We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
3 Consistent Dividend Payers Outperforming in 2026
Everybody loves dividends, mainly for their ability to generate a steady stream of income. Many large-cap stocks with an established history of consistent payouts are generally less volatile by nature, another positive benefit in the current landscape.
And for those seeking consistent payouts, three stocks – Altria, Verizon Communications and PepsiCo – could all be considerations.
Altria Keeps Paying
Altria boasts a leading portfolio of tobacco products for U.S. consumers, with its wholly owned subsidiaries including leading manufacturers of both combustible and smoke-free products.
Altria has long been a favorite among income-focused investors thanks to its shareholder-friendly nature, recognized not only as a Dividend Aristocrat but also as a Dividend King.
The company's EPS estimates have remained stable while also inching higher across several timeframes, as shown below. Shares have had a great 2026, up nearly 15% and widely outperforming relative to the S&P 500.
Verizon Shares Outperform
Verizon Communications is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, providing wireless, broadband, and fiber-optic services to millions of consumers and businesses.
Strong cash generation has placed the company on many income-focused investors' lists, with its low volatility also highly appealing. The company has posted $20.1 billion in free cash flow over a trailing twelve-month period, with shares currently yielding 5.6% annually.
The earnings picture for VZ has also become bullish over recent months, with analysts revising their EPS expectations modestly higher across the board. Shares have benefited from the favorable revisions, up more than 20% in 2026 so far.
PepsiCo Remains a King
PepsiCo manufactures, markets, and distributes grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. The stock popped on its latest set of better-than-expected results, with improved operational efficiencies leading to 15% year-over-year EPS growth. Shares have also delivered outperformance relative to the S&P 500 in 2026 so far, up nearly 9%.
Similar to Altria above, PepsiCo also holds the elite Dividend King title, demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to its shareholders over its long history. Shares currently yield a solid 3.7% annually, with its dividend reliability over the last decade.
Bottom Line
Companies with a long history of consistent dividend payouts often offer a strong shield against volatility while generating passive income. After all, isn't payday the best?
All three stocks above – Altria, Verizon Communications and PepsiCo – precisely fit the criteria.
Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: Altria, Verizon Communications and PepsiCo
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 6, 2026 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Altria (MO - Free Report) , Verizon Communications (VZ - Free Report) and PepsiCo (PEP - Free Report) .
3 Consistent Dividend Payers Outperforming in 2026
Everybody loves dividends, mainly for their ability to generate a steady stream of income. Many large-cap stocks with an established history of consistent payouts are generally less volatile by nature, another positive benefit in the current landscape.
And for those seeking consistent payouts, three stocks – Altria, Verizon Communications and PepsiCo – could all be considerations.
Altria Keeps Paying
Altria boasts a leading portfolio of tobacco products for U.S. consumers, with its wholly owned subsidiaries including leading manufacturers of both combustible and smoke-free products.
Altria has long been a favorite among income-focused investors thanks to its shareholder-friendly nature, recognized not only as a Dividend Aristocrat but also as a Dividend King.
The company's EPS estimates have remained stable while also inching higher across several timeframes, as shown below. Shares have had a great 2026, up nearly 15% and widely outperforming relative to the S&P 500.
Verizon Shares Outperform
Verizon Communications is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, providing wireless, broadband, and fiber-optic services to millions of consumers and businesses.
Strong cash generation has placed the company on many income-focused investors' lists, with its low volatility also highly appealing. The company has posted $20.1 billion in free cash flow over a trailing twelve-month period, with shares currently yielding 5.6% annually.
The earnings picture for VZ has also become bullish over recent months, with analysts revising their EPS expectations modestly higher across the board. Shares have benefited from the favorable revisions, up more than 20% in 2026 so far.
PepsiCo Remains a King
PepsiCo manufactures, markets, and distributes grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. The stock popped on its latest set of better-than-expected results, with improved operational efficiencies leading to 15% year-over-year EPS growth. Shares have also delivered outperformance relative to the S&P 500 in 2026 so far, up nearly 9%.
Similar to Altria above, PepsiCo also holds the elite Dividend King title, demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to its shareholders over its long history. Shares currently yield a solid 3.7% annually, with its dividend reliability over the last decade.
Bottom Line
Companies with a long history of consistent dividend payouts often offer a strong shield against volatility while generating passive income. After all, isn't payday the best?
All three stocks above – Altria, Verizon Communications and PepsiCo – precisely fit the criteria.
Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.
Get all the details here >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.