2024 High Dividend Stocks List

Article updated on September 4th, 2024 by Bob Ciura

Spreadsheet data updated daily

High dividend stocks are stocks with a dividend yield well in excess of the market average dividend yield of ~1.3%.

The resources in this report focus on truly high yielding securities, often with dividend yields multiples higher than the market average.

Resource #1: The High Dividend Stocks List Spreadsheet

 

Note: The spreadsheet uses the Wilshire 5000 as the universe of securities from which to select, plus a few additional securities we screen for with 5%+ dividend yields.

The free high dividend stocks list spreadsheet has our full list of ~230 individual securities (stocks, REITs, MLPs, etc.) with 5%+ dividend yields.

The high dividend stocks spreadsheet has important metrics to help you find compelling ultra high yield income investing ideas. These metrics include:

• Market cap
• Payout ratio
• Dividend yield
• Trailing P/E ratio
• Annualized 5-year dividend growth rate

Resource #2: The 7 Best High Yield Stocks Now
This resource analyzes the 7 best high-yield stocks in detail. The criteria we use to rank high dividend securities in this resource are:

• Is in the 870+ income security Sure Analysis Research Database
• Rank based on dividend yield, from highest to lowest
• Dividend Risk Scores of C or better
• Based in the U.S.

Additionally, a maximum of three stocks are allowed for any single sector to ensure diversification.

Resource #3: The High Dividend 50 Series
The High Dividend 50 Series is where we analyze the 50 highest-yielding securities in the Sure Analysis Research Database. The series consists of 50 stand-alone analysis reports on these securities.

Resource #4: More High-Yield Investing Research
– How to calculate your income per month based on dividend yield
– The risks of high-yield investing
– Other high dividend research

The 7 Best High Yield Stocks Now

This resource analyzes the 7 best high yielding securities in the Sure Analysis Research Database as ranked by the following criteria:

• Rank based on dividend yield, from highest to lowest
• Dividend Risk Scores of C or better
• Based in the U.S.

Note: Ranking data is from the current edition of the Sure Analysis spreadsheet.

Additionally, a maximum of three stocks are allowed for any single market sector to ensure diversification.

It’s difficult to define ‘best’. Here, we are using ‘best’ in terms of highest yields with reasonable and better dividend safety.

A tremendous amount of research goes into finding these 7 high yield securities. We analyze more than 850 income securities every quarter in the Sure Analysis Research Database. This is real analysis done by our analyst team, not a quick computer screen.

“So I think it was just looking at different companies and I always thought if you looked at 10 companies, you’d find one that’s interesting, if you’d look at 20, you’d find two, or if you look at 100 you’ll find 10. The person that turns over the most rocks wins the game. I’ve also found this to be true in my personal investing.”
– Investing legend Peter Lynch

Click here to download a PDF report for just one of the 850+ income securities we cover in Sure Analysis to get an idea of the level of work that goes into finding compelling income investments for our audience.

The 7 best high yield securities are listed in order by dividend yield below, from lowest to highest.

High Dividend Stock #7: Universal Health Realty Income Trust (UHT)

• Dividend Yield: 6.6%
• Dividend Risk Score: B

Universal Health Realty Income Trust operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT), specializing in the healthcare sector.

The trust owns healthcare and human service-related facilities. Its property portfolio includes acute care hospitals, medical office buildings, rehabilitation hospitals, behavioral healthcare facilities, sub-acute care facilities and childcare centers.

On July 24, 2024, Universal Health Realty Income Trust (UHT) announced its earnings for the three-month period ending June 30, 2024. The company reported a net income of $5.3 million, or $.38 per diluted share, compared to $3.5 million, or $.25 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2023.

This increase in net income by $1.8 million, or $.13 per diluted share, was attributed to several factors.

There was a $1.5 million, or $.11 per diluted share, increase due to reduced expenses related to a property in Chicago, Illinois, including $862,000 from demolition expenses in the second quarter of 2023 and $563,000 from a property tax reduction recorded in the second quarter of 2024.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on UHT (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

High Dividend Stock #6: Whirlpool Corp. (WHR)

• Dividend Yield: 7.1%
• Dividend Risk Score: C

Whirlpool Corporation is a leading home appliance company with well-known brands like Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag. Roughly half of the company’s sales are in North America, but Whirlpool does business around the world under twelve principal brand names.

On July 24th, 2024, Whirpool reported second quarter 2024 results. Sales for the quarter totaled $3.99 billion, down 16.8% from second quarter 2023.

Ongoing earnings per diluted share was $2.39 for the quarter, 43% lower than the previous year’s $4.21 per share.

Whirlpool updated its 2024 guidance, which now sees ongoing earnings-per-share coming in at a midpoint of $12.00 (down from $14.00 previously) on revenue of $16.9 billion (unchanged).

Additionally, Whirlpool expects cash provided by operating activities to total roughly $1.05 billion, with $500 million in free cash flow.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on WHR (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

High Dividend Stock #5: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD)

• Dividend Yield: 7.2%
• Dividend Risk Score: B

Enterprise Products Partners was founded in 1968. It is structured as a Master Limited Partnership, or MLP, and operates as an oil and gas storage and transportation company.

Enterprise Products has a large asset base which consists of nearly 50,000 miles of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products pipelines.

It also has storage capacity of more than 250 million barrels. These assets collect fees based on volumes of materials transported and stored.

Source: Investor Presentation

Enterprise Products Partners reported second-quarter 2024 earnings with an EPS of $0.64, missing estimates by $0.03, and revenue of $13.48 billion, which fell short by $787.40 million despite a 26.59% year-over-year increase.

Net income attributable to common unitholders was $1.4 billion, a 12% increase compared to $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2023. Distributable Cash Flow (DCF) rose to $1.8 billion, up from $1.7 billion in the same period last year, providing 1.6 times coverage of the declared distribution. Enterprise increased its quarterly distribution by 5% to $0.525 per unit and repurchased approximately $40 million of its common units.

The company’s Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations (CFFO) was $2.1 billion, up from $1.9 billion in the second quarter of 2023, with an annualized Adjusted CFFO of $8.4 billion.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on EPD (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

High Dividend Stock #4: Altria Group (MO)

• Dividend Yield: 7.5%
• Dividend Risk Score: B

Altria is a tobacco stock that sells cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, and more under a variety of brands, including Marlboro, Skoal, and Copenhagen, among others.

The company also has a 35% investment stake in e-cigarette maker JUUL, and a 45% stake in the cannabis company Cronos Group (CRON).

The majority of Altria’s revenue and profit is still made up of smokeable tobacco products. The Marlboro brand still enjoys the leading market share in the U.S. market.

Source: Investor Presentation

Altria Group reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2024, falling short of both EPS and revenue estimates. The company posted an EPS of $1.31, missing expectations by $0.03, and generated revenue of $5.28 billion, reflecting a 2.96% decline year-over-year and missing the mark by $115.38 million.

Key financial highlights for the quarter included net revenues of $6.21 billion, a 4.6% decrease compared to Q2 2023. Revenues net of excise taxes were $5.28 billion, down 3.0% year-over-year.

Despite these declines, the company reported a significant increase in reported diluted EPS, which rose by 85.7% from the prior year to $2.21. Adjusted diluted EPS remained flat compared to Q2 2023 at $1.31.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on Altria (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

High Dividend Stock #3: Western Union (WU)

• Dividend Yield: 7.7%
• Dividend Risk Score: C

The Western Union Company is the world leader in the business of domestic and international money transfers. The company has a network of approximately 550,000 agents globally and operates in more than 200 countries.

About 90% of agents are outside of the US. Western Union operates two business segments, Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) and Other (bill payments in the US and Argentina).

Western Union reported Q2 2024 results on July 30th, 2024. Company-wide revenue decreased 9% and diluted GAAP earnings per share decreased 13% to $0.41 in the quarter compared to $0.47 in the prior year.

Revenue fell on challenges in Iraq despite higher retail and branded digital transactions. Growth occurred in North America, and Latin and Central America. But lower revenue in Europe, Middle East, and Asia were headwinds.

CMT revenue fell 10% to $965.0M from $1,072.2M on a year-over-year basis even with 4% higher transaction volumes. Branded Digital Money Transfer CMT revenues increased 5% as volumes rose 13%. Digital revenue is now 24% of total CMT revenue and 31% of transactions.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on WU (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

High Dividend Stock #2: MPLX LP (MPLX)

• Dividend Yield: 8.1%
• Dividend Risk Score: C

MPLX LP is a Master Limited Partnership that was formed by the Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) in 2012. In 2019, MPLX acquired Andeavor Logistics LP.

The business operates in two segments:

• Logistics and Storage, which relates to crude oil and refined petroleum products
• Gathering and Processing, which relates to natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs)

MPLX has generated strong growth since the coronavirus pandemic ended.

Source: Investor Presentation

In early August, MPLX reported (8/6/24) financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow (DCF) per share grew 8% and 7%, respectively, over the prior year’s quarter, primarily thanks to higher tariff rates and increased gas volumes.

MPLX maintained a healthy consolidated debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.4x and a solid distribution coverage ratio of 1.6.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on MPLX (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

High Dividend Stock #1: Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)

• Dividend Yield: 11.1%
• Dividend Risk Score: C

Walgreens Boots Alliance is the largest retail pharmacy in both the United States and Europe. Through its flagship Walgreens business and other business ventures, the $13 billion market cap company has a presence in 9 countries, employs more than 330,000 people and has about 12,500 stores in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.

On June 27th, 2024, Walgreens reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Sales grew 3% but earnings-per share decreased 36% over last year’s quarter, from $0.99 to $0.63, due to intense competition, which has eroded profit margin.

Source: Investor Presentation

Earnings-per-share missed the analysts’ consensus by $0.08. Walgreens has exceeded the analysts’ estimates in 13 of the last 16 quarters.

However, as the pandemic has subsided and competition has heated in the retail pharmaceutical industry, Walgreens is facing tough comparisons. It lowered its guidance for earnings-per-share in 2024 from $3.20-$3.35 to $2.80-$2.95. Accordingly, we have lowered our forecast from $3.28 to $2.87.

Click here to download our most recent Sure Analysis report on WBA (preview of page 1 of 3 shown below):

The High Dividend 50 Series

The High Dividend 50 Series is analysis on the 50 highest-yielding Sure Analysis Research Database stocks, excluding royalty trusts, BDCs, REITs, and MLPs.

Click on a company’s name to view the high dividend 50 series article for that company. A link to the specific Sure Analysis Research Database report page for each security is included as well.

More High-Yield Investing Resources

How To Calculate Your Monthly Income Based On Dividend Yield

A common question for income investors is “how much money can I expect to receive per month from my investment?”

To find your monthly income, follow these steps:

1. Find your investment’s dividend yield
   Note: Dividend yield can be calculated as dividends per share divided by share price
2. Multiply it by the current value of your holding
   Note: If you haven’t yet invested, multiply dividend yield by the amount you plan to invest
3. Divide this number by 12 to find monthly income

To find the monthly income from your entire portfolio, repeat the above calculation for each of your holdings and add them together.

You can also use this formula backwards to find the dividend yield you need from your investments to make a certain amount of monthly dividend income.

The example below assumes you want to know what dividend yield you need on a $240,000 investment to generate $1,000/month in dividend income.

1. Multiply $1,000 by 12 to find annual income target of $12,000
2. Divide $12,000 by your investment amount of $240,000 to find your target yield of 5.0%

In practice most dividend stocks pay dividends quarterly, so you would actually receive 3x the monthly amount quarterly instead of receiving a payment every month. However, some stocks do actually pay monthly dividends.

You can see our monthly dividend stocks list here.

The Risks Of High-Yield Investing

Investing in high-yield stocks is a great way to generate income. But it is not without risks.

First, stock prices fluctuate. Investors need to understand their risk tolerance before investing in high dividend stocks. Share price fluctuations means that your investment can (and almost certainly will) decline in value, at least temporarily (and possibly permanently) do to market volatility.

Second, businesses grow and decline. Investing in a stock gives you fractional ownership in the underlying business. Some businesses grow over time. These businesses are likely to pay higher dividends over time.

The Dividend Champions are an excellent example of this; each has paid rising dividends for 25+ consecutive years.

What’s dangerous is when a business declines. Dividends are paid out of a company’s cash flows. If the business sees its cash flows decline, or worse is losing money, it may reduce or eliminate its dividend. Business decline is a real risk with high yield investing. Business declines often coincide with and or accelerate during recessions.

A company’s payout ratio gives a good gauge of how much ‘room’ a company has to pay its dividend. The payout ratio is calculated as dividends divided by income. The lower the payout ratio, the better, because dividends have more earnings coverage.

A company with a payout ratio over 100% is paying out more in dividends than it is making in profits, a long-term unsustainable situation. A company with a payout ratio of 50% is making double in income what it is paying out in dividends, so it has ‘room’ for earnings to decline significantly without reducing its dividend.

Third, management teams can change their dividend policies. Even if a company isn’t declining, the company’s management team may change priorities and reduce or eliminate its dividend. In practice, this typically occurs if a company has a high level of debt and wants to focus on debt reduction. But it could in theory happen to any dividend paying stock.

The risks of high yield investing can be reduced (but not eliminated) by investing in higher quality businesses in a diversified portfolio of 20 or more stocks. This reduces both business decline risk (by investing in high quality businesses) and the shock to your portfolio if any one stock does reduce or eliminate its dividend (through diversification).

Other High Dividend Research

The free spreadsheet of 5%+ dividend yield stocks in this article gives you more than 200 high yield income securities to review. You can download it below:

Investors should continue to monitor each stock to make sure their fundamentals and growth remain on track, particularly among stocks with extremely high dividend yields.

See the resources below to generate additional compelling investment ideas for dividend growth stocks and/or high-yield investment securities.