Top US dividend stocks this spring
The spring dividend season has arrived on the US stock market, offering investors several high-yield opportunities. We selected 9 strong companies from the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes that offer good dividend yields and regular payments. We excluded companies like Healthpeak Properties, LyondellBasell, Kraft Heinz, Dow, and HP from the list because their ex-dividend date (the cut-off date after which buyers are no longer entitled to the dividend) has already passed. Progressive was also excluded, as its next payment is too far away.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities offers an impressive 9.69% dividend yield. The company's next ex-date is expected on 31. March 2026. Although the last quarter showed a large operating loss, this number is misleading.
The loss stemmed from a one-time asset impairment related to a change in strategy. At the same time, the company's sales decline has slowed down, indicating a stabilization of core operations.
Food manufacturer Conagra Brands offers a high 9.00% dividend yield. The next ex-date is estimated to be on 28. April 2026. The company is a regular dividend payer but faces several challenges.
Cost increases driven by inflation have led to a decline in both sales and profits. Operating profit decreased by 13.5% in the last quarter, as cost savings could not fully cover the price increases.
Aerospace company TransDigm Group offers a strong 7.50% dividend yield. Their next ex-date is expected on 26. July 2026. The company's operating profit growth has accelerated strongly, reaching 23.1 percent.
The growth was supported by better cost efficiency resulting from higher production volumes. Although recent acquisitions have put pressure on margins, the company's core business remains strong.
Courier company UPS offers investors a 6.76% dividend yield. The next ex-date is estimated to be on 19. May 2026. The company's operating profit for the last quarter fell by 10.0%, but this picture is slightly misleading.
The decline was primarily driven by $250 million in one-time costs related to strategic restructuring. Without these restructuring costs, operating profit would have turned to slight growth.
Tobacco manufacturer Altria Group offers a stable 6.39% dividend yield. Their next ex-date is already on 25. March 2026. The company's operating profit turned to a 42.7% decline in the last quarter.
This was driven by a large $1.2 billion impairment of the NJOY e-cigarette brand. Despite this setback, the company reaffirmed its 2026 profit forecast, which provides investors with confidence.
Automaker Ford offers a 6.36% dividend yield. The next ex-date is expected on 10. May 2026. Ford's massive loss in the last quarter might be alarming at first glance, but it requires explanation.
The loss primarily stemmed from a $19.5 billion one-time charge as the company shifted its strategy from electric vehicles more towards hybrid models. This move should optimize costs in the long run.
Real estate company BXP offers a 6.35% dividend yield. Their next ex-date is estimated to be on 1. April 2026. The company showed an impressive 375.5% profit growth in the last quarter.
However, this large growth is due to a one-time impairment last year, which created a low base for comparison. The recovery of core operations is still in its early stages, but portfolio occupancy has slowly started to improve.
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer offers a 6.30% dividend yield. The next ex-date is expected on 23. April 2026. The company's reported loss in the last quarter was due to a $4.4 billion asset impairment.
Without this one-time cost, Pfizer's operating profit actually returned to growth. Additionally, the company's new weight-loss drug recently received marketing authorization in China, opening the door to a large and important growth market.
Real estate investment trust VICI Properties offers a 6.28% dividend yield. Their next ex-date is already tomorrow, 20. March 2026. The company's operating profit fell by 2.1% in the last quarter.
This decline was caused by a one-time provision for loan losses. The company's core operations and rental income remain stable, offering investors a solid cash flow.
Conclusion
The US stock market currently offers several attractive dividend opportunities, especially in the real estate and healthcare sectors. The recent losses of many companies are due to one-time accounting impairments, not a collapse of core operations. Before investing, it is always worth monitoring the approaching ex-date and evaluating the company's long-term profitability.
RYTM content is for informational purposes only, not financial advice or recommendations. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions. Always consult a professional.