Many investors have been seeking out the highest dividend stocks. And by that I mean companies that currently pay a high dividend per share. It’s no surprise dividend stocks are considered a safe-haven right now. They have historically done well during recessionary periods, as they provide a level of income, even as stocks overall may be falling. Many companies will even increase their dividend payouts during bear markets, especially if they have a surplus of available cash.

Some of the richest people in history have relied heavily on dividend investing, not only for wealth building, but also for enjoyment.

John D. Rockefeller once famously said:

Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.

highest dividend stocks

What to Look for When Investing in Dividends

Dividend investing is a topic we cover a lot here at Investment U. And there’s a reason for that. Dividend investing is a tried-and-true strategy that millions of investors have used to profit off long-established companies with excellent track records.

IU Einstein Marc Lichtenfeld has built a career around dividends. He believes the two main things to look for when dividend investing are cash flow and a long track record of a reliable dividend.

Cash Flow
So we as dividend investors are really only concerned with the cash that comes into the company, because it’s the cash that’s going to pay the dividend, not earnings.

Long Track Record of a Reliable Dividend with No Cuts
The other thing I look for that’s really important is a company that has a long track record of a reliable dividend, that hasn’t cut the dividend. And preferably a stock that has raised the dividend every single year.

While many investors seek out the highest dividend stocks, Marc says safety is more important than size. Just because you’ve invested in a high-yield dividend stock, does not mean that dividend is safe. Many times far from it.

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to dividend yields, because what difference does it make if you have a 20, 30 or 40% dividend yield, if the dividend gets cut or even suspended. We know that dividend size does matter for income investors. I mean you’re not going to invest in a dividend stock for a one percent yield, if you need the income. You might for other reasons if you think that the stocks going to go higher or if it’s a growth company. But if you’re investing for dividend income, you do want to see a sizable dividend.

Here are the top 25 Highest Dividend Stocks

Symbol Name Last Div Yield Div(a) Div
BPT BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust 15.55 35.70% 5.62 1.405
LPG Dorian Lpg Ltd 16.22 27.32% 4.5 1
SBLK Star Bulk Carriers 27.18 25.38% 6.6 1.65
MVO Mv Oil Trust 11.72 24.76% 2.8 0.7
BAK Braskem S.A. ADR 13.88 22.74% 3.23 0.634
VOC Voc Energy Trust 7.22 22.62% 1.52 0.38
ZIM Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd 52.64 22.22% 11.4 2.85
PBR.A Petroleo Brasileiro Sa Petrobr ADR 14.14 21.30% 3.08 1.126
IVR Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc 17.53 20.65% 3.6 0.9
PBR Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras ADR 15.23 19.96% 3.08 1.126
DSX Diana Shipping Inc 5.95 18.61% 1.1 0.275
HIMX Himax Technologies ADR 7.44 18.56% 1.24 1.24
GNK Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd 17.7 18.07% 3.16 0.79
GOGL Golden Ocean Gp 11.52 17.89% 2 0.5
SPOK Spok Holdings Inc 7.04 17.71% 1.25 0.313
SNP China Petroleum & Chemical Corp ADR 47.31 17.62% 8.25 4.126
LOMA Loma Negra Comp Indu Argentina Sociedad ADR 6.28 17.34% 1.05 0.673
ORC Orchid Island Capital Inc 3.26 17.09% 0.54 0.045
LND Brasilagro ADR 4.96 16.43% 0.78 0.388
ARR Armour Residential R 7.8 15.69% 1.2 0.1
BWMX Betterware DE Mexico Sapi DE Cv 10.7 15.67% 1.65 0.412
CHMI Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment 6.91 15.63% 1.08 0.27
EGLE Eagle Bulk Ship 55.6 14.98% 8 2
IEP Icahn Enterprises 54.28 14.85% 8 2
MFA MFA Financial Inc 12.2 14.67% 1.76 0.44

More Dividend Investing Resources

Want more info on the highest dividend stocks? We have many exciting dividend resources for investors looking to increase their passive income.

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Best Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks to Invest in

Highest Dividend Stocks of 2022: Final Thoughts

In conclusion, investing in dividend stocks can be an excellent strategy whether you’re looking to build wealth for today or for retirement. The earlier you get started, the better. Investing in dividend payers can take a while to payoff. However, if you’re the type of person who wants to build a solid portfolio over time, while increasing passive income….there’s no better investment than high-yield dividend stocks.

Lastly, to learn more about investing in the highest dividend stocks, trading, crypto, bonds, retirement and more, sign up for one of our free newsletters today. Just visit the best investment newsletters page and join thousands of others who are profiting from the IU Einsteins’ expertise.