Markets remain on edge as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East collide with fresh doubts about the longevity of the AI rally. For investors seeking reliable income, dividend-paying stocks offer a way to ride out the turbulence. But choosing the right ones requires more than a quick screen. By following the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts, investors can zero in on companies with solid financials and sustainable payouts. Here are three dividend stocks that are currently catching the attention of highly rated analysts, according to TipRanks, which tracks analyst performance.
Phillips 66 (PSX)
Energy company Phillips 66 takes the first spot. The downstream operator pays a quarterly dividend of $1.27 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $5.08 and a yield of 2.25%. The stock recently got a boost from strong second-quarter earnings, as conflict in the Middle East disrupted global supplies and pushed refining margins higher.
Following the earnings release, TD Cowen analyst Jason Gabelman reiterated a buy rating and lifted his price target to $255 from $240. He cited improved 2026 earnings expectations and lower interest expense next year. Gabelman also pointed to a sequential reduction in Phillips 66’s net debt, noting that management is optimistic about reaching its $15.5 billion net debt goal a year ahead of schedule. The analyst projects the company will end 2026 with net debt of $14.6 billion.
“The [balance sheet] improvement could re-establish PSX as a go-to defensive refiner,” Gabelman said.
Management acknowledged that the payout ratio has trailed so far this year, but expects share buybacks to pick up in the second half. Gabelman also noted that Phillips 66 may be open to a larger dividend increase after raising its payout by 5% annually over the past two years. Gabelman ranks No. 554 among the more than 12,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His recommendations have been profitable 66% of the time, with an average return of 14.9%.
Crescent Energy (CRGY)
Next up is Crescent Energy, an exploration and production company focused on the Eagle Ford, Permian and Uinta basins. Earlier this month, the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share, payable on August 31. With an annualized dividend of $0.48 per share, the stock yields about 4%.
Evercore analyst Stephen Richardson reaffirmed a buy rating on Crescent with a price target of $18. He highlighted continued strength in the company’s performance, noting that second-quarter oil production and cash flow exceeded Street estimates.
“CRGY’s cash flow exceeded expectations by 10%, reinforcing its trajectory of capital efficiency,” Richardson said.
The 5-star analyst also noted that Crescent raised its full-year oil production guidance, helped by the successful integration of the Vital Energy acquisition. In fact, the company tripled its synergy target from that deal to as much as $300 million, sharply reducing the effective purchase price. Richardson called this a sign of solid post-acquisition execution. He also observed that capital spending is trending toward the lower end of management’s prior guidance, reflecting disciplined financial controls.
Richardson ranks No. 579 among the more than 12,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 65% of the time, delivering an average return of 12.5%.
Viper Energy (VNOM)
Finally, Viper Energy rounds out the list. The company, effectively controlled by Diamondback Energy, owns and acquires mineral and royalty interests in oil-weighted basins, primarily the Permian in West Texas. Viper recently posted its second-quarter 2026 results and declared a 32% increase in its base dividend, effective in the third quarter of 2026. The new base dividend implies an annualized yield of 4.5%.
Viper also removed its previous quarterly commitment to return at least 75% of cash available for distribution. The company said this change gives it more flexibility to make opportunistic share repurchases and pursue accretive mergers and acquisitions.
TD Cowen analyst Aaron Bilkoski reiterated a buy rating on Viper and nudged his price target up to $59 from $58. He said Viper’s solid second-quarter performance supports the view that stronger oil prices and rising operator activity are driving higher production.
“Viper has delivered, and we forecast will continue to deliver, one of the highest production per share growth profiles in our royalty universe” through the end of 2027, Bilkoski said. He believes the stock deserves a premium valuation given its above-average growth.
The analyst acknowledged that the biggest surprise in the quarter was the change to Viper’s shareholder return framework, but he doesn’t think it signals a major shift in strategy. Instead, Bilkoski expects a larger portion of excess free cash flow to go toward share repurchases rather than variable dividends.
Bilkoski ranks No. 719 among the more than 12,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 57% of the time, with an average return of 12%.
These three dividend stocks offer a mix of yield and financial strength, and the backing of some of Wall Street’s most successful analysts makes them worth a closer look for investors seeking steady income in uncertain times.
