appointments of Bruce Chung and David Singer as examples of that board refreshment.
The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) manufactures and markets branded food and beverage products worldwide. Its portfolio includes a range of brands that are sold primarily through retail outlets across North America.
6. Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
On March 9, Texas Capital downgraded Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA) to Hold from Buy. It also reduced its price target on the stock to $31 from $34. The firm cited its agreement to merge with Devon Energy (DVN) in an all-stock transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter.
The company reported its earnings on February 26. Reuters said Coterra missed Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter profit, as weaker crude prices weighed on results. The company also warned that its first-quarter output would be affected by a winter storm in the United States. Global crude prices have faced pressure amid concerns about oversupply, with Venezuela expected to add more barrels to the market. Coterra said the average price of oil during the quarter was $58.16 per barrel, down from $68.57 per barrel a year earlier.
Production during the quarter reached 813,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day, compared with 681,500 boepd in the same period last year. The company also forecast total production for 2026 in the range of 750,000 to 810,000 boepd, including the impact of the winter storm in the first quarter. Earlier this month, Coterra Energy and rival Devon announced a $58 billion merger. The companies said the deal is intended to increase scale and improve cost efficiency amid weakening oil prices. The merger is expected to close in the second quarter, and the companies are targeting $1 billion in annual pre-tax savings by 2027.
Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA) is an exploration and production company based in Houston, Texas. Its operations are concentrated in the Permian Basin, Marcellus Shale, and Anadarko Basin, and the company focuses on the development and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the continental United States.
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