Democrats' midterm election win has put the artificial intelligence trade in question, as voters clearly expressed opposition to the rapid buildout of data centers. The stock market could remain volatile amid AI trade concerns, macro uncertainties, and geopolitical tensions.
In this scenario, investors can add dividend-paying stocks to their portfolios to earn steady income. However, the extensive universe of dividend stocks can make selection challenging. Top Wall Street analysts' recommendations can help investors shortlist attractive dividend stocks, as these experts assign ratings after in-depth financial analysis.
Here are three dividend-paying stocks that are highlighted by Wall Street's top pros, as tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
Viper Energy (VNOM) is a subsidiary of Diamondback and owns and acquires mineral and royalty interests, primarily in the Permian Basin. The company reported upbeat third-quarter earnings, supported by recent acquisitions and continued development activity from Diamondback and third-party operators. Viper announced a base cash dividend of 50 cents per share for Q3 2026, payable on Nov. 19. Based on the base and variable dividends announced over the past 12 months, VNOM's dividend yield stands at 5.7%.
Following the Q3 results, TD Cowen analyst Aaron Bilkoski reiterated a buy rating on Viper Energy stock with a price target of $61. The analyst noted that the company delivered solid Q3 results, with production, including oil and natural gas liquids, exceeding both TD Cowen and consensus estimates.