Safest Dividend Stocks
These are the safest dividend stocks we track, ranked by our backtested Dividend Safety Score — the companies whose dividends are best covered and least likely to be cut.
Want safety and a bargain? Cross-reference the undervalued list, or filter both at once in the value screener.
Updated · 60 stocks · refreshed daily
Key facts: Safest Dividend Stocks
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 31, 2026, SmarterDividends' Safest Dividend Stocks list includes 60 stocks.
- Ranked first on SmarterDividends' Safest Dividend Stocks list as of Oct 31, 2026 is Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH), with a forward dividend yield of 0.88% and 9 consecutive years of dividend increases on record.
- The median forward dividend yield of the 60 stocks on SmarterDividends' Safest Dividend Stocks list is 1.29% as of Oct 31, 2026.
- The highest-yielding stock on SmarterDividends' Safest Dividend Stocks list as of Oct 31, 2026 is DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (DNP), at 7.84%.
- By SmarterDividends' count, Dover Corporation (DOV) has the longest dividend-growth streak on SmarterDividends' Safest Dividend Stocks list, at 43 consecutive years as of Oct 31, 2026.
- 60 of the 60 stocks on SmarterDividends' Safest Dividend Stocks list with a SmarterDividends safety grade are graded A as of Oct 31, 2026.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "Safest Dividend Stocks by Safety Score," updated Oct 31, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/safest-dividend-stocks
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the safest dividend stocks?
The safest dividend stocks are those whose dividends are best protected from a cut — comfortably covered by earnings and free cash flow, backed by a sound balance sheet and a long, unbroken payment history. This list ranks dividend payers by our 0–100 Dividend Safety Score, highest first.
How is dividend safety measured?
Our Dividend Safety Score weighs payout coverage (earnings and free cash flow), balance-sheet strength, dividend-growth streak and cut history. It was fit by backtesting which dividends were actually cut over 15+ years, so a higher score has historically meant a genuinely lower chance of a cut.
Do safe dividend stocks have lower yields?
Often, yes — safety and yield trade off. The safest payers tend to yield less because investors bid them up. If you want safe income at a higher yield, see our safe high-yield list, which screens for both.
Are these stocks a buy?
A high safety score means the dividend is dependable, not that the stock is cheap. Pair safety with valuation — our undervalued list and value screener show which safe payers also trade below fair value.
Data is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Yields and figures refresh daily.