In this article, we will take a look at some of the best global dividend stocks to invest in.
Dividend stocks are back in focus, and not just in the US, but investors around the world are leaning into income again, and the data shows why. According to a report from Janus Henderson, global dividends reached a record $1.75 trillion in 2024. That represents 6.6% underlying growth, a solid result by any measure. Headline growth came in at 5.2%, held back mainly by fewer special dividends and a stronger US dollar.
The strength was broad rather than concentrated in a few markets. The report stated that 17 of the 49 countries tracked paid record dividends, including major contributors such as the US, Canada, France, Japan, and China. At the company level, the picture was just as encouraging. About 88% of firms worldwide either increased their payouts or held them steady during the year. For long-term investors, that kind of consistency tends to matter more than short-term spikes.
The UK tells a similar story, though with a slower recovery. Dividend growth stalled after 2022, but expectations are improving. AJ Bell data showed that analysts now believe 2026 could deliver a record £86 billion in FTSE 100 dividends. Forecasts for 2025 have also edged higher, with expected payouts of £80.7 billion, up from £79.4 billion just a few months ago.
Those numbers translate into attractive yields. The FTSE 100 is expected to offer a forward dividend yield of about 3.2% in 2025 and 3.4% in 2026. That is after a strong run for the index this year and still sits above the S&P 500’s dividend yield.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks globally.
Our Methodology:
For this article, we scanned the holdings of the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF, which tracks the performance of the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. From the ETF, we identified global dividend stocks traded on American exchanges, with dividend yields abover 3%, as of the close of December 27. From that list, we picked companies that were most popular among hedge funds, as per Insider Monkey’s database of Q3 2025, and ranked them accordingly.
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).
15. Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17
Dividend Yield as of December 27: 5.47%
Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On December 16, BMO Capital analyst Ben Pham lowered the firm’s price target on Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA) to C$58 from C$59 and kept an Outperform rating on the shares.
Pembina pays a quarterly dividend and offers an annualized yield of about 5.5%. That steady income stream still matters to investors who rely on cash returns. Its contract-based infrastructure model also helps. These assets tend to perform more consistently when markets feel unsettled.
In the third quarter of 2025, Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA) reported adjusted EBITDA of $1.03 billion. That represented a modest year-over-year increase. Higher contracted volumes helped, along with inflation-linked toll adjustments on key systems like the Peace Pipeline. Pipeline utilization improved as demand strengthened.
Facilities operations added to the results as well. Natural gas processing volumes rose, particularly in the Duvernay region. What stood out most was cash flow. Adjusted cash flow from operating activities reached $648 million in the quarter. That more than covered dividend payments. For investors focused on dividends, this kind of coverage matters. Especially at a time when dividend growth across the market is slowing or being put on hold.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA) operates one of the largest energy transportation and midstream networks in Canada. Its assets move crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids through pipelines, processing facilities, and export infrastructure.
14. NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Dividend Yield as of December 27: 3.67%
NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On December 4, Goldman Sachs downgraded NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) to Neutral from Buy. It lifted the price target to 685 GBp from 665 GBp. The change came as part of the firm’s 2026 outlook for European banks. Goldman said it remains constructive on the sector. Investor attention is moving away from rates and credit. Growth and efficiency are now taking center stage. Capital deployment still matters most for creating shareholder value.
NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG)’s shares tell their own story. The stock is up more than 77% since the start of 2025. The bank’s October 24 Q3 2025 results explain why. The company’s profit before tax jumped 30.4% year over year to £2.18 billion, and total income rose 15.7% to £4.33 billion. These are strong numbers by any measure.
There is a clear risk. Falling UK interest rates could pressure earnings; however, NatWest has been preparing for this for some time. Management shifted focus toward fee-based businesses rather than relying only on interest income. That decision is starting to show results. In Q3 2025, non-interest income climbed 25.9% to £0.91 billion. Net interest income grew 12.7% to £3.09 billion, a slower but still solid pace. Net interest income reflects the gap between what banks earn on loans and what they pay on deposits.
NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) has also leaned into structural hedges. These tools are complex but effective. They help protect lending margins when central banks cut rates. Many banks use similar hedges, but NatWest appears to have gone further. Its position extends into 2027, longer than most peers. That gives it more time to benefit from today’s rate environment. If this plays out as planned, the bank could deliver industry-leading margins. Returns on tangible equity may continue to improve.
NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) serves more than 20 million customers. Its operations span retail, commercial, and private banking across the UK.
13. Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Dividend Yield as of December 27: 3.66%
Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO) is among the best dividend stocks to invest in.
On December 5, TD Securities raised its price target on Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO) to C$184 from C$182 and kept a Hold rating on the shares.
Bank of Montreal reported higher fourth-quarter profit, driven largely by a rebound in dealmaking and stronger equity markets. Its capital markets unit benefited the most from this shift. Strong crude oil exports and increased government spending helped Canada avoid the worst effects of US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Those tariffs continue to weigh on sectors such as steel and aluminum, but the broader economy has shown resilience.
Loan growth remains under pressure as uncertainty tied to US trade policy lingers. That has pushed Canada’s largest banks, including BMO, to lean more heavily on fee-based businesses to support growth. Profit at Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO)’s capital markets unit more than doubled to C$521 million, up from C$251 million a year earlier. Higher revenue from global market activity, along with stronger investment and corporate banking results, drove the increase.
Provision for credit losses fell to C$755 million from C$1.52 billion last year. That decline points to improved confidence in credit quality.
Separately, Bloomberg reported that Steve Thom will retire as head of global credit trading at Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO), according to people familiar with the matter. Thom joined the bank five years ago as a managing director. BMO has been reshaping its capital markets division through a mix of new appointments and job cuts. The unit generated about C$2 billion in earnings on C$7.5 billion in revenue during fiscal 2025, based on figures from the bank’s annual report.
Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO) provides a broad range of personal and business banking services, including deposit accounts, lending products, credit cards, and other financial solutions.
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