Three High-Dividend-Rate Stocks Worth Considering for Long-Term Income Strategy in 2026

Understanding the Dividend Rate Appeal

For income-focused investors, the pursuit of superior dividend yield often comes with a trade-off: accepting higher volatility and increased risk. Yet a select group of established companies has managed to break this pattern, combining impressive dividend rates with operational stability and lower volatility profiles. These stocks merit serious attention for those seeking dependable income streams in 2026 and beyond.

The Three Dividend Leaders Compared

Three companies stand out for their combination of strong dividend rate performance and underlying business resilience: Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), Realty Income (NYSE: O), and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ). Each has demonstrated decades of commitment to shareholder returns.

Enbridge: The Pipeline Powerhouse with Utility-Like Stability

Enbridge operates one of the world’s most extensive pipeline networks, making it a critical infrastructure player across North America. The company transports a substantial portion of crude oil and natural gas throughout the continent. Through recent acquisitions, it has also become the largest natural gas utility operator in North America by volume.

What distinguishes Enbridge is its ability to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns. Over the past 20 years, the company’s total shareholder return compound annual growth rate exceeded that of the S&P 500, yet with volatility comparable to traditional utility stocks—well below broader market levels. This stability stems directly from its “low-risk, utility-like” business model.

The dividend rate profile is compelling: Enbridge currently offers a forward dividend yield exceeding 5.8%. Even more impressive, the company just announced its 31st consecutive annual dividend increase. Management projects dividend growth of approximately 5% annually in the years following 2026.

Realty Income: REITs as Dividend Rate Champions

Realty Income (NYSE: O) has built an enviable track record that speaks for itself. The company has delivered 29 consecutive years of positive total operational returns—combining funds from operations per share growth with dividend yield—a streak that survived both the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foundation for this consistency is its diversified real estate portfolio. Ranking as the world’s sixth-largest REIT by scale, Realty Income owns 15,542 properties leased to 1,647 tenants across 92 distinct industries. With 56 years of operational history and solid A3/A- credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global respectively, the company demonstrates institutional-grade stability.

On the dividend rate front, Realty Income’s record is unmatched. The REIT has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years, with 133 consecutive quarterly increases. Since its 1994 New York Stock Exchange listing, dividends have grown at a 4.2% compound annual growth rate. Today’s forward dividend yield stands near 5.8%, with meaningful growth prospects emerging from data center demand expansion and European market opportunities.

Verizon Communications: Telecom’s Dividend Rate Sustainability

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) operates as one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, serving millions of customers across business and consumer segments. The sector’s massive capital requirements create durable competitive barriers, limiting rivalry to a handful of well-capitalized players.

The dividend rate thesis centers on sustainability. Verizon announced its 19th consecutive year of dividend increases in September 2025, with a current forward yield of 6.8%—the highest among these three options. Critically, the company’s free cash flow continues expanding and remains substantially above what’s required to fund the dividend program.

While revenue growth remains modest (1.5% year-over-year in Q3 2025, with adjusted earnings per share rising 1.7%), emerging opportunities may accelerate growth trajectories toward decade’s end. The rollout of 6G networks—supporting capabilities including holographic communications—could unlock new revenue streams beyond traditional wireless services.

Weighing Your Dividend Rate Options

All three candidates offer a compelling value proposition: dividend yields substantially above historical market averages paired with operational resilience. Enbridge provides the lowest volatility combined with consistent 5.8% yields. Realty Income offers the longest track record of dividend increases alongside 5.8% current returns. Verizon delivers the highest immediate yield at 6.8%, supported by growing free cash flow generation.

For investors prioritizing both income generation and capital preservation in 2026, these three high-dividend-rate stocks represent a foundation-quality approach to building dependable portfolios.