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Dividend stocks are showing their strength in May 2025, with the best dividend stocks 2025 delivering both substantial yields and impressive price growth. For investors seeking passive income, high dividend stocks have become increasingly attractive. The Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index, which tracks the top 100 highest-yielding stocks, has gained 16.2% over the 12 months through April 30, 2025 – clearly demonstrating the power of dividend investing.
Many investors fixate on stock price appreciation alone, but dividend payments play a crucial role in boosting overall returns. The S&P 500's average annual total return, including dividends, has historically outpaced the index's annual value change by about two percentage points. To put this in perspective: a $5,000 investment growing at 8% annually (with dividends) could reach over $24,000 after 20 years, compared to just $16,000 at 6% without dividends.
I've examined the market to identify the best dividend stocks worth your consideration right now. These picks combine attractive yields with strong fundamentals, positioning them as some of the highest dividend yield stocks for continued success throughout 2025 and beyond.
Leading our best dividend stocks 2025 roundup is International Seaways Inc (NYSE: INSW), a maritime powerhouse offering remarkable dividend payouts alongside solid operational performance in the energy transportation sector.
International Seaways stands as one of the largest tanker companies worldwide, specializing in energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products.
Operationally, INSW functions across two key segments:
INSW boasts an impressive forward dividend yield ranging between 13.3% and 15.59%, positioning it among the highest dividend yield stocks of 2025. In March 2025, the company paid a combined dividend of USD 0.70 per share, consisting of a regular quarterly dividend of USD 0.12 and a supplemental dividend of USD 0.58.
Most recently, INSW declared a combined dividend of USD 0.60 per share for June 2025, representing 75% of its adjusted net income. After this payment, total dividend distributions over the preceding twelve months will reach USD 4.00 per share.
First quarter 2025 results showcase INSW's financial health, with net income of USD 50 million (USD 1.00 per diluted share). Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 reached USD 91 million, supporting the company's robust dividend policy.
Looking forward, INSW maintains a strong financial position with total liquidity of approximately USD 673 million as of March 31, 2025, including USD 133 million in cash. Analysts anticipate continued solid performance with EPS estimates for the next quarter ranging between $0.91 and $2.26.
INSW is ideally suited for:
Income investors seeking substantial quarterly payouts backed by strong operational performance. With its strategy of returning 75% of adjusted net income to shareholders, INSW offers reliable income potential.
Dividend hunters wanting exposure to the energy sector – a market segment influenced by different factors than traditional energy stocks, thereby offering portfolio diversification.
Long-term investors comfortable with cyclical industries who appreciate INSW's disciplined capital allocation strategy and healthy balance sheet, which positions the company to weather shipping market fluctuations.
Adding retail fashion diversity to our best dividend stocks 2025 selection, Buckle, Inc (NYSE: BKE) brings a unique combination of stable dividends and specialized retail expertise to dividend-focused investment strategies.
Buckle operates as a specialty retailer delivering exceptional service through curated fashion experiences. With over 55 years in business, the company now manages more than 440 retail stores across 42 states. Buckle targets primarily the 18-35 age demographic and has established itself as a denim destination, offering various fits, styles, and finishes from leading brands, including their exclusive brand, BKE.
The company's merchandise portfolio includes:
Buckle currently offers a regular annual dividend of $1.40 per share (3.5% yield), with total dividends reaching $3.90 per share (9.7% yield) over the past year when including special dividends. The company maintains quarterly payments of $0.35 per share, with the most recent dividend paid on April 29, 2025.
What truly sets Buckle's dividend policy apart is its consistent special dividends. In January 2025, the company paid a special dividend of $2.50 per share on top of its regular quarterly payment. Over the past decade, these special dividends have ranged from $0.75 to $5.65 per share, substantially boosting total shareholder returns.
For fiscal year 2025, Buckle reported revenue of $1.22 billion with operating margins of 19.8%. Analyst forecasts for 2025 estimate Buckle's stock price to range between $33.45 and $48.81, with an average of $41.13.
Buckle stock is ideally suited for:
Income investors seeking consistent quarterly dividends supplemented by substantial special payouts. The company's history of special dividends enhances total yield potential beyond the stated 3.51% forward yield.
Retail sector diversification within dividend portfolios. As a specialty retailer with strong operating margins and modest debt levels, Buckle offers exposure to consumer discretionary spending alongside income generation.
Value-oriented investors comfortable with retail sector cyclicality. Trading below average analyst price targets, Buckle presents potential for capital appreciation alongside its dividend income stream.
Among the diverse offerings in our best dividend stocks 2025 lineup, Resources Connection Inc (NASDAQ: RGP) stands out as a compelling professional services option with an impressive dividend profile despite facing recent performance challenges.
Resources Connection operates as a global consulting firm providing business services through three distinct engagement brands:
Based in Dallas, Texas, RGP serves approximately 1,700 clients globally, including over 88% of the Fortune 100. The company maintains a global community of 2,600+ experts across four key regions.
RGP currently offers a remarkable forward dividend yield of 10.29% as of May 2025, placing it among the highest dividend stocks in today's market. The company pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share, distributed quarterly at $0.14 per share.
Recent dividend highlights include:
What's particularly notable is that RGP's dividend yield exceeds the Industrials sector average by 577%, with the current yield substantially higher than its 5-year historical average of 4.2%.
RGP faces growth challenges after reporting a net loss of $44.10 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, ending February 22, 2025. However, analysts project earnings growth of 120.2% per annum over the next three years, suggesting potential recovery ahead.
Revenue projections show modest improvement with expectations of $565 million for fiscal 2026, representing 2.5% annual growth.
I believe RGP is particularly well-suited for:
Income-focused investors willing to accept higher volatility for exceptional yield. The stock's 10.29% dividend yield significantly outperforms both the NASDAQ companies average of 4.17% and typical fixed-income alternatives.
Investors seeking exposure to business services with a focus on professional consulting and outsourcing, therefore diversifying beyond traditional dividend sectors.
Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd (NASDAQ: PANL) offers a unique maritime opportunity in our best dividend stocks 2025 lineup, providing steady income potential even amid shipping sector volatility.
Pangaea operates as a specialized maritime logistics and transportation company serving industrial customers who need dry bulk cargo movement. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, Pangaea manages a fleet of 41 owned vessels, supplemented by chartered-in ships.
Their operations span four strategic locations:
This global presence allows them to provide 24/7/365 service to clients worldwide.
PANL currently offers a forward dividend yield of 4.6%. The company has maintained consistent quarterly dividend payments since June 2019, with payouts ranging from $0.02 to $0.10 per share.
Their most recent quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share was declared on May 8, 2025, with payment scheduled for June 16, 2025.
The growth prospects for Pangaea look particularly promising. Analysts project revenue to grow 10.73% for 2025, reaching $594.09 million, with an additional 14.74% expansion to $681.68 million expected in 2026.
Even more impressive is the projected earnings trajectory. EPS is forecast to reach $0.23 in 2025 before jumping dramatically to $0.84 in 2026 – representing a massive 263.23% increase. This earnings acceleration could support further dividend increases in the coming years.
Wall Street clearly shares this optimism, with analysts maintaining a "Strong Buy" rating on the stock.
PANL is particularly well-suited for:
Value-oriented investors comfortable with cyclical industries. The shipping sector experiences natural cycles, but Pangaea's specialized ice-class vessel expertise provides an economic moat that helps weather industry downturns better than many competitors.
Portfolio diversifiers looking beyond traditional dividend sectors. Maritime logistics responds to different economic factors than standard financial or retail dividend payers, potentially providing balance when other sectors struggle.
Adding stability to our best dividend stocks 2025 collection, Altria Group (NYSE: MO) stands out with its remarkable dividend history spanning decades, despite operating in a challenging industry environment.
Altria maintains its position as America's leading tobacco manufacturer with a portfolio focused on smokeable and oral tobacco products. The company's flagship brands include:
Altria currently offers a forward dividend yield of 7.1%, placing it among the higher-yielding dividend stocks in the S&P 500. The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share, payable on July 10, 2025.
What sets Altria apart is its 56-year track record of dividend increases – making it one of the most reliable dividend aristocrats for long-term investors. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of approximately 79%, balancing shareholder generosity with financial sustainability.
For 2025, Altria projects adjusted diluted EPS growth between 2% and 5%, driven primarily by pricing power in its core tobacco business. The company is steadily transitioning toward reduced-risk products, with on! nicotine pouches showing double-digit growth in Q1 2025.
Analysts remain cautious about long-term growth given declining smoking rates. Altria's strategy focuses on maintaining pricing power, implementing strict cost controls, and executing strategic share repurchases to deliver ongoing shareholder value.
Altria is particularly well-suited for:
Income-focused investors who prioritize reliability over explosive growth. The company's half-century dividend increase streak delivers exceptional income dependability even amid industry challenges.
Defensive portfolio builders seeking counter-cyclical investments. Historically, Altria has shown remarkable resilience during economic downturns, often outperforming broader markets in challenging periods.
Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) stands as a midstream energy powerhouse in our best dividend stocks 2025 lineup, delivering consistent income for dividend-focused investors through its vast pipeline network.
Enterprise Products Partners operates as one of North America's largest midstream energy service providers, with an impressive network of about 50,000 miles of pipelines transporting natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, and refined products. The company's business spans four key segments:
Based in Houston, Texas, EPD has positioned itself strategically between energy producers and consumers. The company functions essentially as a "toll-taker," charging customers for using its infrastructure rather than being directly exposed to volatile commodity prices. This business model creates stability even during energy market fluctuations.
EPD currently offers a forward dividend yield of 6.74% as of May 14, 2025, which substantially outperforms the 10-year Treasury's yield of 4.3%. The company increased its distribution to $2.14 per unit earlier this year, marking its 25th consecutive year of dividend growth.
What makes EPD particularly attractive is its solid distribution coverage with a ratio of 1.7 times distributable cash flow in 2024. This healthy coverage ratio indicates both the company's generosity and the sustainability of its dividend policy over the long term.
Looking ahead, EPD has $7.60 billion of major capital projects under construction, with $6.00 billion expected to be completed in 2025. These projects include new natural gas processing plants in the Permian Basin and expansion of ethane and ethylene marine terminals.
Wall Street analysts project EPD's earnings per unit to increase modestly to approximately $2.66 in 2025, with an average price target of $36.60, suggesting potential upside of 14.38% from current levels.
EPD is particularly well-suited for income-focused investors seeking reliable, steady payouts with modest growth potential. Its investment-grade balance sheet, fee-based business model, and strategic focus on natural gas infrastructure provide both current income and positioning for future energy transition needs.
This stock offers an excellent combination of yield, safety, and modest growth that's increasingly difficult to find in today's market environment.
Rounding out our best dividend stocks 2025 collection, UGI Corporation (NYSE: UGI) delivers consistent utility-sector returns through its well-diversified energy distribution and services portfolio.
UGI Corporation functions as an international energy distribution and services company with four key business segments:
UGI currently offers a forward dividend yield of 4.3%, outpacing the Gas Utilities industry median of 4.0%. The company has maintained consistent quarterly dividend payments since April 2016, with disbursements ranging from $0.23 to $0.38 per share.
Most recently, UGI declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share, scheduled for payment on July 1, 2025. Over the past five years, UGI's dividend yield has averaged 4.2% annually, backed by a solid 5.1% compound annual dividend growth rate.
Looking ahead, UGI has raised its fiscal 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $3.00-$3.15 per share. This positive outlook stems from strong second quarter performance, with adjusted diluted EPS climbing 12% year-over-year.
Total revenues reached $2.67 billion for the recent quarter, representing an 8.1% increase from the same period in 2024.
The variety among our top picks provides options for different investment approaches. While yields are important, financial stability ultimately determines dividend sustainability. Most featured companies maintain healthy payout ratios and strong balance sheets despite operating in cyclical industries. This positions them to weather market fluctuations while continuing to reward shareholders throughout 2025 and beyond.
In today's market conditions, these dividend champions offer compelling alternatives to traditional fixed-income investments. Treasury yields around 4.3% simply can't compete with many of our selections that deliver twice that income or more. Income-focused investors will find particular value in this carefully curated list during uncertain economic times.
I believe the remainder of 2025 will present both challenges and opportunities for dividend investors. However, companies with proven dividend track records, pricing power, and strategic growth initiatives should continue delivering reliable income streams regardless of broader market movements.
At 8FIGURES, we’re helping investors make smarter decisions with less guesswork. Our AI Portfolio Analyst delivers intelligent, personalized insights based on your goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategy:
This isn’t one-size-fits-all advice — it’s tailored, actionable analysis built for how real investors think.
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