In this article, we will take a look at some of the best stocks with the highest dividends.
Dividend stocks have stayed popular with investors because of their steady yield and growth potential. However, extremely high dividend yields, while eye-catching, are often viewed with caution by analysts and experienced investors. Very high yields can signal underlying problems, making such stocks risky to invest in.
Investors focused on income generally aim to maximize yield today. But in a period of persistent inflation, preserving purchasing power becomes equally important. Analysts note that dividend yield by itself is not enough. Yield is most effective when paired with consistent dividend growth. According to Nuveen, dividend-paying stocks that combine a solid yield with reliable growth tend to signal quality, as they manage to balance current payouts with reinvestment for future expansion.
Nuveen also pointed out that companies paying out nearly all their earnings as dividends, or just enough to cover them, may face risks from competitive pressures, since their cash flow might be insufficient to support ongoing operations. Stocks with very high dividend yields or high payout ratios may experience slow growth, which can threaten both share price appreciation and future dividend increases.
Historically, companies with the highest payout ratios have not delivered the best long-term returns. Over the past 20 years, dividend-paying stocks with medium to medium-high payout ratios have tended to outperform their high-payout peers, as reported by Nuveen.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best stocks with the highest yields.
Our Methodology
To create this list, we screened companies with the highest dividend yields as of November 16. The companies included have above-average dividend yields, which means their dividend histories have experienced some instability due to various macroeconomic and company-specific factors. Despite these fluctuations, they remain among the more stable performers within the high-yield segment. The stocks are ranked according to their dividend yields.
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. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA)
Dividend Yield as of November 16: 8.97%
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) is among the best stocks with the highest dividends.
On November 13, Scotiabank cut its price target on Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) to $19 from $20 while maintaining an Outperform rating, according to a report by The Fly. The analyst noted that the firm is updating price targets across its U.S. Midstream coverage. Q3 results showed how diversification and scale can act as a natural hedge, since companies with multiple business lines, multi-basin operations, or dominant footprints in key regions managed to soften the impact of macro uncertainty and volatile or declining commodity prices.
In the third quarter of 2025, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) reported revenue of $11.58 billion, down more than 9% from a year earlier. Net income attributable to PAA came in at $441 million, and operating cash flow totaled $817 million.
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) is actively reshaping its portfolio. On October 31, the company closed its acquisition of a 55% stake in EPIC Crude Holdings, the owner and operator of the EPIC Crude Oil Pipeline, from Diamondback Energy and Kinetik Holdings. At the same time, Plains is selling its Canadian natural gas liquids assets to reduce exposure to commodity-price swings and strengthen cash-flow stability. Management plans to redeploy that capital into projects that generate more reliable earnings, supporting long-term distribution growth.
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) is a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream infrastructure and provides logistics services for crude oil and natural gas liquids.
14. SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL)
Dividend Yield as of November 16: 9.75%
SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL) is among the best stocks with the highest yields.
BTIG raised its price target on SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL) to $11 from $10 on November 11 and reiterated a Buy rating, according to a report by The Fly. The firm pointed out that SFL shares moved higher after the company posted Q3 results, with adjusted EBITDA coming in at $113 million, about 19% above the $95 million consensus estimate. SFL kept its $0.20 quarterly dividend, which amounts to a 41% payout of operating cash flow and implies an annualized yield of roughly 10%.
Although the company did not repurchase any shares during the quarter, BTIG noted that SFL still has $80 million left under its buyback authorization, which runs through Q2 2026. The firm added that the company continues to invest in its fleet, though re-deliveries and a soft drilling market are pressuring near-term operating cash flow.
In Q3 2025, SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL) reported revenue of $178.2 million, with about 86% coming from shipping charter hire and 14% from energy. Revenue declined more than 30% from the prior year but still beat expectations by $4.6 million. The company reported net income of $8.6 million, or $0.07 per share. As of September 30, 2025, SFL held $278 million in cash and cash equivalents and had another $44 million available under undrawn credit facilities.
SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL) remains a reliable dividend payer, having distributed regular dividends for 87 straight quarters and has a yield of 9.75%, as of November 16.
SFL Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:SFL) owns and charters maritime and offshore assets, operating a fleet that supports medium and long-term contracts across the shipping and energy sectors.
13. Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK)
Dividend Yield as of November 16: 9.85%
Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) is among the best stocks with the highest yields.
On November 3, Freedom Capital Markets began covering Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) with a Hold rating and a $3.75 price target, according to a report by The Fly.
In the third quarter of 2025, Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) reported $674.6 million in revenue, an 8% decline compared with the same quarter last year. Its Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) revenue rose 20% year over year to $209.3 million, and Average Daily Paying Users reached 354,000, up 17.6% from a year ago. The company reiterated its full-year outlook, calling for $2.70–$2.75 billion in revenue and $715–$740 million in adjusted EBITDA.
Management is targeting 40% D2C revenue on a run-rate basis within the next two years, compared with the current 31%. CEO Robert Antokol said that Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK)’s portfolio transition will continue into 2026, with priorities including stabilizing Slotomania and preparing the launch of a new slot title, Jackpot Tour, although that game is not expected to contribute meaningfully to 2025 results.
Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) develops and publishes mobile games, offering free-to-play casual and social casino titles such as Bingo Blitz and Slotomania.
Hedge Fund Resource Center