5 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now

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In this article, we will list the 5 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now. Please visit 10 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now if you’d like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.

5. Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL)

Beta: 0.42

Dividend Yield: 2.93%

Ex. Dividend Date: June 15, 2026

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) is one of the 10 safest dividend stocks to buy right now.

5 Safest Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now

Morgan Stanley lowered the price target on Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) from $92 to $87 on May 21, 2026. The firm’s analyst kept an Equal Weight rating on the stock. According to the analyst notes, the firm updated its North American utility price targets for April while pointing out that the regulated, diversified, and independent power producer sectors underperformed the broader S&P 500.

Similar to this adjustment, Truist also lowered its price target on Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) from $95 to $92. However, the analyst kept a Buy rating on the stock. The firm updated its Power and Utilities models to reflect rising sector investments, ahead of the American Gas Association’s Financial Forum. Now in year three of the data center wave, infrastructure spending and growth expectations continue to climb. Vertically integrated electric utilities are identified as the primary beneficiaries, with high potential to capture long-term earnings growth by building out localized grid capacity to serve this massive load demand. The company has demonstrated a strong track record of steady distribution growth with an increase in its annual common stock dividend for twenty-three consecutive years.

Founded in 1909, Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) is a major regulated electric and natural gas utility holding company. The Minnesota-based company operates four utility subsidiaries and serves customers across eight Western and Midwestern states.

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