The best dividend stocks to buy now

These could be some of the best dividend stocks to buy now, according to Rupert Hargreaves, who’d acquire all five for his portfolio.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

I’m always on the lookout for the best dividend stocks to buy now for my portfolio. Research shows that dividend income is an integral part of wealth creation in the long run. That’s why I prioritise income stocks in my portfolio. 

With that in mind, here are five dividend stocks I’d buy for my portfolio right now.

Stocks to buy now

I think there are some fantastic bargains in the financial sector at present, so this is where I’m concentrating my efforts on finding the best stocks to buy.

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

Unfortunately, this sector may not be suitable for all investors. Some financial companies can be challenging to understand, especially banks and insurance groups.

It can be tricky to understand how these institutions make money and the quality of their balance sheets. That doesn’t apply to every business, but some corporations in the financial sector are more complex to understand than others. 

The first two companies on my list are Investec and Premier Miton. The former is a global investment powerhouse, while the latter is a relatively small asset management organisation. Both groups have their advantages.

Investec is a highly regarded global bank and wealth manager with a strong presence in Africa. Meanwhile, Premier Miton has won multiple accolades for the quality of its funds.  That’s why I would buy these two high-quality dividend stocks for my income portfolio today. They offer dividend yields of around 5.4%. 

Dividend stocks for income

I’d also buy financial services group Plus500 and CMC Markets. Both of these equities offer dividend yields of around 5.3%. They also provide trading services for products such as CFD and spread betting. This business can be highly lucrative in periods of high market volatility.

However, when volatility declines, trading can slow, often leading to a decline in income. CMC reported such a decline a few weeks ago, and the stock suffered a loss of more than 30% as a result. 

Still, I’d buy both companies to protect against market volatility and for their market-beating dividend yields.

Finally, I’d also buy insurance group Aviva for my portfolio of dividend stocks. I believe this is one of the best shares to buy now because not only does the investment offer a dividend yield of around 5.8%, but it’s also selling at a relatively low price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of just 8.8. 

Aviva is currently trying to rejig operations by focusing more on its general insurance business and divesting non-core operations. In theory, this should help the company improve profit margins and gain market share in the UK. It’s also promised to return more cash to investors

While there’s no guarantee this plan will yield the desired results, I’d buy the company for my portfolio dividend stocks, considering its potential. 

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Don’t panic as Warren Buffett retires! Just stick to the Oracle of Omaha’s method

The world's greatest investor Warren Buffett is finally retiring, but this isn't the end of his influence. It’s only the…

Read more »

US Tariffs street sign
Investing Articles

Up 10% in a month! Are the Scottish Mortgage shares the best way to play the tech stock recovery?

Harvey Jones is impressed by the resilience shown by Scottish Mortgage shares during recent turmoil. Should tech-focused investors consider buying…

Read more »

Mature black woman at home texting on her cell phone while sitting on the couch
Investing Articles

Is the HSBC share price an absolute steal at today’s levels?

The HSBC share price has had a terrific run despite the recent sell-off. Now Harvey Jones wonders if the FTSE…

Read more »

Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

Start investing in the stock market this May with under £1,000? Here’s how!

Christopher Ruane explains some basics of how a stock market newcomer could start investing with under £1,000 and no prior…

Read more »

Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

Is this a ‘Warren Buffett moment’ in the markets?

Warren Buffett has been doling out wisdom to shareholders this weekend. Our writer puts one well-known Buffett adage into current…

Read more »

Young woman holding up three fingers
Investing Articles

3 stocks Fools bought over 10 years ago and still hold

The Motley Fool’s approach to investing prioritises buying and holding quality stocks for long periods of time.

Read more »

Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
Investing Articles

8.1% yield! Here’s the dividend forecast for British American Tobacco shares through to 2027

British American Tobacco shares have been a prized commodity for investors seeking a large passive income. Are they a potential…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

1 FTSE 250 stock trading well below book value

Stephen Wright thinks investors have a number of attractive possibilities with a FTSE 250 REIT trading at a discount to…

Read more »