Dividend Stocks for Regular Income According to Top Wall Street Analysts

As markets remain focused on key earnings reports and ongoing tariff negotiations, many investors are turning to dividend-paying stocks to generate reliable income amid ongoing volatility. With uncertainty still influencing broader market movements, dividend stocks can provide stability and yield in a challenging environment.

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To identify the most promising opportunities, investors often look to insights from top Wall Street analysts—professionals with a strong track record of stock recommendations.

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Below are three dividend-paying stocks recently endorsed by leading analysts, according to TipRanks, a platform that tracks and ranks analysts based on performance.

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EOG Resources (EOG)

EOG Resources, a major player in oil and gas exploration and production, is one such stock drawing analyst attention. In May, EOG announced it would acquire Encino Acquisition Partners for $5.6 billion. The company emphasized that this deal would strengthen its free cash flow, which in turn supported a 5% hike in its quarterly dividend. The new dividend payout stands at $1.02 per share, or $4.08 annually, offering investors a dividend yield of about 3.4%.

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As the company gears up for its Q2 earnings call on August 8, Siebert Williams Shank analyst Gabriele Sorbara reaffirmed a Buy rating on EOG, with a price target of $155. TipRanks’ AI-based analyst is slightly more conservative, giving the stock a price target of $138 and an “Outperform” rating.

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Sorbara remains optimistic about EOG’s financial and operational strength and is particularly focused on the growth potential tied to the Utica shale expansion, which comes through the Encino deal. He expects integration and synergy opportunities to serve as catalysts in future quarters.

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Sorbara also pointed to EOG’s strong financial discipline, with the company aiming to return at least 70% of its free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks.

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For Q2 2025, he projects $450 million in share repurchases and total capital returns of about $976.6 million—over 100% of free cash flow. His outlook is supported by EOG’s robust balance sheet and shareholder-friendly policies. Ranked 178 out of more than 9,800 analysts on TipRanks, Sorbara has a 55% success rate and an average return of 22.5%.

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Williams Companies (WMB)

Next is Williams Companies, a leading energy infrastructure provider, which also offers an appealing dividend. WMB pays a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, translating to an annual yield of approximately 3.5%. With its Q2 earnings set for early August, RBC Capital’s Elvira Scotto has reaffirmed a Buy rating on the stock and set a price target of $63—a view mirrored by TipRanks’ AI analyst, though with a “Neutral” rating.

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Scotto has adjusted her Q2 expectations downward based on conversations with the company and seasonal changes in marketing forecasts. She expects lower contributions from WMB’s upstream business due to declining commodity prices and seasonal impacts. However, she noted these negatives could be offset by the company’s recent investment in Cogentrix.

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Despite short-term headwinds, Scotto is confident in WMB’s long-term prospects. She highlighted the company’s solid backlog of projects, which feature low capital intensity and planned commissioning through 2030. Additional potential upside could come from renewed development of projects like the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) and Constitution pipelines, as well as more behind-the-meter (BTM) energy solutions.

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Scotto emphasized that even with recent share price weakness, Williams Companies remains well-positioned to benefit from increasing demand for natural gas. She ranks 72nd out of more than 9,800 analysts on TipRanks, with a 67% success rate and an average return of 18.5%.

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Verizon Communications (VZ)

Lastly, telecom heavyweight Verizon is also earning praise from analysts after delivering solid Q2 results for 2025. The company raised the lower end of its annual profit forecast, reflecting strong demand for premium wireless plans and favorable treatment under new tax policies introduced by the Trump administration.

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Verizon declared a quarterly dividend of $0.6775 per share, payable August 1, which implies an annual dividend of $2.71 and a generous yield of 6.3%. Following the earnings release, Citi’s Michael Rollins reaffirmed a Buy rating on Verizon with a price target of $48. TipRanks’ AI analyst is slightly more bullish, assigning a $49 target and an “Outperform” rating.

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Rollins pointed to Verizon’s improved EBITDA and earnings per share guidance for the full year, supported by strong first-half performance. However, he acknowledged that key performance indicators (KPIs) were mixed, with a rise in customer churn. Verizon is taking a more cautious approach to acquiring new subscribers, which could soften short-term volume but may benefit its longer-term financial health.

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Despite higher promotional spending and moderated subscriber growth, Rollins sees Verizon as well-positioned to hit its financial targets for the year. He emphasized that the stock offers solid relative value and expects it to maintain steady financial growth. Rollins is ranked 276th among 9,800+ analysts on TipRanks, with a 68% success rate and a 12.6% average return.

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Conclusion
In uncertain market conditions, dividend-paying stocks like EOG Resources, Williams Companies, and Verizon provide not only consistent income but also potential for long-term capital appreciation. Backed by top Wall Street analysts, these stocks are considered strong candidates for investors looking to weather market volatility while maintaining exposure to growth.

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