High Dividend Yield: 9 Stocks to Watch (August 30, 2026)
This week’s high dividend yield screener identifies companies offering substantial income potential through their dividend distributions. The screening criteria filtered for stocks with market capitalizations exceeding $1 billion and dividend yields above 3%, focusing on established companies with meaningful dividend commitments. These metrics help identify potential income-generating opportunities while maintaining focus on larger, more liquid securities.
Screening Methodology and Market Overview
The screener applied two primary filters to the broader market universe. First, companies needed market capitalizations greater than $1 billion to ensure adequate size and trading liquidity. Second, dividend yields had to exceed 3%, significantly above the current market average, to identify stocks offering enhanced income potential. This combination targets established companies prioritizing shareholder returns through regular dividend payments.
High-Yield Dividend Stock Results
| Ticker | Company | Price | Market Cap | Dividend Yield | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE | Pfizer Inc. | $27.96 | $159.4B | 6.15% | Healthcare |
| VZ | Verizon Communications Inc. | $50.10 | $209.2B | 5.58% | Communication Services |
| T | AT&T Inc. | $26.00 | $178.2B | 4.27% | Communication Services |
| NKE | NIKE, Inc. | $39.60 | $58.6B | 4.12% | Consumer Cyclical |
| PEP | PepsiCo, Inc. | $141.07 | $192.7B | 4.07% | Consumer Defensive |
| BMY | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | $66.58 | $136.0B | 3.77% | Healthcare |
| CVX | Chevron Corporation | $201.88 | $402.1B | 3.49% | Energy |
| USB | U.S. Bancorp | $62.47 | $97.3B | 3.33% | Financial Services |
| MDT | Medtronic plc | $91.23 | $116.8B | 3.12% | Healthcare |
Individual Stock Data Profiles
Pfizer (PFE) leads the screener with a 6.15% dividend yield at $27.96 per share. The pharmaceutical giant maintains a $159.4 billion market capitalization within the healthcare sector.
Verizon Communications (VZ) offers a 5.58% yield with shares trading at $50.10. This communication services company carries a substantial $209.2 billion market cap, reflecting its position as a major telecommunications provider.
AT&T (T) delivers a 4.27% dividend yield at $26.00 per share, representing another significant player in communication services. The company’s $178.2 billion market capitalization underscores its scale within the telecommunications industry.
NIKE (NKE) presents an interesting consumer cyclical entry with a 4.12% yield at $39.60 per share. The athletic apparel company’s $58.6 billion market cap represents the smallest among the screener results.
PepsiCo (PEP) shows a 4.07% dividend yield with shares priced at $141.07, commanding the highest share price in the group. This consumer defensive stock maintains a robust $192.7 billion market capitalization.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) rounds out the healthcare representation with a 3.77% yield at $66.58 per share. The pharmaceutical company’s $136.0 billion market cap positions it as another major healthcare dividend provider.
Chevron (CVX) represents the energy sector with a 3.49% dividend yield and the highest market capitalization at $402.1 billion. Shares trade at $201.88, making it the most expensive stock by share price in the screener.
U.S. Bancorp (USB) provides financial services exposure with a 3.33% yield at $62.47 per share. The regional bank’s $97.3 billion market cap represents the smallest market capitalization among the qualifying stocks.
Medtronic (MDT) completes the healthcare sector representation with a 3.12% dividend yield at $91.23 per share. The medical device company maintains a $116.8 billion market capitalization within the healthcare technology space.
Sector Distribution and Market Characteristics
Healthcare dominates the screener results with three representatives, followed by communication services with two companies. The remaining sectors—consumer cyclical, consumer defensive, energy, and financial services—each contribute one stock to the final list. This distribution suggests dividend-focused strategies often gravitate toward defensive sectors, though the presence of consumer cyclical and energy stocks demonstrates yield opportunities across various market segments.
This analysis presents factual market data for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Dividend yields can fluctuate based on stock price movements and dividend policy changes. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and all investments carry inherent risks including potential loss of principal.