Holding dividend stocks remains one of the most effective long-term strategies, with companies that pay a regular dividend often being profitable and well-positioned for future growth, even during economic downturns.
What follows are the top 3 dividend stocks to buy right now and hold in 2026.
1. Coca-Cola (KO)
Warren Buffett’s 25+ year commitment to Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is a testament to the company’s long-term value. Namely, his firm, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK), owns 400 million shares and is set to receive $204 million in dividends in July.
As a Dividend King, Coca-Cola recently raised its dividend for the 63rd consecutive year, now paying an annualized dividend of $2.04 per share.
With a sustainable payout ratio of 77.42%, the dividend appears secure, and the company expects 5–6% organic revenue growth, continuing to outperform competitors like Pepsi (NASDAQ: PEP).
2. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), another Dividend King, has likewise increased its dividend by 63 consecutive years.
Johnson & Johnson maintains a diverse portfolio spanning oncology, neuroscience, and immunology, generating over $1 billion in annual sales. For the last quarter, the company reported a 2.4% increase in revenue year-over-year (YoY), and earnings per share (EPS) came in at $4.54.
Johnson & Johnson currently boasts a dividend yield of about 3.37%, which is higher than the 1.59% average of the biotech and 2.31% of the pharmaceutical sector.
3. Pfizer (PFE)
Another pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and although its vaccine revenues are declining, the company is slowly upgrading its drug pipeline and forging some strategic partnerships.
Indeed, the company has 108 candidates in the pipeline with 30 of them already in Phase 3.
Currently, Pfizer has a dividend yield of over 7.37%, which makes it one of the most attractive companies among large-cap healthcare stocks.
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