Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, October 1st:

Aviva (AVVIY Quick QuoteAVVIY - Free Report) : This company which is the leading provider of indexed annuity and indexed life insurance products, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4.1% over the last 60 days.

Aviva PLC Price and Consensus

Aviva PLC price-consensus-chart | Aviva PLC Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 3.6%, compared with the industry average of 1.5%.

Aviva PLC Dividend Yield (TTM)

Aviva PLC dividend-yield-ttm | Aviva PLC Quote

Hillenbrand : This global diversified industrial company which has multiple market-leading brands that serve a wide variety of industries across the globe, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 1.3% over the last 60 days.

Hillenbrand Inc Price and Consensus

Hillenbrand Inc price-consensus-chart | Hillenbrand Inc Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 3.3%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.

Hillenbrand Inc Dividend Yield (TTM)

Hillenbrand Inc dividend-yield-ttm | Hillenbrand Inc Quote

Jefferies Financial Group (JEF Quick QuoteJEF - Free Report) : This financial services company that provides various services, including IB, asset management, capital market-related services and direct investing in the Americas, Europe and Asia, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 14.7% over the last 60 days.

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Price and Consensus

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. price-consensus-chart | Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 2.5%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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