Investors are increasingly turning to dividend stocks as a strategy to mitigate market volatility, with nearly $22 billion invested in dividend exchange-traded funds during the first quarter of 2026, marking the highest inflow since mid-2022, according to Morningstar.
This shift comes amid a turbulent market influenced by geopolitical tensions, fluctuating oil prices, and concerns over artificial intelligence. Dan Lefkovitz, a strategist at Morningstar, noted that in uncertain markets, investors often seek the relative safety of dividend-paying stocks.
However, he cautioned against trying to time the market, emphasizing that while dividend stocks can provide both income and total return over the long term, investors should adopt a buy-and-hold strategy and be prepared for performance cycles.
CNBC Pro identified several high-dividend stocks favored by analysts, including AbbVie, which offers a 3.4% dividend yield and has a 26% upside to its average price target, with 74% of analysts rating it a buy. Bank of America's Jason Gerberry recently upgraded AbbVie following strong first-quarter earnings.
Chevron, benefiting from rising oil prices, has seen its stock rise 21% year to date, with a 3.9% dividend yield and nearly 17% upside, despite mixed earnings results. PNC Financial Services, with a 3.1% yield and 16.5% upside, and utility company PPL, also yielding 3.1% with a 17% upside, are among other stocks with strong analyst support.
Overall, these companies are positioned well in their respective sectors, appealing to investors seeking stability and income in a volatile market