In this article, we will take a look at the 10 Best Dividend Stocks Yielding at Least 7% According to Hedge Funds.
Trivariate Research sees a clear shift taking shape. With dividend yields much lower than they used to be, investors are having to be more selective to get solid returns. Adam Parker made that point in a recent note and said the S&P 500 is yielding about 1.15% right now, which puts it close to a 50-year low. The only time it dropped further was during the tech bubble, when it hit 1.09%.
Even in this environment, dividend-paying stocks have held up relatively well this year. Parker also pointed out that the way these stocks behave has changed over time. Since COVID-19, companies that consistently raise dividends have started to edge past their peers. Before the pandemic, they tended to track the broader market more closely. More recently, stocks with weaker fundamentals and lower payout ratios have delivered the strongest gains, which stands out.
He also noted that shareholder return strategies, including buybacks, have been working better after COVID than they did before. The results are not uniform across sectors. Dividend growth has shown up more clearly in real estate, industrials, and utilities. It has been less effective in communication services, technology, and consumer staples. Regular dividend increases still tend to signal steady finances and disciplined management. That part hasn’t really changed.
Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks with yields above 7%.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Our Methodology:
For this list, we screened for dividend stocks with yields higher than 7% as of April 25. From this group, we further refined our selection criteria by identifying stocks that were also popular among elite funds, as per Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2025. We picked companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These companies are also popular among elite funds and analysts.
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).
10. MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 7.78%
On April 20, Goldman Sachs raised its price recommendation on MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX) to $63 from $55. It reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst pointed out that the sector has performed well so far this year. This has been driven by a shift toward energy stocks and ongoing disruptions linked to Middle East tensions. They also noted that differences in performance across individual stocks are likely to remain. The firm highlighted a few key drivers. U.S. natural gas demand continues to benefit from LNG expansion and rising power needs from data centers. There is also potential upside tied to gas and water activity in the Permian. At the same time, the LNG outlook has improved structurally, with limited expectations for a US supply response to the Iran disruption.
On April 10, Barclays analyst Theresa Chen raised the firm’s price target on MPLX to $59 from $55 and kept an Overweight rating ahead of the Q1 report. She noted that MPLX’s relative underperformance compared to peers likely reflects its “lower commodity torque.” Still, she indicated that the company’s core assets and overall strategy have not changed.
MPLX LP is a large-cap master limited partnership focused on midstream energy infrastructure and logistics. It owns and operates assets across crude oil, natural gas, and related products, while also providing fuel distribution services. The company operates through two segments: Crude Oil and Products Logistics, and Natural Gas and NGL Services.
9. Global Net Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GNL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 7.99%
On April 17, BMO Capital downgraded Global Net Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GNL) to Market Perform from Outperform. It reiterated its price target unchanged at $10. The analyst noted that the company will need to balance further deleveraging with the need to grow earnings. In the firm’s view, much of Global Net’s turnaround is already reflected in the stock.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, Christopher Masterson, CFO, outlined the company’s initial outlook for 2026. AFFO is expected to come in between $0.80 and $0.84 per share. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA is projected in the range of 6.5x to 6.9x. This assumes a gross transaction volume of $250 million to $350 million, including both acquisitions and dispositions.
Management said this guidance reflects an ongoing effort to reduce exposure to the office segment. At the same time, they plan to stay flexible and reinvest proceeds from asset sales in a disciplined, leverage-neutral way. They added that this approach should support earnings growth over time.
Global Net Lease, Inc. is an internally managed real estate investment trust focused on income-producing net lease assets. Its portfolio spans the United States, along with Western and Northern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Industrial & Distribution, Retail, and Office.
8. Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 7.94%
On April 20, Goldman Sachs analyst John Mackay downgraded Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM) to Sell from Neutral and set a $32 price target, implying 7% downside. He pointed to a more difficult risk/reward at current levels. In his view, Hess Midstream’s volume growth is likely to lag peers. This reflects a plateauing production outlook from Chevron in the basin, along with long-term re-contracting risk as legacy fee agreements remain well above market rates. He also noted a slower capital returns framework.
On April 1, Morgan Stanley analyst Robert Kad raised the firm’s price recommendation on Hess Midstream to $42 from $38. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. In the firm’s weekly update on midstream and renewable energy infrastructure, he said the sector has drawn attention compared to higher torque energy subsectors since the start of the Iran war. He added that investors have “started to sharpen their pencils on potential midstream estimate revisions.”
Hess Midstream LP operates as a midstream company with a portfolio of assets across oil, gas, and produced water handling. Its operations are concentrated in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays within the Williston Basin in North Dakota, where it provides services to both the company and third-party customers.
7. Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:APAM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 10.69%
On April 21, RBC Capital analyst Kenneth Lee lowered the firm’s price recommendation on Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:APAM) to $48 from $50. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. The update came as part of a broader research note previewing Q1 results for asset managers. The firm said it still sees potential for continued industry consolidation heading into 2026. It also pointed to M&A activity as a likely driver, as firms look to diversify their investment strategies and build scale.
For Artisan, RBC highlighted that about 70% of its AUM is positioned internationally. This could support the company if demand for EM and non-U.S. exposure increases, according to the analyst.
On April 10, the company reported preliminary assets under management as of March 31, 2026, of $173.0 billion. Artisan Funds and Artisan Global Funds accounted for $84.5 billion of total AUM. Separate accounts and other AUM made up the remaining $88.5 billion.
Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. operates as a global multi-asset investment platform. It offers a range of investment strategies across growing asset classes and serves institutional and sophisticated clients worldwide.
6. Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 8.93%
On April 7, Barclays downgraded Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. to Equal Weight from Overweight. It also lowered the price target on the stock to $9 from $13. The firm pointed to the stock’s relative valuation as the main reason for the downgrade. It also said it no longer expects Park to complete its non-core asset sale program during 2026. In its view, the shares offer limited upside in the near to medium term.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CFO and COO Sean Dell’Orto outlined the company’s outlook for 2026. Full-year RevPAR growth is expected to range from flat to an increase of up to 2%. Expense growth is projected to stay in the low single digits. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to come in between $580 million and $610 million. Adjusted FFO per share is guided to a range of $1.73 to $1.89.
Management said the guidance does not include any meaningful upside from World Cup-related demand at the Royal Palm property. It also excludes the impact of any additional non-core asset sales in 2026. The outlook assumes the refinancing of $1.4 billion in debt at a blended interest rate of 5.5%.
Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. is a lodging real estate investment trust with a portfolio of hotels and resorts across the United States. The company owns around 34 properties with about 23,000 rooms. It operates through three segments: Core hotels, consolidated non-core hotels, and unconsolidated hotels.
5. SITE Centers Corp. (NYSE:SITC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 9.34%
On April 22, Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Goldfarb raised the firm’s price recommendation on SITE Centers Corp. (NYSE:SITC) to $6 from $5.50 ahead of quarterly results. The firm maintained a Neutral rating on the shares.
During the Q4 2025 earnings call, the company described 2025 as a very active year focused on unlocking value and returning capital to shareholders. It reported the sale of 14 properties for a total of $752.5 million. Over the same period, it declared total dividends of $6.75 per share. The company also said it had fully repaid all consolidated mortgage debt.
President and CEO David R. Lukes stated that the remaining wholly owned retail real estate assets were being marketed for sale, as the company continued to focus on maximizing shareholder value. He added that, following the spinoff of Curbline Properties, SITE Centers had already sold more than 66% of its assets based on net operating income as of December 31, 2024, on a pro rata basis. He also said the company was continuing to return the remaining capital to shareholders.
SITE Centers Corp. owns and manages open-air shopping centers, primarily located in suburban, household-income communities. It operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, functioning as a fully integrated real estate company.
4. Nomad Foods Limited (NYSE:NOMD)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 7.13%
On April 14, Barclays lowered its price recommendation on Nomad Foods Limited (NYSE:NOMD) to $12 from $13. It reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The change came as part of a broader Q1 preview across the consumer staples group. The firm said it is showing “growing caution” on the sector heading into earnings, mainly due to higher input costs. In food, the analyst also pointed to “building concerns” around the sustainability of dividends for some companies.
On March 30, Deutsche Bank analyst Steve Powers downgraded Nomad Foods to Hold from Buy and lowered the price target to $10 from $15. The firm said the Iran conflict is creating cost pressure on oil and energy-linked inputs. It also flagged potential demand headwinds tied to weaker consumer sentiment in Europe. The analyst added that the company has limited pricing power and faces trade-down risk.
Nomad Foods Limited operates as a frozen food company with a portfolio of well-known brands. Its brands include Birds Eye, Findus, iglo, Ledo, and Frikom. The company offers a range of frozen products across categories such as fish, vegetables, poultry, meals, pizza, and ice cream.
3. Dynex Capital, Inc. (NYSE:DX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 14.83%
On April 20, JonesResearch analyst Jason Weaver lowered the firm’s price recommendation on Dynex Capital, Inc. (NYSE:DX) to $14.75 from $15.25. It reiterated a Buy rating following the Q1 report. The firm said spread volatility is creating “near-term noise,” but it also extends Dynex’s runway for attractive asset deployment. Mortgage spreads widened in the back half of the quarter, though the company’s hedging portfolio performed well.
The company reported Q1 2026 earnings on April 20. Book value was $12.60 per share at quarter-end. Chief Financial Officer Sartori said economic return for the period was negative 2.5%. This included $0.51 per share in common dividends and a $0.85 per share decline in book value. He also noted that leverage closed the quarter at 8.6x relative to total equity. At the same time, the company maintained a strong liquidity position, with $1.3 billion in cash and unencumbered securities. This represented more than 46% of total equity at the end of the quarter.
Dynex Capital, Inc. operates as a financial services company and is structured as an internally managed mortgage REIT. It invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities and finances these investments mainly through repurchase agreements.
2. The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 7.84%
On April 24, Bank of America analyst Sara Senatore lowered the firm’s price recommendation on The Wendy’s Company to $7 from $8. It reiterated an Underperform rating on the shares. The update reflects revised estimates across the firm’s restaurant coverage ahead of calendar Q1 earnings.
On April 21, Wendy’s announced the opening of its 100th Wendy’s restaurant in the Philippines. The new location is in Angeles City, Province of Pampanga, along Friendship Highway. The restaurant is owned and operated by Wenphil Corp. The milestone highlights the brand’s long-term commitment to one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing quick-service restaurant markets.
Wendy’s has built its presence in the Philippines over more than 40 years, reaching 100 locations as demand in the QSR segment continues to grow. Frequent customer visits have supported further expansion. The company sees the Philippines as a key growth market and is expanding with Wenphil Corp., which plans to reach 200 locations by 2030. Management said the milestone reflects strong momentum in the market, supported by partnerships and a continued focus on quality, convenience, and localized offerings.
The Wendy’s Company operates, develops, and franchises quick-service restaurants. Its menu includes made-to-order square hamburgers using beef, along with items such as the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and nuggets, the Baconator, and the Frosty dessert.
1. Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
Dividend Yield as of April 25: 9.22%
On April 21, William Blair upgraded Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI) to Outperform from Market Perform. It said the stock’s risk/reward is “too compelling to ignore.” Sentiment has been weak for some time, but the analyst noted early signs of improvement based on recent conversations with investors. The view is that sentiment could continue to shift as estimates move higher. William Blair’s scenario analysis points to about 40% upside for both Robert Half and Kforce in a base-case scenario over the next 12 months. In a stronger cyclical rebound, the firm sees “much more upside potential.”
During the Q1 2026 earnings call, management shared its outlook for the second quarter. The company’s revenue is expected to range between $1.275 billion and $1.375 billion, while EPS is projected at $0.20 to $0.30. Executive VP & CFO Michael Buckley added that, excluding the impact of a severance charge, EPS is expected to come in between $0.23 and $0.33.
Robert Half Inc. provides specialized talent solutions and business consulting services under the Robert Half and Protiviti brands. The company operates through three segments: contract talent solutions, permanent placement talent solutions, and Protiviti.
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