Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, August 31st:

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO Quick QuoteVLO - Free Report) : This transportation fuels and petrochemical products company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 51.5% over the last 60 days.

Valero Energy Corporation Price and Consensus

Valero Energy Corporation price-consensus-chart | Valero Energy Corporation Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.2%, compared with the industry average of 1.8%.

Valero Energy Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

Valero Energy Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Valero Energy Corporation Quote

First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC Quick QuoteFFBC - Free Report) : This bank holding company for First Financial Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 9.9% over the last 60 days.

First Financial Bancorp. Price and Consensus

First Financial Bancorp. price-consensus-chart | First Financial Bancorp. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.2%, compared with the industry average of 2.8%.

First Financial Bancorp. Dividend Yield (TTM)

First Financial Bancorp. dividend-yield-ttm | First Financial Bancorp. Quote

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC Quick QuoteMPC - Free Report) : This integrated downstream energy company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 42.2% over the last 60 days.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation Price and Consensus

Marathon Petroleum Corporation price-consensus-chart | Marathon Petroleum Corporation Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 2.2%, compared with the industry average of 1.8%.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

Marathon Petroleum Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Marathon Petroleum Corporation Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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