26 Top Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026

• The top dividend stocks for 2026 include many that offer ultra-high yields of over 6%.

• This list features some stocks with low dividend yields but good growth prospects.

• Some of these dividend stocks also come at attractive valuations.

• 10 stocks we like better than Alphabet ›

I have a New Year’s tradition. It doesn’t involve fireworks or eating certain foods. Instead, during the first week of January, I identified the top dividend stocks to buy and hold in the new year.

Many of the stocks on this year’s list are repeat stocks for 2025, but there are also some new entrants. Without further ado, here are my 26 top dividend stocks to buy and hold in 2026.

Let’s start with the Dividend Kings, an elite group of stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. Three members of the 2026 dividend royalties I like:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

I particularly like the AbbVie story. The major drugmaker faces a severe patent cliff, with its long-selling drug Humira losing U.S. patent exclusivity in early 2023. However, AbbVie has made a comeback. I think it’s one of the best healthcare stocks in the market for income investors.

The U.S. government exempts certain types of companies from federal income taxes if they return at least 90% of their earnings as dividends to shareholders. Two stocks that fit the bill are among my favorites for the new year:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

Real estate income may be particularly popular with investors. In addition to their generous earnings, REITs also pay monthly dividends. Realty Income has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years.

I doubt anyone would buy the so-called “Big Seven” stocks because of their dividends, even though several members of the group pay relatively small dividends. Buying these stocks for their growth prospects, however, is another story. My three top Mag7 dividend stocks are:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

I’m particularly bullish on Google’s parent company, Alphabet, in 2026. It covers almost all areas in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), with the top three cloud platforms, leading large language models (LLM), and AI chips that are gaining market momentum.

Energy stocks have long been a favorite among income investors because of their reliable, high dividend yields. In my opinion, these four energy stocks look particularly promising:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

Enbridge is perhaps the most attractive stock in the group. Its pipelines transport 30% of North America’s crude oil and about one-fifth of the natural gas consumed in the United States. However, the company is also the largest natural gas utility in North America. Enbridge has increased its dividend for 31 consecutive years.

Utility stocks often pay attractive dividends and can serve as safe havens during turbulent times. I’m bullish on several utility stocks in 2026, and these seven are particularly compelling:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

You may notice that “Brookfield” is mentioned four times. Brookfield Renewable Energy and Brookfield Infrastructure each have two listed shares: one as a limited partnership (LP) and the other as a corporate entity. These companies are sibling companies of the same parent company. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM).

What’s better than a steady dividend? Generous dividends coupled with attractive valuations. These six stocks check both boxes:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

All of these stocks have forward P/E ratios well below S&P 500 Indexof (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) forward earnings multiple. I think UnitedHealth stock, in particular, could rebound in 2026 after struggling in 2025.

Finally, I added a curious addition to the 2026 list:

Data source: Yahoo! finance. Market capitalization and forward dividend yield as of December 31, 2025.

FS Credit Opportunities is a closed-end fund that trades like company stock. It operates similarly to BDC. I like its direct loan opportunities. I like its super high yield distribution.

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Keith Speights has worked at AbbVie, Alphabet, Apple, Ares Capital, Brookfield Infrastructure, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, Chevron, Clearway Energy, Dominion Energy, Enbridge, Energy Transfer, Enterprise Products Partners, Evergy, FS Credit Opportunities, Microsoft, Pfizer, Prudential Financial, Realty Income, US Bancorp, United Parcel Service and Verizon Communications and other companies. The Motley Fool holds and recommends AbbVie, Alphabet, Apple, Ares Capital, Brookfield Asset Management, Chevron, Enbridge, Microsoft, Pfizer, Realty Income, US Bancorp, United Parcel Service and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, Dominion Energy, Enterprise Products Partners, UnitedHealth Group and Verizon Communications, and recommends the following options: long January 2026 Microsoft $395 calls and short January 2026 Microsoft $405 calls. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The 26 Highest Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026 Originally published by The Motley Fool