In this article, we will take a look at the Dividend Capture Strategy: 14 High Yield Stocks to Buy in April. 

Dividend stocks are usually seen as long-term plays, but some investors try to generate quick returns using a dividend capture strategy. The idea involves investors buying a stock just before it pays a dividend and selling it shortly after receiving that payment. The focus stays on collecting the dividend while also trying to benefit from any short-term price movement before the payout.

Dividend stocks have been holding up well in 2026. Ongoing concerns around artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs and earnings have pushed some investors toward more defensive names. These tend to offer steadier earnings and more predictable cash flows. Dan Lefkovitz, a strategist with Morningstar Indexes, said, “Dividend-payers may lag during market environments led by hot growth stocks, but in down periods like 2022 and 2018, they show resilience.”

A report from Morningstar highlighted a few reasons dividend-growth stocks stand out right now. Companies that consistently raise dividends are often profitable and financially stable. That tends to matter more when the market feels uncertain. These companies are also more likely to have competitive advantages. That gives them room to pass on higher costs and protect margins if inflation rises. They also tend to be less volatile than the broader market. For investors looking to play some defense, that stability can be useful.

Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks for a dividend capture strategy.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we selected dividend stocks that will trade ex-dividend in April 2026. The ex-dividend date indicates the cutoff day to buy a stock to receive its upcoming dividend payment. These stocks have dividend yields above 2%, as of March 30. The stocks are ranked according to their ex-dividend dates.

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).

14. Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH)

Ex-Dividend Date: April 1

Dividend Yield as of March 30: 6.79%

On March 16, Piper Sandler began coverage of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH) with a Neutral rating. It set a $32 price target on the stock. The firm noted that the company continues to operate with relatively thin capital ratios. That situation puts some limits on growth and likely pushes share buybacks lower on the priority list.

During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Edward Handy discussed targeted investments across Wealth Management and Commercial Banking. He pointed to the acquisition of assets from Lighthouse Financial Management and the hiring of Jim Brown as Chief Commercial Banking Officer as key steps in that direction. He also said the company brought in an institutional banking team focused on education, healthcare, and nonprofit clients in the Northeast. The expectation is that this team will help generate higher-quality C&I loans and improve deposit growth.

He added that a new branch in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is planned for later in 2026. The move is meant to strengthen the company’s footprint in a market that is seeing steady growth. CFO Ronald Ohsberg reported fourth-quarter net income of $16 million, or $0.83 per share. That compares with $10.8 million, or $0.56 per share, in the prior quarter.

Net interest income came in at $40.7 million. That marks a 5% increase from Q3 and a 24% rise from the same period last year. He also noted that the net interest margin improved to 2.56%. That is up 16 basis points sequentially and 61 basis points year over year. The improvement came from a better funding mix, supported by higher in-market deposits, less reliance on wholesale funding, and disciplined deposit pricing.

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:WASH) operates as the holding company for The Washington Trust Company. The bank is state-chartered and provides financial services through two main segments: Commercial Banking and Wealth Management Services.

13. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)

Ex-Dividend Date: April 6

Dividend Yield as of March 30: 2.11%

On March 26, Truist lowered its price recommendation on JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) to $323 from $330. It reiterated a Hold rating on the shares. The update came as part of a broader note on regional and universal banks. The analyst pointed to ongoing macro concerns and structural pressures that have weighed on sentiment across bank stocks. These include war, interest rates, stagflation, AI displacement, and the rise of private credit. Even with those factors in play, recent updates for the quarter have been fairly positive. The analyst also noted that management teams have sounded constructive about the outlook for the full year.

A March 26 report from Bloomberg said that JPMorgan Chase is preparing a private credit interval fund. The fund would allow investors to redeem up to 7.5% on a quarterly basis. The bank has also asked regulators to allow monthly withdrawals of at least 2%. This approach stands out at a time when many firms cap redemptions at around 5%, which has tightened liquidity across the market. The planned fund will focus mainly on credit investments, including private credit. The bank believes that offering more frequent withdrawal options could better meet investor needs.

CEO Jamie Dimon has also highlighted risks in the credit space. At the same time, the firm continues to direct capital toward selected opportunities.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) operates as a financial holding company. It is involved in investment banking, consumer and small business financial services, commercial banking, transaction processing, and asset management.