In this article, we will take a look at the 5 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2026. For deeper discussion and analysis, read 15 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2026.
5. H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO)
Dividend Yield as of March 16: 3.01%
On March 13, Baird initiated coverage of H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO) with an Outperform rating. The firm set a $67 price target on the stock. In a research note, the analyst described H2O as a regulated water and wastewater utility operating across four U.S. states. The firm views the company as a leading national provider in the sector, with geographic diversification continuing to improve. Baird expects growth in the company’s rate base and believes the shares are trading at an attractive discount compared with H2O’s historical valuation multiples.
Earlier, on February 26, the company announced the appointment of Nick O. Rowe to the H2O America board of directors. The appointment became effective on March 1. Rowe has spent 39 years in the drinking water industry. Before retiring in 2022, he served as senior vice president at American Water Works Company and as president of its subsidiary, Kentucky American Water Company.
During his time at American Water, he held several executive leadership roles focused on operations and long-term value creation. He also gained extensive experience in water utility operations, including customer service, regulatory compliance, and relationships with local stakeholders.
H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO), formerly known as SJW Group, operates as a national investor-owned network of local water and wastewater utilities. The company focuses on delivering clean, high-quality water to the communities it serves.
4. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)
Dividend Yield as of March 16: 3.27%
On March 16, Morgan Stanley analyst James Faucette lowered the firm’s price recommendation on Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) to $240 from $320. The firm reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The change comes ahead of the company’s fiscal Q2 earnings report, scheduled for Thursday, March 19. Morgan Stanley expects Accenture to raise the low end of its FY26 revenue growth outlook to 3%-5%, compared with the earlier range of 2%-5%. The firm noted that bookings have been “weak.” Based on its checks, the analyst also believes the company may be going through a talent rotation.
Also on March 16, Accenture said it has completed the acquisition of Faculty, a UK-based artificial intelligence company known for its technical expertise and its work applying AI safely across public and private sectors to help clients improve services and drive growth. Following the acquisition, Faculty CEO and co-founder Dr. Marc Warner is expanding his role and will also serve as chief technology officer of Accenture. He will join the company’s Global Management Committee.
The acquisition adds to Accenture’s capabilities as it helps clients redesign core and critical business processes using secure, outcome-focused AI solutions. As part of the deal, more than 400 AI specialists from Faculty, including data scientists and AI engineers, are joining Accenture to support the expansion of its AI capabilities for clients.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) operates as a global professional services company. It provides services and solutions across strategy and consulting, technology, operations, Industry X, and Song.
3. Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB)
Dividend Yield as of March 16: 3.63%
On March 16, JPMorgan analyst Vivek Juneja resumed coverage of Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) with an Overweight rating. The firm also set a price target of $50.50, raised from $45, after a period of restriction. In a research note, the analyst said the bank’s commercial and industrial loan growth has improved during the first two months of the year. He also noted that Fifth Third remains confident it can achieve 35% savings from Comerica’s expense base.
Separately, CEO Tim Spence said the company’s use of artificial intelligence has delivered “pretty remarkable” cost savings. “At financial institutions, we should experiment more than maybe we have historically,” Spence said Wednesday during an interview with Bloomberg Television. The regional bank began rolling out AI tools about two years ago to improve productivity, starting with Copilot from Microsoft, according to Spence. Last year, about one-third of the company’s released code was written by AI. That share increased to 40% during the first two months of 2026.
Last month, Fifth Third completed its acquisition of Comerica Inc., bringing its total assets to nearly $300 billion. Spence said the bank has managed to operate with 20% fewer employees than a decade ago, even as its size has doubled, helped by AI and traditional automation tools.
Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) is a diversified financial services company and the indirect holding company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Its Commercial Banking segment provides credit intermediation, cash management, and financial services to large and middle-market businesses, as well as government and professional clients.
2. Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ)
Dividend Yield as of March 16: 3.75%
On March 12, Goldman Sachs raised its price recommendation on Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) to $49 from $37. The firm reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. In a research note, the analyst said estimates across U.S. Majors and Canadian Oils were revised following recent disruptions in the Middle East. Price targets were lifted even though equity performance has already been strong so far this year.
Earlier, on March 5, the company reported fourth-quarter results that came in above analysts’ expectations. Executives pointed to the company’s ability to manage sharp swings in oil prices, supported by its low-cost structure and diversified operations. Canada’s largest oil and gas producer delivered stronger results during a broader sector downturn tied to uncertainty around U.S. tariffs and rising supply from OPEC+.
Production increased 12.8% from a year earlier to a record 1.66 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the fourth quarter. The company also raised its 2026 production outlook to between 1.62 million and 1.67 million boepd, compared with its earlier forecast of 1.59 million to 1.65 million boepd. Oil prices that had weakened in the fourth quarter later moved higher following the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. The conflict has reduced crude supply from the Middle East and supported prices for Canadian oil sands heavy crude. CEO Scott Stauth said the company plans to remain steady despite volatility in commodity prices. Canadian Natural currently holds contracted crude oil transportation capacity of 256,500 barrels per day, including committed volumes to Canada’s west coast for overseas exports and to the US Gulf Coast.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) operates as a senior crude oil and natural gas producer. Its core operations are located in Western Canada, the United Kingdom portion of the North Sea, and Offshore Africa.
1. General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS)
Dividend Yield as of March 16: 6.26%
On March 16, Barclays lowered its price recommendation on General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) to $43 from $46. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm said the company’s pricing investments have helped slow volume declines and made its products more competitive. Even so, recent data have not yet shown enough improvement to push overall sales back into growth.
Earlier, on March 12, Wells Fargo downgraded General Mills to Underweight from Equal Weight and reduced its price target to $35 from $45.The firm lowered ratings on three food companies, pointing to higher leverage levels and elevated dividend payout ratios. Analysts also flagged earnings risk as a concern. In a research note, the analyst wrote that the “convergence” of earnings risk, higher leverage, and “tight” dividends will likely drive share underperformance relative to peers. Wells Fargo also said it sees negative profit catalysts ahead for General Mills.
General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) operates as a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods. The company runs four main segments: North America Retail, International, North America Pet, and North America Foodservice. The North America Retail segment includes sales through grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership clubs, natural food chains, drug stores, dollar and discount retailers, convenience stores, and online grocery platforms.
While we acknowledge the potential of GIS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than GIS and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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