Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Right Now

This list ranks dividend payers by forward yield, highest first. The top of the list is usually dominated by REITs, BDCs, MLPs and covered-call ETFs, which structurally pay out most of their income and therefore carry higher yields — and often higher risk.

Not necessarily. A very high yield (often 8%+) can be a warning sign: it may mean the share price has fallen because the market expects a dividend cut. Always check the payout ratio and dividend-growth history — which is why each stock here links to a full safety breakdown.

For a typical blue-chip dividend stock, 2.5%–4.5% is a healthy, sustainable range. Yields of 5%–8% can be fine for REITs and similar income vehicles, but anything materially higher deserves extra scrutiny.

Forward dividend yield = annual dividend per share ÷ current share price. A $100 stock paying $4 per year yields 4%.