Top analysts recommend these 3 dividend stocks for solid returns

Global stock markets remain volatile amid uncertainty in the Middle East and a focus on artificial intelligence stocks. Investors seeking steady income can bolster their portfolios by adding dividend stocks with attractive yields.

Top Wall Street analysts can help pick stocks that pay regular dividends while having the ability to generate capital appreciation and boost total returns.

Here are three dividend-paying stocks that are highlighted by Wall Street’s top pros, as tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.

Viper Energy

Viper Energy is a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy and is focused on owning and acquiring mineral and royalty interests, primarily in the Permian Basin. For Q1 2026, the company declared a base dividend of 38 cents per share and a variable dividend of 30 cents per share. VNOM offers a dividend yield of 5%.

Recently, RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold initiated coverage of Viper Energy stock with a buy rating and a price target of $58. “The company is advantaged given its scale, core Permian focus, inventory duration, and aligned operating partner,” said Hanold.

Specifically, the five-star analyst highlighted that Viper’s Permian-focused asset base and significant scale relative to peers position it as a best-in-class operator. Hanold added that VNOM’s 75% liquids-weighted production mix offers meaningful leverage in a strong oil price environment.

Additionally, Hanold projects Viper’s inventory life at 15 to 20 years, considering the current development pace of its operating partners, which is significantly higher than that of peers. Among the other advantages, the analyst highlighted VNOM’s relationship with Diamondback Energy, which has about a 39% ownership in the company. Hanold said Viper’s relationship with Diamondback gives it an edge over its peers, given that it provides visibility into forward activity and production, high-margin organic growth, and steady revenue and cash flows.

Finally, Hanold highlighted Viper’s solid balance sheet. He noted that the company is investment-grade rated and has a lower cost of capital, which would support sustainable distributions and strategic mergers and acquisitions. The analyst also emphasized VNOM’s attractive capital returns framework.

Hanold ranks No. 152 among more than 12,200 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 67% of the time, delivering an average return of 20.2%. See Viper Energy Stock Buybacks on TipRanks.

Permian Resources

Hanold is also bullish on independent oil and natural gas company, Permian Resources. He has a buy rating on PR stock with a price target of $27. Permian announced a base dividend of 16 cents per share for the second quarter of 2026. PR stock offers a dividend yield of 3.2%.

In a recent research note, Hanold updated his estimates for Permian Resources, Devon Energy, and Matador Resources to reflect the impact of the acquisition of undeveloped acres in the New Mexico Delaware Basin by…