Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, December 23:

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (NWBI Quick QuoteNWBI - Free Report) : This bank holding company for Northwest Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 8.4% the last 60 days.

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Price and Consensus

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 6.0%, compared with the industry average of 3.0%.

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Quote

Peoples Financial Services Corp. (PFIS Quick QuotePFIS - Free Report) : This bank holding company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 27.3% the last 60 days.

Peoples Financial Services Corp. Price and Consensus

Peoples Financial Services Corp. price-consensus-chart | Peoples Financial Services Corp. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.7%, compared with the industry average of 2.4%.

Peoples Financial Services Corp. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. dividend-yield-ttm | Peoples Financial Services Corp. Quote

National Fuel Gas Company (NFG Quick QuoteNFG - Free Report) : This diversified energy company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.4% the last 60 days.

National Fuel Gas Company Price and Consensus

National Fuel Gas Company price-consensus-chart | National Fuel Gas Company Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.4%, compared with the industry average of 1.9%.

National Fuel Gas Company Dividend Yield (TTM)

National Fuel Gas Company dividend-yield-ttm | National Fuel Gas Company Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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