2026 High Dividend Yield Stock Panorama: 26 Dividend Stocks Worth Holding

2026-01-12 16:54:48

Key Points

Many high-yield stocks with dividend yields exceeding 6% in 2026
Some stocks have lower dividend yields but outstanding growth potential
Most dividend-paying stocks are attractively valued
Investment opportunities that balance income and growth are worth关注

As the new year begins, many investors are adjusting their portfolios, seeking stocks that combine stable dividends with growth potential. This year’s investment list includes both “old faces” with steady performance last year and high-quality targets newly in focus. Below is the complete list of 26 dividend-paying stocks worth holding in 2026.

Dividend Royalty: High-Quality Stocks with 50 Years of Uninterrupted Dividend Increases

Dividend Kings refer to elite companies that have increased dividends for at least 50 consecutive years, representing the most stable dividend commitments in the industry. In 2026, three Dividend Kings to watch are:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
ABBV	AbbVie	Pharmaceutical manufacturer with multiple blockbuster drugs	$405 billion	3%
KO	Coca-Cola	Global beverage giant with 30 billion-dollar brands	$301 billion	2.9%
WMT	Walmart	Large retailer covering the US and global markets	$888 billion	0.8%

AbbVie’s comeback story is particularly noteworthy. This large pharmaceutical company faced challenges when its blockbuster drug Humira lost US patent protection in early 2023, but the company has rebounded strongly and is now considered one of the most attractive healthcare stocks for income investors.

Policy Incentive Dividends: Beneficiaries of US Tax Advantages

US tax law offers preferential treatment to certain qualifying companies, provided they return at least 90% of earnings as dividends, thus qualifying for federal income tax exemption. The following two types of companies are important components of dividend investing:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
ARCC	Ares Capital Corporation	Leading publicly traded Business Development Company (BDC)	$14 billion	9.5%
O	Realty Income	Large REIT with monthly dividend payments	$52 billion	5.7%

Realty Income’s appeal lies in three aspects: a substantial dividend yield, monthly payouts that enhance cash flow continuity, and 30 consecutive years of dividend increases.

Growth-Oriented Dividends: Large Tech Stocks with Growth Momentum

While the market typically doesn’t buy “Big Seven” tech stocks solely for dividends, their growth potential makes them compelling allocations. The following three tech giants combine dividend and growth attributes:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
GOOG/GOOGL	Alphabet	Search engine leader and cloud service provider	$3.8 trillion	0.27%
AAPL	Apple	Consumer tech giant producing iPhones, Macs, etc.	$4 trillion	0.38%
MSFT	Microsoft	Software developer and cloud services provider	$3.6 trillion	0.75%

In 2026, Alphabet’s performance warrants close attention. The company has extensive AI coverage: it owns one of the top three global cloud platforms, leading large language model technology, and an expanding AI chip product line.

Energy Sector: Traditional High-Dividend Quality Track

Energy stocks have long been favored by income investors due to their stable and reliable high dividend yields. The following four energy stocks stand out:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
CVX	Chevron	Large multinational oil and gas company	$306 billion	4.5%
ENB	Enbridge	Midstream energy and natural gas utility	$104 billion	5.8%
ET	Energy Transfer	Midstream energy company	$56 billion	8%
EPD	Enterprise Products	Midstream energy enterprise	$69 billion	6.8%

Enbridge is particularly noteworthy in this sector. It transports 30% of North American crude oil and one-fifth of US natural gas consumption, and is North America’s largest natural gas utility. Importantly, Enbridge has increased dividends for 31 consecutive years.

Utility Sector: Stable Defensive Dividend Anchor

Utility stocks typically offer competitive dividend yields and tend to perform steadily during market volatility. Seven utility stocks to watch in 2026 include:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
BIP	Brookfield Infrastructure Partners	Assets include utility infrastructure	$16 billion	4.9%
BIPC	Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation	Assets include utility infrastructure	$5 billion	3.8%
BEP	Brookfield Renewable Partners	Renewable energy provider	$18 billion	5.5%
BEPC	Brookfield Renewable Corporation	Renewable energy provider	$7 billion	3.9%
CWEN	Clearway Energy	Renewable energy provider	$7 billion	5.4%
D	Dominion Energy	Utility serving Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina	$50 billion	4.5%
EVRG	Evergy	Utility serving Kansas and Missouri	$17 billion	3.8%

The four stocks from Brookfield Group are particularly worth noting. Their renewable energy and infrastructure businesses each offer two stock forms: limited partnership (LP) structures and corporate structures, both under Brookfield Asset Management.

Valuation Disparity: Dual Opportunities of Dividends and Discounts

Compared to stable dividends alone, stocks with attractive valuations are more compelling. The following six stocks meet both criteria:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
PFE	Pfizer	Pharmaceutical with multiple blockbuster drugs	$142 billion	6.9%
PRU	Prudential	Large financial services company	$40 billion	4.8%
UNH	UnitedHealth	Major health insurer and pharmacy benefits manager	$300 billion	2.7%
UPS	United Parcel Service	Large parcel delivery company	$84 billion	6.6%
USB	U.S. Bancorp	Major bank	$83 billion	3.8%
VZ	Verizon	Major telecom operator	$172 billion	6.8%

These stocks’ forward P/E ratios are well below the overall valuation of the S&P 500. Among them, UnitedHealth, after adjustments in 2025, may see a rebound in 2026.

Special Assets: Ultra-High Dividend Alternative Choices

The list also includes a unique investment vehicle:

Code	Company	Business Characteristics	Market Cap	Dividend Yield
FSCO	FS Credit Opportunities Fund	Closed-end fund (CEF), traded like a stock	$1.25 billion	12.8%

This closed-end fund manages a direct loan portfolio similar to a business development company, with an ultra-high dividend yield as its main attraction.

Summary

The dividend stock landscape in 2026 is rich and diverse. Whether conservative investors seeking stable income or balanced investors combining growth and income, there are suitable assets across different sectors and categories. The key is to select stocks with attractive dividend yields, appealing valuations, or growth potential based on individual risk tolerance and investment horizon, to build a more balanced portfolio.

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