| Top 10 Dividend Stocks By Forward Dividend Yield | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticker | Company | Sector | Market Cap ($M) | Dividend Yield (%) | Price ($) |
| DEC | Diversified Energy Company | Energy Minerals | 670.70 | 24.36 | 14.21 |
| EC | Ecopetrol S.A. | Energy Minerals | 24,410 | 23.25 | 11.76 |
| TRMD | TORM plc. | Transportation | 3,216 | 19.89 | 34.50 |
| ECC | Eagle Point Credit Company | Investment Trusts/Mutual Funds | 856.43 | 16.73 | 10.05 |
| RC | Ready Capital Corporation | Finance | 1,520 | 15.44 | 8.60 |
| CLCO | Cool Company Ltd. | Industrial Services | 585.90 | 14.54 | 10.91 |
| GECC | Great Elm Capital Corp. | Finance | 95.94 | 13.50 | 10.15 |
| IIF | Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund | Investment Trusts/Mutual Funds | 242.67 | 13.35 | 23.47 |
| XFLT | XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust | Investment Trusts/Mutual Funds | 369.15 | 13.31 | 7.04 |
| ABR | Arbor Realty Trust | Finance | 2,454 | 13.13 | 12.95 |
Why Are These the Best Dividend Stocks?
We use forward dividend yield as the metric for the top 10 dividend stocks listed on the NYSEor Nasdaq.Investors prioritizing dividends are looking for a steady income stream alongside the potential for stock price appreciation. However, future dividends are not a given even for companies with a good track record. Some considerations to keep in mind:
Dividends are adjusted: During moments of economic uncertainty, a company mayreduce or cut its dividend paymentsaltogether to preserve capital to weather storms previewed ahead. Alternatively, companies may increase their dividend payments in a bullish economic environment to attract investors.
Changes in the percentage yield:These stocks may offer a lower dividend yield when facing different overall market conditions, changes in financial stability, and adjustments to their market value.
Some dividend yields can mislead:Some dividend-paying companies may increase their dividend yield to attract investors in the short term, though higher dividends can be unsustainable. That is why it's important to pay close attention to a company'spayout ratio.
How to Pick Dividend Stocks
Investors should pursue companies with robust fundamentals, long-term profitability, and a sustainable dividend yield that has consistently increased for some years.
How to Find Dividend Stocks
When reviewingdividend-paying companies, it is notable that certain sectors, such as finance, energy, and real estate investment trusts, typically pay higher dividends than other industries. When picking the right company, investors should also pay attention to a company's peers to determine if a dividend yield is out of the ordinary for the sector.
What Should Investors Look For in Dividend Stocks?
Dividend yield:The dividend yield reflects the annual value of dividends received relative to a security's per-share market value. You can calculate this by dividing the annual dividend per share by the current stock price, though most brokerage platforms and financial news sites publish such information.
For example, if Company ABC issues a dividend of $10 annually with a current share price of $100, it has a dividend yield of 10% ($10 / $100 = 10%). Investors pursuing high-yielding stocks can start by screening for issues with a divided yield above a certain percentage. Keep in mind that dividend yield is only one of many metrics to consider before investing.
Dividend payout ratio (DPR): The DPR gauges how much of a company's earnings are paid toshareholders. Investors calculate the ratio by dividing total dividends by net income. This, too, can be found on financial sites and other platforms.
For instance, if Company ABC reports a net income of $50,000 and pays $15,000 in annual dividends, it would have a DPR of 30% ($15,000 / $50,000 = 30%). That is, the company pays 30% of its earnings to shareholders. Typically, a company that issues less than 50% of its net earnings in dividends is considered stable and has the potential for sustainable long-termearningsgrowth.
Dividend coverage ratio:This measures the number of times a company can pay dividends to its shareholders. Investors calculate the dividend coverage ratio by dividing a company's annualearnings per shareby its annual dividend per share.
For example, if Company ABC reported $10 million in net income with an annual dividend of $2 million to shareholders, it has a dividend coverage ratio of five ($10 million / $2 million). Usually, investors see a higher dividend coverage ratio as more favorable.
The Bottom Line
Investors pursuing dividend-paying companies should pay close attention to the overall financial condition of the stock they are planning to invest in. A company may offer a high dividend yield even when financially unstable, and it's important not to invest without a proper understanding of the underlying stock.
It is essential to maintain a consistent strategy when going the dividend-payment route. There are advantages, including passive income, for choosing companies that issue dividends and provide a steady stream of income. Another great aspect of dividend investing is reinvesting dividends paid out by a company, using them to buy more shares, and taking advantage ofcompounding returns.
The comments, opinions, and analyses expressed on Investopedia are for informational purposes only. Read ourwarranty and liability disclaimerfor more info.
As of the date this article was written, the author does not own any of the above stocks.
