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Today’s dispatch covers top dividend picks from Barron’s, Forbes, and Jim Cramer. And with the exception of Barron’s, every one of these sources was pop-up city. To spare your eyes from autoplay car commercials and Google ad banners that take up 40% of the screen, here’s a summary of what experts believe are the best dividend stocks for 2026.
Barron's Top Dividend Picks
Barron’s magazine doesn’t get much discussion online, but the publication tends to be value-oriented, and its stock recommendations generally perform well.
Barron’s 2025 stock picks delivered an average total return of nearly 28%, significantly outperforming the broader market. In a recent article titled “10 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks to Buy for 2026,” the magazine interviewed Chris Senyek, chief investment strategist at Wolfe Research, for income-focused investment ideas.
The magazine’s top dividend picks for 2026 won’t win any awards for creativity, but they include many recognizable stalwarts.
Top picks include AbbVie Inc. ($ABBV), The Coca-Cola Company ($KO), FedEx Corporation ($FDX), and The Procter & Gamble Company ($PG).
According to the article, "Senyek expects sectors such as real estate, energy, and utilities—which are considered bond proxies because of their relatively high yields—to be an attractive option in 2026, as well."
Forbes Top Dividend Picks
While Barron’s leaned toward conservative blue chips, Forbes’ “7 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for 2026” takes a stranger path.
Television and media conglomerate Nexstar Media Group ($NXST) makes the list, as does grocery-anchored REIT Phillips Edison & Company ($PECO). But other picks include Annaly Capital Management ($NLY) and Victory Capital Holdings ($VCTR), two firms operating in the financial sector.
There were no traditional blue chips on this list, and Annaly Capital Management has a negative 5-year compound annual dividend growth rate.
Jim Cramer’s Top Dividend Industrial Pick
It’s easy to make fun of Jim Cramer’s trading advice. He’s become something of a punching bag in the investment community. Personally, I don’t like bullying people. And while I don’t watch his show or follow his advice, some of his dividend picks are surprisingly good.
Take Cramer’s top dividend pick in the industrial sector for 2026: Caterpillar Inc. ($CAT).
Cramer has recommended Caterpillar for many years, and it has been a long-term market beater. The stock has delivered a 10-year average annual total return of 26.76%. While Caterpillar is best known for heavy machinery like bulldozers and backhoes, the company is also a powerful consumer brand, generating $3.01 billion in licensed merchandise sales, think jackets and toys, in 2024.
Despite a year-to-date return of more than 60%, Caterpillar still offers a 1.04% starting dividend yield.
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Thank you for reading and I hope your week is off to a fantastic start!
Also, this month’s edition of “3 Stocks I'm Buying” (portfolio is up 28.39% YTD) was released early due to a looming special dividend deadline. If you missed it, you can read the report here.
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Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. It is not financial advice, always do your own research.
