The 3 Dividend Stocks I Think Every Investor Should Own Right Now

By Chris MacDonald Published Jan 26, 2:10PM EST

Quick Read

NextEra Energy (NEE) operates nuclear generation supporting AI data center expansion. The utility stock offers a 2.7% dividend yield.
Realty Income provides monthly dividends with a 5.3% yield. The REIT’s valuation sits below historical levels.
Johnson & Johnson has raised dividends for over 60 consecutive years. The healthcare giant yields 2.4%.

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The 3 Dividend Stocks I Think Every Investor Should Own Right Now — © Vadi Fuoco / Shutterstock.com

The current macro investing climate is one in which investors have plenty to consider. On the one hand, growth stocks continue to outperform as investors look for ways to capitalize on a surprisingly robust bull market.

Yes, we’ve already seen plenty of history made in early 2026, with geopolitical issues and newfound ramped up tariff rhetoric recently sending the VIX back above 20 for the first time in months. However, I’m of the view that the choppiness we could see for the remainder of the year may outpace what we’ve seen thus far in 2026.

There are so many competing factors at play in the market, it’s nearly impossible for an individual investor to keep a finger on the pulse of what’s going to happen next. Thus, I think investing in top dividend stocks with the potential to provide solid total returns over the long-term is the way to go.

Here are three of my top ideas right now.

NextEra Energy (NEE)

A company I’d call the quiet giant powering the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in North America, NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE | NEE Price Prediction) is one of the top utility stocks I think is worth considering right now.

Indeed, as a sector which stands to benefit most from the AI revolution, power generation and distribution companies such as NextEra could continue to deliver solid growth for decades to come. If the buildout around data centers and overall high-performance compute continues as many expect, NextEra’s renewable energy supply via its core nuclear business should be one of the key domestic drivers of this sector for decades to come.

In my personal opinion, and that of many experts in the energy space, nuclear could be among the most powerful renewable energy trends the current administration may go for. This isn’t fossil fuels, but it’s also one of the most powerful ways of generating significant base power to support the rise of large-scale industrial data centers in key geographic.

With high-single-digit earnings growth plus a 2.7% dividend yield, this is a stock I think can deliver solid double-digit total returns over the long-term. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

Realty Income (O)

One of my top picks for investors looking for consistent monthly income, Realty Income (NYSE:O) is among the few real estate investment trusts (REITs) I think investors may want to take a look at as a way to hold some real estate exposure within one’s portfolio.

For those who may not own their primary residence, or want to gain more exposure to real estate trends over the long-term (the income and capital appreciation component), owning a diversified REIT with properties located all over the U.S. may be the best way to go.

The company’s monthly dividend is particularly compelling for retirees or those looking to build passive income streams for retirement or other life goals. The company’s current dividend yield of 5.3% is meaningful, and given how lackluster the performance has been among real estate assets over the past year, the dip we’ve seen in the company’s valuation relative to historical levels is one I think could be worth buying.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

For investors looking for true defensive exposure in this market, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is perhaps one of the best blue-chip stocks to opt for right now.

That’s because this dividend king has more than 60 years of consecutive annual dividend hikes. There are few companies in the market that can come close to matching such a feat.

With diversified revenue streams spanning a number of businesses including healthcare, pharma, med tech and consumer health, there’s a lot to like about this company’s cash flow profile moving forward. That’s because no matter how much consumers feel they’re getting squeezed from inflation, purchasing everyday items to manage one’s health is a non-negotiable. In that sense, I view JNJ stock and its 2.4% yield as one of the best in the market right now.

Healthcare stocks such as JNJ are seeing a resurgence of investor interest, due to the catalysts noted above. If this resurgence continues, this is a stock I think investors can happily own for the long-term.

About the Author Chris MacDonald →

Chris MacDonald is a 24/7 Wall St. contributor and long-time contributor to other notable finance publications, including The Motley Fool and InvestorPlace. With an MBA in Finance, and more than a decade of experience in venture capital and the corporate finance world, Chris brings a long-term perspective to his analysis of equities and alternative assets.

His love of investing and focus on finding quality undervalued stocks is complemented by recent research into alternative assets as well. He takes a long-term approach to analyzing companies and cryptos, with a focus on directing the reader to the most sustainable and important catalysts for each respective potential investment.