Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, February 4th:

Barings BDC (BBDC Quick QuoteBBDC - Free Report) : This externally managed business development company which primarily makes debt investments in middle market companies, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings increasing 6.5% over the last 60 days.

BARINGS BDC, INC. Price and Consensus

BARINGS BDC, INC. price-consensus-chart | BARINGS BDC, INC. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 10.3%, compared with the industry average of 9.8%.

BARINGS BDC, INC. Dividend Yield (TTM)

BARINGS BDC, INC. dividend-yield-ttm | BARINGS BDC, INC. Quote

Noble Corporation PLC (NE Quick QuoteNE - Free Report) : This company which is an offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry,has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing nearly 4.3% over the last 60 days.

Noble Corporation PLC Price and Consensus

Noble Corporation PLC price-consensus-chart | Noble Corporation PLC Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 6.4%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.

Noble Corporation PLC Dividend Yield (TTM)

Noble Corporation PLC dividend-yield-ttm | Noble Corporation PLC Quote

Premier Financial : This Home Savings Bank which is a full-service insurance agency,has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing nearly 1.9% over the last 60 days.

Premier Financial Corp. Price and Consensus

Premier Financial Corp. price-consensus-chart | Premier Financial Corp. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.6%, compared with the industry average of 2.5%.

Premier Financial Corp. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Premier Financial Corp. dividend-yield-ttm | Premier Financial Corp. Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Find more top income stocks with some of our great premium screens