In this article, we will take a look at the 15 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income. 

Equity income is getting harder to find. The Morningstar US Market Index had a dividend yield of under 1.2% in the first quarter of 2026. By historical standards, that is quite low. Yields are slightly better outside the US, but not by much. The Morningstar Global Markets ex-US Index offered a 2.6% yield, which still feels limited for income-focused investors.

There are a few reasons behind this. Stock prices have risen sharply in recent years, while dividend payments have not kept pace. In the US, especially, companies have leaned more toward share buybacks instead of increasing cash payouts. At the same time, more capital is being directed toward artificial intelligence investments. That shift has changed how companies prioritize their spending.

There has also been a rebound in sectors like industrials, energy, and consumer defensives. That has supported total returns, though it has had the side effect of keeping yields lower. Outside the U.S., dividend-paying stocks have outperformed the broader market for some time. A report from Morningstar noted that around 1,500 companies globally are under analyst coverage and assigned moat ratings.

Companies with wide moats tend to sustain profitability more consistently than those with narrow moats, and both generally hold up better than companies with no moat. The same pattern shows up in dividends. Firms with wide moats have historically cut dividends less often, while companies without moats tend to reduce payouts more frequently.

Given this, we will take a look at some of the best stocks with steady income.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we screened for strong dividend companies that have raised their dividends for at least 10 consecutive years and have yields above 0.5%, as of March 19. 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).

15. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 0.75%

On March 19, RBC Capital said the overall tolerability and A1C reductions for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)’s retatrutide in the TRANSCEND-T2D-1 study came in worse than Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes patients. At the same time, weight loss and discontinuation rates leaned in favor of retatrutide.

The analyst described the drug as a “viable option” for patients where weight reduction is the main treatment goal. In practice, that trade-off matters. Some patients prioritize weight loss over strict A1C improvement, and this data speaks directly to that group. RBC sees retatrutide as a “key pillar” in Lilly’s growth and margin expansion story. It expects the drug to carry a premium price, given its likely use in more severe cases. The firm models a launch in 2027. It projects 2030 sales at $4.9B, which sits below the consensus estimate of $5.4 billion. RBC maintains an Outperform rating on the stock, with a $1,250 price target.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) develops, manufactures, discovers, and sells pharmaceutical products. These products span oncology, diabetes, immunology, neuroscience, and other therapies.

14. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 0.91%

On March 17, BMO Capital analyst Jeffrey Silber raised the price recommendation on S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) to $495 from $482. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. He pointed to stronger issuance trends. February billed issuance rose 22% year over year, a sharp step up from January’s 3% y/y increase, as noted in the research report. That shift stands out. A move from low single-digit growth to over 20% in a month suggests momentum is building.

On March 18, S&P Global announced the completion of its acquisition of Enertel AI Corporation. The firm focuses on AI and machine learning-driven short-term power price forecasting across North American electricity markets. These capabilities will be integrated into S&P Global’s Energy division. The business already provides long-term power market intelligence, including benchmarks, historical pricing, and strategic forecasts.

With Enertel AI Corporation now part of the platform, the offering expands into real-time insights. It adds AI-powered nodal price forecasts and decision tools used by physical power traders, utilities, and asset operators managing an increasingly complex grid. The result is a more complete view of the power market, covering both long-term outlooks and next-day pricing signals.

S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) provides essential intelligence through five segments: Market Intelligence, Ratings, Commodity Insights, Mobility, and Indices.

13. The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 1.04%

On March 19, RBC Capital lowered its price recommendation on The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) to $376 from $390. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. The analyst said the company’s markets still look choppy. If the Iran conflict stretches beyond 8 to 12 weeks, there could be some pressure on Q2 margins, according to the research note. RBC also noted that the company’s approach to capital allocation has not changed. It continues to prioritize buybacks.

In a CNBC report published on March 2, Sean Russo of Ritholtz Wealth Management pointed to several chemical stocks as the US-Iran conflict unsettled global markets and included Sherwin-Williams in that group. He said that it is the largest paint and coatings manufacturer in the world, and it’s still growing. In Q4 FY2025, consolidated sales rose 5.6% year over year to $5.60 billion. Full-year sales reached a record $23.57 billion.

Adjusted diluted EPS increased 6.7% in Q4 to $2.23, while full-year adjusted EPS edged up 0.9% to $11.43. The company raised its dividend for the 47th straight year and now pays a 1% yield. For 2026, Sherwin-Williams expects sales growth in the low to mid-single-digit range. It also guided for adjusted EPS of $11.50 to $11.90 and plans to open 80 to 100 net new stores during the year.

The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) manufactures, develops, and sells paint, coatings, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. Its operations span North and South America, along with the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

12. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 1.15%

On March 19, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) is getting close to a deal to acquire data-center cooling firm CoolIT Systems from KKR for between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Those same sources said an announcement could come as soon as next week, though they cautioned that nothing has been finalized yet.

The potential price stands out. It is a significant jump from the roughly $270 million valuation when KKR took a majority stake in 2023. Mubadala Investment Company still holds a minority stake in the business. CoolIT builds liquid-cooling systems used in data centers. The company started out making cooling solutions for gaming computers, then gradually shifted toward supporting artificial intelligence infrastructure. That shift mirrors what many hardware-focused firms have done as AI demand picked up.

Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) focuses on chemical solutions for water treatment, hygiene, and infection prevention. The company provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services aimed at protecting people and the resources essential to life.

11. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 1.68%

On March 19, RBC Capital raised its price recommendation on Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) to $214 from $206. It reiterated an Outperform rating after the company reported a Q4 earnings beat. The analyst pointed to steady market share gains and solid cost control. Those two tend to show up together when execution is working, and that seems to be the case here. RBC also said the initial 2026 guidance looks realistic. It expects consensus estimates to edge a bit higher following the results.

On the same day, TD Cowen analyst Max Rakhlenko lowered the firm’s price objective on WSM to $225 from $250 and maintained a Buy rating. The firm said they remain constructive on the setup, even with several moving pieces in play. It highlighted the company’s ability to grow market share while dealing with tariff pressures, despite some swings in margins.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) operates as an omnichannel retailer focused on home products, with a portfolio built around distinct merchandising strategies.

10. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 2.18%

On March 19, Barclays raised its price recommendation on Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) to $234 from $217. It kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm said its analysis confirms the company’s “strong” 23% US pharma growth excluding Stelara in Q4 is carrying into Q1. Growth is coming from both established products and newer franchises in the US. Barclays increased its estimates following that trend.

On March 12, the company announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of TECNIS PureSee IOL, an extended depth of focus intraocular lens designed for cataract surgery. The company said the lens delivers clear vision, with 97% of patients reporting no very bothersome visual disturbances. TECNIS PureSee IOL is expected to become available in the U.S. later this year.

The product adds to Johnson & Johnson’s surgical vision portfolio, which builds on 25 years of intraocular lens innovation. Each year, millions of patients globally receive TECNIS lenses as part of cataract procedures.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) operates across a wide range of healthcare products through two segments: Innovative Medicine and MedTech.

9. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 2.60%

On March 17, Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar raised the price recommendation on Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) to $162 from $140. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm increased its 2026 oil price outlook by 14% to $73.25 as the Iran conflict moved into its third week. The analyst said it is still too early to determine whether the situation will change the long-term structure of global oil prices, though the bias appears to be higher. Mizuho remains constructive on the oil and gas sector. It also noted that natural gas fundamentals are still supportive, even as it lowered its fiscal 2026 price outlook by 6%.

On March 19, Reuters reported that a new floating production facility for a consortium led by Exxon Mobil in Guyana is nearly complete and expected to leave Singapore soon, according to a company executive. The project is part of a broader push to accelerate development in a region that has become central to Exxon’s growth. Guyana has already allowed Exxon to lift output capacity to more than 900,000 barrels per day, despite only starting crude production in 2019. That pace has moved the country into the ranks of South America’s larger oil producers.

The floating production, storage, and offloading platform, Errea Wittu, is being built by MODEC. It will be the fifth such vessel installed by the Exxon-led group in Guyana and is designed to produce up to 250,000 barrels per day from the Uaru offshore project. Once the project starts, it could push Guyana’s output past neighboring Venezuela. Exxon expects total capacity from its planned developments in the country to reach around 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) operates across the exploration, development, and distribution of oil, gas, and petroleum products. Its business is organized into Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products.

8. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 2.70%

On March 19, BMO Capital lowered its price recommendation on International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) to $290 from $350. It reiterated a Market Perform rating on the shares. The firm said it does not see enough upside to turn more constructive at this point. It still views IBM’s broad product portfolio, AI positioning, and quantum efforts as factors that help reduce volatility. BMO also noted that the lower price target reflects compression in Software and IT Services multiples.

On March 16, IBM announced at GTC 2026 an expanded collaboration with NVIDIA Corporation aimed at helping enterprises scale AI. The partnership focuses on GPU-native data analytics, intelligent document processing, on-premises and regulated infrastructure, cloud, and consulting. The goal is to give companies the tools and support needed to move AI from pilot programs into full production. Many enterprises are investing heavily in AI, yet progress often stalls before reaching scale. Data can be fragmented and hard to access. Infrastructure is not always built for advanced AI workloads.

There are also compliance and data residency requirements, especially in regulated industries. In some cases, companies still need guidance on how to deploy these systems effectively. IBM and NVIDIA are positioning this collaboration to address those gaps.

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) provides hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, and consulting services. Its operations are organized into Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments.

7. PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 2.93%

On March 19, RBC Capital lowered its price recommendation on PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) to $114 from $115. It kept a Sector Perform rating after meeting with the company’s Investor Relations team. The firm said demand across industrial end markets remains uneven. It also flagged potential headwinds if the Iran conflict extends into Q2, according to the research note.

On March 2, PPG announced a collaboration with IPG Photonics Corporation and Whirlpool Corporation to advance the commercialization of laser curing systems for powder coatings. The effort is focused on lowering curing costs and reducing environmental impact, while also improving finishing line speed.

Laser curing works differently from traditional thermal methods. It uses infrared light to trigger crosslinking, the reaction that turns powder into a durable coating. The process works with standard powder chemistries as well as those designed for laser curing. It also takes minutes instead of the longer cycles required in thermal systems. That shorter cycle can translate into lower energy use and higher throughput in production settings.

PPG has been expanding its powder coatings business in recent years. It now operates 21 powder manufacturing plants, along with seven bonding facilities, a powder resin plant, a research and development center, and a Global Center of Excellence.

PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty products through its Global Architectural Coatings, Performance Coatings, and Industrial Coatings segments.

6. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)

Dividend Yield as of March 19: 3.21%

On March 19, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) introduced new capabilities for its Adaptive Managed Extended Detection and Response platform, aimed at strengthening Microsoft Security environments. The company is working alongside Microsoft Corporation and the joint venture Avanade to deliver more advanced cybersecurity tools. The focus is on agentic AI-driven solutions and improved data analytics that help organizations respond to threats faster and manage security operations more effectively.

Accenture’s latest State of Cybersecurity Resilience research shows that 74% of CEOs are concerned about their organization’s ability to minimize cyberattacks. That concern reflects a broader shift. Many companies are investing in security, yet still struggle to keep up with the pace and complexity of threats. Tools that can act with more autonomy are starting to fill that gap.

Accenture’s MxDR for Microsoft brings together several capabilities designed to improve threat detection and response, with agentic AI at the center. One part of the platform focuses on unifying security data across systems like Microsoft Sentinel, Defender for Endpoint, Threat Intelligence, and Identity. This creates a single, consolidated view of threats. With the Sentinel data lake and AI analytics in place, teams can detect and respond more quickly while reducing data silos.

The platform also uses MxDR AI agents to enhance visibility. These agents work with Microsoft Security AI to identify gaps, reduce blind spots, and filter out excess alerts. That allows security teams to focus on the risks that matter most. Accenture’s Content Library and Factory adds another layer, offering pre-built tools such as detection models, response workflows, dashboards, and AI agents. These are designed for easier deployment and to address both current and emerging threats.

Steve Dispensa said the expanded partnership combines Accenture’s security expertise with Microsoft’s AI-powered platform, helping organizations simplify operations, strengthen defenses, and scale resilience more effectively.

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) provides services across strategy and consulting, technology, operations, Industry X, and Song.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income. 

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.