Top 50 High Yield Dividend Stocks & Safety Ratings
High yield dividend stocks give you a practical way to build income from companies that share their profits with shareholders, year after year. This curated list spans dependable sectors like utilities, consumer staples, healthcare, and industrials, so you can diversify while you earn. Every stock comes with a clear Dividend Safety rating — Very Safe, Safe, or Borderline Safe — helping you weigh each payout against the strength behind it. That way, you’re not just chasing yield, you’re choosing income you can trust. Explore the full list below and find the dividend payers that fit your goals.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Dividend yields and safety ratings are based on research completed on September 3, 2026, and may have changed since publication. Always verify current data and consult a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
How to Read the Safety Ratings
Before you dive into the list, here’s what each safety rating means:
- Very Safe — These companies have strong finances and a long track record of dependable payouts. The dividend is highly likely to hold, even in tough times.
- Safe — Solid and dependable, with a low chance of a cut under normal conditions.
- Borderline Safe — Still paying, but worth a closer look. Keep an eye on earnings and cash flow before committing.
The Complete List
| Ticker | Name | Industry | Dividend Yield | Dividend Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRL | Hormel Foods | Packaged Foods and Meats | 5.40% | Safe |
| KMB | Kimberly-Clark | Household Products | 4.74% | Safe |
| PEP | PepsiCo | Soft Drinks and Beverages | 4.23% | Safe |
| NWN | Northwest Natural | Gas Utilities | 3.99% | Safe |
| FRT | Federal Realty | Retail REITs | 3.96% | Safe |
| BKH | Black Hills | Multi-Utilities | 3.84% | Safe |
| MZTI | Marzetti Company | Packaged Foods and Meats | 3.79% | Very Safe |
| CDUAF | Canadian Utilities | Multi-Utilities | 3.61% | Safe |
| SWK | Stanley Black & Decker | Industrial Machinery and Components | 3.48% | Borderline Safe |
| FTS | Fortis | Electric Utilities | 3.28% | Safe |
| ED | Consolidated Edison | Multi-Utilities | 3.26% | Very Safe |
| UBSI | United Bankshares | Regional Banks | 3.19% | Safe |
| GPC | Genuine Parts Company | Distributors | 3.09% | Borderline Safe |
| PG | Procter & Gamble | Household Products | 2.96% | Very Safe |
| TGT | Target | General Merchandise Retail | 2.83% | Safe |
| HTO | H2O America | Water Utilities | 2.73% | Very Safe |
| SYY | Sysco | Food Distributors | 2.71% | Borderline Safe |
| PPG | PPG Industries | Specialty Chemicals | 2.67% | Very Safe |
| ABBV | AbbVie | Biotechnology | 2.66% | Safe |
| NFG | National Fuel Gas | Gas Utilities | 2.66% | Very Safe |
| CWT | California Water Service Group | Water Utilities | 2.65% | Very Safe |
| MGEE | MGE Energy | Electric Utilities | 2.62% | Very Safe |
| SCL | Stepan Company | Specialty Chemicals | 2.53% | Safe |
| ITW | Illinois Tool Works | Industrial Machinery and Components | 2.53% | Very Safe |
| LOW | Lowe’s | Home Improvement Retail | 2.48% | Safe |
| ADM | Archer-Daniels-Midland | Agricultural Products | 2.47% | Safe |
| MSEX | Middlesex Water Company | Water Utilities | 2.46% | Very Safe |
| ABM | ABM Industries Incorporated | Waste and Facility Services | 2.46% | Safe |
| AWR | American States Water | Water Utilities | 2.43% | Very Safe |
| ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Human Resource Services | 2.40% | Very Safe |
| KO | Coca-Cola | Soft Drinks and Beverages | 2.39% | Safe |
| CL | Colgate-Palmolive | Household Products | 2.35% | Very Safe |
| ABT | Abbott Laboratories | Health Care Equipment | 2.32% | Very Safe |
| BDX | Becton, Dickinson and Company | Health Care Equipment | 2.24% | Very Safe |
| CINF | Cincinnati Financial | Property and Casualty Insurance | 2.15% | Safe |
| RPM | RPM International | Specialty Chemicals | 2.09% | Safe |
| JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | Pharmaceuticals | 1.93% | Very Safe |
| CBSH | Commerce Bancshares | Regional Banks | 1.88% | Very Safe |
| FUL | H.B. Fuller | Specialty Chemicals | 1.83% | Safe |
| PNR | Pentair | Industrial Machinery and Components | 1.80% | Very Safe |
| TNC | Tennant Company | Industrial Machinery and Components | 1.76% | Safe |
| FMCB | Farmers & Merchants Bancorp | Regional Banks | 1.58% | Very Safe |
| EMR | Emerson Electric | Electrical Components and Equipment | 1.48% | Safe |
| NDSN | Nordson | Industrial Machinery and Components | 1.18% | Very Safe |
| MSA | MSA Safety Incorporated | Office Services and Supplies | 1.15% | Very Safe |
| RLI | RLI Corp. | Property and Casualty Insurance | 1.12% | Very Safe |
| DOV | Dover | Industrial Machinery and Components | 1.10% | Very Safe |
| GRC | Gorman-Rupp Company | Industrial Machinery and Components | 1.01% | Safe |
| WMT | Walmart | General Merchandise Retail | 0.91% | Very Safe |
Put This List to Work
The best dividend portfolios balance yield with safety. A stock like Hormel Foods offers an attractive 5.40% payout, while names like Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble bring rock-solid dependability at lower yields. Mixing both can give you income now and peace of mind for the long haul.
Do your own research before you buy. Yields shift, businesses change, and today’s numbers are a starting point, not a guarantee. Use this list as a map, then dig into the companies that fit your goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a high yield dividend stock?
A: A high yield dividend stock is a company that pays out a large share of its price back to you as dividends. The “yield” tells you how much income you get relative to the stock’s price. In general, a yield above the market average — roughly 2% to 3% for many large companies — is considered high. These stocks appeal to investors who want steady cash flow rather than fast growth.
Q: How is dividend yield calculated?
A: Dividend yield is the annual dividend per share divided by the current share price, shown as a percentage. For example, a stock paying $2 a year while trading at $50 has a 4% yield. Because the price moves daily, the yield changes too. A falling price can push the yield up, which is why a high number isn’t always good news.
Q: How do the dividend safety ratings work?
A: The safety ratings tell you how likely a company is to keep paying its dividend, based on its finances and payment history. Each stock on this list falls into one of three tiers:
- Very Safe — Strong finances and a long track record; the payout is highly likely to continue, even in tough times.
- Safe — Solid and dependable, with a low chance of a cut under normal conditions.
- Borderline Safe — Still paying, but worth a closer look at earnings and cash flow before you buy.
Q: How do I choose the right dividend stocks?
A: Start by balancing yield with safety, then match the stock to your goals. A high yield means little if the company can’t sustain it, so check the safety rating first. Spread your money across different sectors to reduce risk, and favor businesses with a long history of steady payments.
Q: What sectors are included in this list?
A: The list covers a broad mix of dependable industries to help you diversify. You’ll find utilities (water, gas, and electric), consumer staples (household products, packaged foods, and beverages), healthcare (pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical equipment), and industrials (machinery, tools, and equipment). You’ll also see financials, REITs, retailers, and specialty chemical firms in the mix.
Q: Does a higher yield always mean better returns?
A: No. Sometimes a yield looks high because the stock price has dropped, which can signal trouble ahead. If the company later cuts its dividend, your income and your investment can both shrink. That’s why pairing yield with a safety rating gives you a clearer picture than yield alone.
Q: Are high yield dividend stocks good for beginners?
A: They can be a solid starting point, especially the names rated Very Safe or Safe. Companies with long track records of steady payments tend to be less volatile and easier to understand. Still, no stock is risk-free, so spread your money across several holdings and only invest what you can leave in place for the long haul.
Q: How often is this list updated?
A: Yields and safety ratings shift as prices and company finances change, so treat this list as a snapshot in time. Always check current numbers before you invest, since a stock’s yield today may differ from what’s shown here.
Researched and Analyzed by Alexander Rullan, September 3, 2026.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions.