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.

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. 

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

Middle-aged black male working at home desk
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m trying to build up my ISA to earn £10,000 passive income each year

I've been working to build some passive income for my retirement for years. Here's how I'm using the stock market…

Read more »

Elevated view over city of London skyline
Investing Articles

Could this 5.8%-yielding FTSE 250 share storm back in 2025?

Christopher Ruane weighs some pros and cons of a FTSE 250 share he owns that has had a rough few…

Read more »

British union jack flag and Parliament house at city of Westminster in the background
Investing Articles

Kier Starmer aims to make the UK an AI superpower! 2 FTSE stocks are poised to benefit

This pair of FTSE stocks look set to benefit long term as the UK government plans to tap into the…

Read more »

British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

Was this penny stock a silly purchase?

This penny stock has fallen in value by over half in the past five years. Here our writer explains why…

Read more »

Aerial shot showing an aircraft shadow flying over an idyllic beach
Investing Articles

After a stunning 2024, could IAG shares still go higher from here?

Christopher Ruane explains why he sees some grounds for optimism that IAG shares could move even higher -- and whether…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Searching for passive income? Here are 2 top dividend growth shares to consider!

These FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 dividend shares are tipped to lift dividends over the next two to three years,…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Should I buy 29,761 shares in this FTSE 250 dividend REIT for £1,000 a year in passive income?

Stephen Wright's wondering whether it's a good idea to buy shares in a FTSE 250 REIT with a highly reliable…

Read more »

Dividend Shares

A 12.65% yield? Here’s the dividend forecast for this FTSE income share

Jon Smith talks through the2026/27 dividend forecast for an income stock that already has a double-digit yield but could go…

Read more »