Dividend stocks are a beacon of stability in a turbulent market, especially during times of geopolitical tension. While global markets may be volatile, dividend-paying stocks offer a steady income stream, providing investors with a sense of security and a reliable return. In this article, I'll delve into three dividend-paying stocks that have caught the attention of top Wall Street analysts, offering a glimpse into the potential for steady income and long-term growth.
Enterprise Products Partners: A Midstream Energy Giant
Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) is a publicly traded partnership that provides midstream energy services, connecting producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products, and petrochemicals. With a quarterly distribution of 55 cents per unit, or $2.20 on an annualized basis, EPD stock boasts a generous dividend yield of approximately 5.9%.
RBC Capital analyst Elvira Scotto has been bullish on EPD, reiterating a buy rating and slightly increasing her price target to $42. Her optimism is grounded in the potential for higher commodity prices, which she believes will have a muted impact on EPD's Q1 2026 results. The forward curve for West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) has increased, providing a constructive backdrop for the year ahead.
Scotto's confidence in EPD is further bolstered by her expectation of a step-up in 2027, driven by the startup of growth projects. She views EPD as a core MLP with both offensive and defensive features, ranking No. 68 among over 12,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. Her successful track record, with ratings achieving 72% success and an average return of 16.3%, underscores her expertise and market insight.
Chord Energy: Benefiting from Higher Oil Prices
Chord Energy (CHRD) is an independent exploration and production company, primarily operating in the Williston Basin. With a base dividend of $1.30, or an annualized dividend of $5.20, CHRD stock offers a modest dividend yield of 3.9%.
Morgan Stanley analyst Devin McDermott has upgraded CHRD to buy, citing its strong free cash flows and shareholder returns. With WTI at $80 a barrel, Chord Energy boasts a free cash flow yield of 18%, significantly outperforming the oil exploration and production group average of 12%. McDermott's positive outlook is further supported by the company's capital efficiency gains and a positive rate of change on its longer lateral program.
The analyst expects 80% of Chord's planned wells to be three- to four-mile laterals in 2026, up from 45% last year. This shift towards longer lateral wells represents a significant portion of the company's long-term inventory, indicating a strategic move towards more efficient and productive drilling.
Devon Energy: Merging for Growth
Devon Energy (DVN) is an oil and gas producer with a diversified multi-basin portfolio, including a strong acreage position in the Delaware Basin. In February 2026, Devon announced its merger with Coterra Energy (CTRA) to form a larger oil company with a dominant position in the Permian Basin.
Following the completion of the merger, Devon Energy plans to raise its quarterly dividend by 31% to approximately 32 cents per share, up from 24 cents in the first quarter. At an annualized dividend of 96 cents per share, DVN stock offers a modest dividend yield of about 2%.
McDermott, who is bullish on Devon Energy, has reiterated a buy rating and raised his price target to $59. He highlights the merger's potential to create the second-largest U.S. independent exploration and production company by total volume and a premier shale operator. The deal is expected to be accretive to Devon's free cash flow per share, with $60 WTI and $3.75 HH natural gas.
Devon's business optimization plan is on track, with an 85% achievement of the $1 billion annual pre-tax free cash flow increase target as of the fourth quarter 2025 earnings. McDermott expects Devon to generate a free cash flow yield of 18% and a total return yield of 12% at $80 WTI, outperforming the oil exploration and production average.
Conclusion: Dividend Stocks as a Haven
These three dividend-paying stocks, Enterprise Products Partners, Chord Energy, and Devon Energy, have captured the attention of top Wall Street analysts for their potential for steady income and long-term growth. While geopolitical tensions may continue to create market volatility, these stocks offer a sense of stability and a reliable return, making them attractive investments for investors seeking a balanced approach to portfolio management.
