▌Top Stocks · DIVIDEND GROWTH·Updated September 19, 2026
Dividend Growth Stocks to Own in September 2026: 7 Names
A seven-stock countdown spans beverages, restaurants, biopharmaceuticals and consumer staples, showing how dividend growth can blend income, defensiveness and earnings durability.
Top Stocks · DIVIDEND GROWTHUpdated September 19, 2026
Dividend growth has become a quality-and-income trade rather than a simple hunt for the highest yield. With broad-market yields still low, parts of the growth universe looking stretched, and macro uncertainty keeping demand elevated for defensive businesses, investors are paying closer attention to companies that can support steadily rising distributions. The appeal is not limited to current income: durable earnings, resilient demand and balance-sheet discipline can make dividend growers useful diversifiers when market leadership is concentrated in businesses that pay little or no dividend.
The opportunity set spans several distinct sub-segments. High-quality dividend growers emphasize durable franchises and repeat demand; dividend-oriented value looks for reasonable entry valuations; and broader equity-income strategies blend dividends with other return sources. Exposure typically leans toward mature, cash-rich industries such as consumer staples, financials, utilities, energy and healthcare. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ July 2026 commentary noted that the S&P 500’s trailing 12-month dividend yield was 1.12% as of April 30, 2026, its lowest level since 2002, highlighting why investors are giving dividend growth more attention.
This countdown focuses on companies whose business models provide meaningful exposure to the theme, with fundamentals helping separate the candidates. The list moves in countdown order from #7 to #1, covering consumer staples, restaurants and healthcare companies along the way. Each profile considers the underlying franchise, profitability, growth, valuation, recent earnings execution and current analyst positioning. The result is a diversified look at how dividend growth can be expressed through both defensive consumer brands and research-driven healthcare businesses.
Our filter covers US-listed companies with market capitalizations above $500 million and meaningful exposure to dividend growth through mature, established business models, recurring demand or durable healthcare franchises. Ranking is based first on depth of exposure to the theme and then on business fundamentals, including profitability, growth, valuation and earnings execution. The data line uses evergreen metrics rather than a spot-price snapshot. This is a countdown: the best pick is reserved for #1 at the end.
Market cap: $182.6B · Quality grade: B · Analyst consensus: Hold (avg target $155)
What they do. PepsiCo manufactures, markets, distributes and sells beverages and convenient foods worldwide. Its portfolio spans PepsiCo Foods North America, PepsiCo Beverages North America, international beverages, Latin America Foods and Asia Pacific Foods, with products reaching grocery, convenience, foodservice, e-commerce and other retail channels through direct-store-delivery, warehouse and distributor networks. That combination of snacks, beverages and broad distribution gives the company several consumer spending touchpoints rather than a single-product revenue model.
Why it fits. PepsiCo is a direct consumer-staples expression of dividend growth, with established food and beverage categories that can support an income-oriented portfolio across different demand occasions. Its combination of snacks, soft drinks, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, SodaStream and international operations provides broader theme exposure than a beverage-only business. The profile is defensive, although the quality grade and analyst consensus suggest investors should weigh that stability against valuation and leverage concerns.
Numbers that matter. Revenue grew 6.4% year over year, while earnings growth was 137% and next-year EPS is estimated at 8.9754. PepsiCo posted a 54.2% gross margin, 16.84% operating margin and 10.79% net margin. The trailing P/E was 17.61 and the forward P/E was 14.8588, a more restrained valuation profile than several other consumer defensive names in this group. Return on equity was 51.51%, although the composite debt-to-equity component received a Strong Sell score.
Recent momentum. PepsiCo beat estimates in six of the past seven reported quarters. In the latest reported quarter, EPS was $2.20 versus an estimate of $2.19, a 0.5% surprise. Analyst opinion was cautious, with two Buy ratings and 16 Holds; the average target was $155. That combination points to a credible defensive earnings record, but not an unqualified consensus case.
What they do. The Coca-Cola Company manufactures and sells nonalcoholic beverages through independent bottling partners, distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Its portfolio includes Trademark Coca-Cola, sparkling beverages, water, sports drinks, coffee, tea, juices, dairy and emerging beverages, along with concentrates and syrups for fountain retailers. The combination of global brands, multiple beverage categories and an asset-light network of bottling and distribution operators gives Coca-Cola a broad commercial reach.
Why it fits. Coca-Cola offers one of the clearest beverage exposures in a dividend-growth portfolio. The franchise spans soft drinks as well as water, sports, coffee, tea, juice and dairy, allowing the theme to participate in both mature categories and a wider set of beverage occasions. Its defensive consumer-staples positioning and broad distribution network fit the market’s preference for established income-oriented businesses, although the ranking is held back by a comparatively demanding valuation.
Numbers that matter. Revenue increased 6.7% year over year and earnings grew 16.9%, with next-year EPS estimated at 3.5264. Coca-Cola reported a 61.9% gross margin, 34.87% operating margin and 28.56% net margin, all stronger than PepsiCo’s corresponding margin profile. The trailing P/E was 26.4444 and the forward P/E was 25.1256. Return on equity was 42.05% and return on assets was 9.4%, supporting the B quality grade despite weak composite debt-to-equity, P/E and price-to-book components.
Recent momentum. Coca-Cola has beaten estimates in all seven reported quarters in the available history. The latest reported quarter produced EPS of $0.97 versus an estimate of $0.92, a 5.4% surprise. Analysts included eight Buys, three Holds and one Sell, producing a Buy consensus and an average target of $94.70. The strong earnings consistency and favorable analyst balance help offset the stock’s higher valuation.
What they do. McDonald’s owns, operates and franchises restaurants under its global brand. It sells hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, coffee, soft drinks and breakfast products, while using conventional franchises, developmental licenses and affiliates to operate restaurants across the United States and international markets. That mix gives McDonald’s a recognizable consumer platform with revenue exposure to both company-operated and franchised locations.
Why it fits. McDonald’s brings a consumer-discretionary angle to dividend growth, broadening the list beyond staples and healthcare. Its restaurant and franchising model connects the theme to a global brand with recurring customer demand, while the menu spans core meals, beverages, breakfast and limited-time offerings. It ranks below the consumer-staples leaders because restaurant demand can be more economically sensitive and the composite quality grade is weaker.
Numbers that matter. Revenue grew 3.7% year over year and earnings grew 5.7%, with next-year EPS estimated at 13.9782. McDonald’s produced a 57.4% gross margin, 46.49% operating margin and 31.72% net margin. The trailing P/E was 20.2016 and the forward P/E was 17.7936, while return on assets was 13.25%. Return on equity was unavailable, and the composite debt-to-equity and price-to-book components were both rated Strong Sell, limiting the fundamental case despite the company’s high operating margin.
Recent momentum. The company beat estimates in four of the past seven reported quarters. Its latest reported quarter showed EPS of $3.38 versus an estimate of $3.32, a 1.8% surprise. The analyst breakdown was five Buys and 14 Holds, with no Sell count reported; the consensus was Buy and the average target was $312.84. Recent execution has improved, but the less consistent beat record keeps McDonald’s in the middle of the countdown.
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What they do. AbbVie is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, commercializes and sells medicines and therapies worldwide. Its portfolio includes Skyrizi and Rinvoq for inflammatory conditions, Imbruvica and Venclexta for blood cancers, Vraylar for psychiatric conditions, migraine therapies such as Ubrelvy and Qulipta, and Botox across cosmetic and therapeutic uses. Revenue comes from commercialized medicines, specialty products and healthcare solutions sold through global medical and distribution channels.
Why it fits. AbbVie provides a high-conviction healthcare expression of dividend growth, where established therapies and a diversified product portfolio can support income alongside innovation. Its exposure spans immunology, oncology, neuroscience, aesthetics, eye care and other specialties, reducing reliance on a single therapeutic area. The company ranks ahead of the consumer names on revenue and earnings growth, but the weak composite debt-to-equity and valuation components introduce a meaningful counterweight.
Numbers that matter. Revenue grew 10.2% year over year and earnings growth was 290.4%, with next-year EPS estimated at 16.2675. AbbVie’s gross margin was 72.8% and operating margin was 40.04%, although its net margin was 9.8%. The trailing P/E was 74.1629 compared with a forward P/E of 16.2338, a wide spread that makes the earnings base and forward estimates especially important. Return on equity was 62.25% and return on assets was 10.51%.
Recent momentum. AbbVie beat estimates in six of the past seven reported quarters. In the latest reported quarter, EPS came in at $3.65 versus an estimate of $3.64, a 0.3% surprise. Analysts listed four Buys and 12 Holds, with no Sell count reported, resulting in a Buy consensus and an average target of $278.61. The small latest beat was less dramatic than the company’s growth figures, so continued execution across its therapy portfolio remains central to the case.
What they do. Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers human therapeutics worldwide. Its products address osteoporosis, cardiovascular risk, oncology, inflammation, migraine, anemia and other conditions, including Prolia, Repatha, Enbrel, Otezla, XGEVA, Kyprolis, Blincyto and Tepezza. The company sells through healthcare providers, hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesale distributors, and also has collaboration agreements supporting the development and commercialization of selected products.
Why it fits. Amgen is a particularly deep healthcare fit for dividend growth because its commercial platform combines established medicines with a pipeline-oriented biotechnology model. The portfolio spans multiple therapeutic areas, while products such as Prolia, Repatha, Otezla and oncology treatments provide exposure across different patient needs. Its ranking reflects stronger composite quality and earnings execution than AbbVie, balanced against the sector’s dependence on continued product performance.
Numbers that matter. Revenue grew 9.5% year over year, earnings grew 64.9% and next-year EPS is estimated at 24.4023. Amgen reported a 71.9% gross margin, 35.55% operating margin and 22.95% net margin. The trailing P/E was 23.3711 and the forward P/E was 15.4083. Return on equity was 91.47% and return on assets was 8.67%, supporting Strong Buy component scores for discounted cash flow, return on equity and return on assets even though the debt-to-equity component was rated Strong Sell.
Recent momentum. Amgen has beaten estimates in all seven reported quarters in the available history. The latest reported quarter delivered EPS of $6.29 versus an estimate of $5.60, a 12.3% surprise. Analyst opinion included five Buys, 14 Holds and one Sell, producing a Hold consensus and an average target of $387.69. The unusually consistent beat record and strong latest surprise are major positives, while the mixed analyst balance signals that expectations are not uniformly bullish.
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This monthly screen starts with US-listed companies above $500 million in market capitalization and narrows the universe to businesses with meaningful dividend-growth exposure. The ranking gives priority to the depth of that exposure, including mature consumer franchises, established healthcare platforms and other recurring-demand models, before considering business fundamentals. Profitability, revenue and earnings growth, valuation, analyst consensus and recent earnings performance inform the fundamental comparison. Quality grades come from composite metrics, while company descriptions and reported financial figures come from primary-source data. Rankings and market data are refreshed monthly, so the list is a dated research view rather than a permanent classification.
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