With continued uncertainty in Washington and renewed geopolitical tensions abroad, many investors are growing uneasy as high-flying tech stocks face mounting headwinds toward year-end. Regardless of near-term market swings, portfolios that emphasize stability over speculation remain a proven way to generate consistent long-term returns.
The best dividend stocks to buy now offer peace of mind through reliable income and steady share performance. The following large-cap companies all boast market capitalizations above $10 billion and dividend yields more than double that of the average S&P 500 stock. All also have put up positive gains this year, with a few significantly outperforming the broader stock market in 2025.
Together, these dividend stocks represent a diversified collection of relatively low-risk investments spanning multiple sectors and business models:
Stock
AngloGold Ashanti PLC （ticker: AU）
AT&T Inc. （T）
Coca-Cola Co. （KO）
CVS Health Corp. （CVS）
Franklin Resources Inc. （BEN）
Gilead Sciences Inc. （GILD）
Johnson & Johnson （JNJ）
Lloyds Banking Group PLC （LYG）
NextEra Energy Inc. （NEE）
Novartis AG （NVS）
Nutrien Ltd. （NTR）
Philip Morris International Inc. （PM）
Prologis Inc. （PLD）
Ventas Inc. （VTR）
Williams Cos. Inc. （WMB）
AngloGold Ashanti PLC （AU）
Sector: Materials
Market value: $43 billion
Dividend yield: 3.0%
Investors seeking low-risk assets often turn to physical gold as a hedge against equity volatility. While a gold miner like AngloGold Ashanti has greater correlation to stock markets, it also offers something bullion cannot: regular income.
Gold prices have surged roughly 130% over the past five years, outpacing the S&P 500’s approximately 85% gain over the same period. That strength has allowed major miners like AU to generate significant profits and reinvest in operations. With roughly 67 million ounces of reserves following recent acquisitions, AngloGold has the scale to support continued cash generation. While dividends are paid irregularly – typically twice per year – windfall profits resulted in four distributions in 2025, making AU’s dividend especially attractive as shares head into the new year.
AT&T Inc. （T）
Sector: Communication services
Market value: $175 billion
Dividend yield: 4.6%
AT&T is one of Wall Street’s most established dividend payers, with roots dating back to 1882. Shares have slightly underperformed this year but remain positive in 2025. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s December rate cut – its third of the year – should help make AT&T’s substantial debt load more manageable heading into 2026.
The company has focused heavily on operational improvements to support sustainable, long-term dividends. Its $1.11 per share annual payout represents less than half its earnings, leaving a healthy cushion to weather market volatility. For conservative investors seeking dependable income from a blue-chip name, AT&T remains a compelling choice.
Coca-Cola Co. （KO）
Sector: Consumer staples
Market value: $304 billion
Dividend yield: 2.9%
Coca-Cola remains one of the most reliable dividend stocks on the market. Its portfolio of iconic brands – including Coke, Gatorade, Minute Maid and Gold Peak – drives steady global demand regardless of economic conditions, supporting consistent revenue and shareholder returns.
The company has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, most recently announcing another increase in February. Although Warren Buffett is stepping down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. （BRK.A, BRK.B）， the firm remains a major shareholder and has never sold its Coca-Cola stake, creating an institutional commitment to generous dividends that benefits all shareholders.
CVS Health Corp. （CVS）
Sector: Health care
Market value: $99 billion
Dividend yield: 3.4%
CVS Health endured a difficult stretch several years ago but has successfully navigated industry-wide challenges and addressed company-specific issues. Notably, it continued growing its dividend throughout this transition, with annual payouts of $2.66 per share – roughly double what investors received a decade ago.
The retail pharmacy landscape has evolved significantly, with increased online competition and the recent near-collapse of Walgreens Boots Alliance before it was taken private this summer. Yet brick-and-mortar pharmacies remain essential, and CVS has emerged as the dominant player. Its MinuteClinics further diversify the business by offering affordable, convenient care. CVS shares are up roughly 75% in 2025 and are approaching levels last seen before the 2023 downturn, positioning it well for the year ahead.
Franklin Resources Inc. （BEN）
Sector: Financials
Market value: $13 billion
Dividend yield: 5.4%
Operating under the Franklin Templeton brand, Franklin Resources manages approximately $1.7 trillion in assets. While the firm faced regulatory and market-related challenges in 2024, recent performance has restored investor confidence. Shares are up nearly 50% from their 52-week low, and BEN currently offers one of the highest yields among large-cap financial stocks.
Net outflows at Western Asset Management are now largely behind the company, and year-over-year comparisons have normalized. With improving momentum and a dividend yielding more than four times the S&P 500 average, BEN ranks among the best dividend stocks to buy now.
Gilead Sciences Inc. （GILD）
Sector: Health care
Market value: $151 billion
Dividend yield: 2.6%
Founded in 1987, Gilead is one of the younger major pharmaceutical companies, yet it has built a formidable presence through its expertise in genetic sequencing and specialty therapies. Today, the company generates roughly $30 billion in annual revenue from leading treatments for HIV, cancer and other complex conditions.
Dividends per share have climbed steadily, nearly doubling from 43 cents per quarter in 2015 to 79 cents quarterly today. With payouts consuming less than 40% of expected earnings, Gilead has ample room for continued dividend growth while still investing in its drug pipeline.
Johnson & Johnson （JNJ）
Sector: Health care
Market value: $508 billion
Dividend yield: 2.5%
No list of top dividend stocks would be complete without Johnson & Johnson. The company boasts 140 years of operating history, a rare AAA credit rating, and a position among the 20 largest U.S. corporations by market value.
Johnson & Johnson produces blockbuster pharmaceuticals such as Stelara, industry-leading surgical products and advanced medical devices. Following its most recent increase in April, J&J has now raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years. With shares up more than 45% in 2025, JNJ offers both income and capital appreciation.
Lloyds Banking Group PLC （LYG）
Sector: Financials
Market value: $76 billion
Dividend yield: 3.3%
London-based Lloyds Banking Group has surged more than 90% this year amid improving sector fundamentals and stronger sentiment among U.K. financials than U.S. banks. While less familiar to U.S. investors, Lloyds is comparable in size to major regional banks and insurers.
Founded in 1689, Lloyds boasts a pedigree older than the United States itself. Like many leading insurers and banks, its scale and recurring premium revenue support dependable distributions. Dividends are paid semiannually, but the annualized yield still makes LYG an attractive income investment.
NextEra Energy Inc. （NEE）
Sector: Utilities
Market value: $168 billion
Dividend yield: 2.8%
NextEra Energy is the largest publicly traded utility in the U.S. and a leader in both regulated power generation and renewable energy. Utilities are prized for predictable demand and limited competition, and NextEra’s scale further enhances its stability.
The company has more than tripled its dividend over the past decade and typically announces increases in the first quarter. With payouts consuming only about two-thirds of earnings and roughly 6 million customer accounts generating stable revenue, NEE offers dependable income well into 2026 and beyond.
Novartis AG （NVS）
Sector: Health care
Market value: $260 billion
Dividend yield: 3.0%
Novartis focuses on high-value therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular disease, neuroscience and oncology – fields well suited to long-term, maintenance treatments. Leading drugs include Cosentyx for inflammatory conditions and Entresto for heart disease.
Shares are up nearly 40% in 2025 amid double-digit revenue growth. Dividend payments have also increased steadily, with current annual payouts of $3.99 per share – up roughly 50% from 2015 levels. With health care spending remaining resilient even during economic downturns, Novartis remains a dependable dividend play.
Nutrien Ltd. （NTR）
Sector: Materials
Market value: $30 billion
Dividend yield: 3.4%
Nutrien operates more than 2,000 locations worldwide, supplying fertilizers, seeds, farming equipment and financial solutions. While often overlooked, the company benefits from persistent global demand for food and increasing pressure to improve crop yields amid trade disruptions.
Shares are up more than 35% since January, supported by Nutrien’s position as the world’s largest potash producer and limited global supply capacity. Its stable demand profile supports consistent dividends regardless of broader macroeconomic conditions.
Philip Morris International Inc. （PM）
Sector: Consumer staples
Market value: $247 billion
Dividend yield: 3.7%
Philip Morris is the global tobacco leader behind brands such as Marlboro and smokeless nicotine products like ZYN. After separating from Altria in 2008 to focus on international markets, PM retained the income-focused characteristics that appeal to conservative investors.
Shares are up roughly 30% year to date, and demand for nicotine products tends to remain resilient even during economic stress. That makes Philip Morris a reliable dividend stock heading into 2026.
Prologis Inc. （PLD）
Sector: Real estate
Market value: $120 billion
Dividend yield: 3.2%
Prologis is the world’s largest logistics-focused real estate company, owning approximately 1.2 billion square feet of industrial and warehouse space. Major tenants include Amazon and FedEx, underscoring the strategic importance of its assets.
High barriers to entry and limited land availability support pricing power and occupancy. Dividends have grown steadily, with quarterly payouts now more than triple 2014 levels. Shares are up over 20% in 2025, demonstrating that this low-risk real estate investment trust can still deliver solid returns.
Ventas Inc. （VTR）
Sector: Real estate
Market value: $37 billion
Dividend yield: 2.4%
Ventas owns more than 1,400 health care-related properties across the U.S., Canada and the U.K., including more than 850 senior housing communities. Many operate under triple-net leases, meaning tenants cover taxes, maintenance and insurance.
This structure provides reliable rental income with minimal operating risk. Combined with a defensive health care tenant base, Ventas offers stability and income. Shares are up about 35% this year, carrying strong momentum into 2026, and the company just recorded its first dividend increase since 2020 as proof that its long-term reorganization is literally starting to pay dividends.
Williams Cos. Inc. （WMB）
Sector: Energy
Market value: $73 billion
Dividend yield: 3.4%
Williams Cos. operates more than 33,000 miles of natural gas pipelines, along with extensive processing and storage infrastructure. Its fee-based model limits exposure to commodity price swings, supporting stable cash flow and dividends.
Over the past five years, WMB has delivered returns exceeding 180%, more than double the S&P 500. With a dividend yield roughly three times that of the broader index, Williams offers income-focused investors a lower-risk way to gain energy exposure without sacrificing yield.