Three high-yield dividend stocks for 2026

Recent commentary notes that while the S&P 500 (SPX) has rebounded after flirting with a correction, many growth stocks remain volatile and bond yields have risen. Uncertainty about inflation, the job market and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s next policy steps has left the central bank described as virtually paralyzed, prompting some investors to consider dividend stocks with above‑average yields.

The highlighted group of dividend stocks is characterized in the reports as paying sizeable dividends, generating strong cash flow, operating resilient business models and maintaining long track records as dependable income sources. Within this context, AbbVie (ABBV), Enbridge and Realty Income are presented as candidates for 2026 and beyond.

AbbVie’s forward dividend yield is reported at 3.3%, described as slightly more than twice the S&P 500 (SPX)’s 1.1% yield, a threshold used by the author to define high-yield stocks. AbbVie is identified as a Dividend King, having raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years when including the period it was part of Abbott Laboratories (ABT).

Value metrics cited in the articles show AbbVie trading in the mid-teens on forward earnings, below the average forward price-to-earnings ratios of 20 for the S&P 500 ([SPX]) and 17.4 for the S&P 500 healthcare sector. The stock’s current data from one source include a market capitalization of about $369 billion, a recent share price near $208.38, and a dividend yield of approximately 3.23%.

On the business side, AbbVie’s portfolio features several drugs with strong sales momentum, notably autoimmune therapies Rinvoq and Skyrizi. The company is also reported to have multiple promising late-stage programs in its pipeline that could support growth over the next few years, complementing its income and value profile.

Enbridge is described as offering a dividend yield of 5.4% and has increased its dividend for 31 consecutive years. Unlike many energy stocks that move with oil prices, Enbridge’s operations are presented as more stable because its crude oil and natural gas pipelines function like toll roads, charging fees based on transported volumes rather than commodity prices.

The company operates more than 18,000 miles of crude oil pipelines and more than 19,000 miles of natural gas pipelines. It is also described as the largest natural gas utility in North America by volume, delivering around 9.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to 7.1 million customers, which adds a regulated utility element to its business.

One source notes that Enbridge has identified roughly $50 billion of growth opportunities through the end of the decade and expects to expand across all parts of its business, with particular emphasis on natural gas transmission. Recent trading data show Enbridge shares around $52.69 with a dividend yield of about 5.20% and a market capitalization near $115 billion.

Realty Income’s dividend yield is cited at about 5%, and the real estate investment trust has raised its dividend for 31 consecutive years. A key distinguishing feature is that it pays dividends monthly instead of quarterly, which the reports note as a differentiator among income stocks.

The REIT owns 15,511 properties, reporting an occupancy rate of 98.9%. Its tenant base includes 1,761 tenants across 92 industries, with many tenants operating in areas described as resilient, such as grocery, convenience, home improvement and dollar stores. One article notes that the company’s occupancy rate has not fallen below 96.6% this century, including during the Great Recession and the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Realty Income is also reported to have growth prospects in Europe, where it sees an $8.5 trillion total addressable market with limited competition. Recent trading figures include a share price around $65.06, a market capitalization of approximately $61 billion and a dividend yield close to 4.97%, according to one source.