Plenty of stocks pay dividends. However, the best dividend stocks to buy now are the ones that offer a better-than-average payout. In addition to the stability to keep meeting investor expectations. As market conditions change, so do favorable dividend payers. The performance of each particular sector and the macroeconomic conditions shaping the market have a lot to do with the appeal of dividends for different companies.

Here’s a look at the five best dividend stocks to buy right now. And, in addition, why these equities are worth looking at closer if you’re rebalancing your portfolio in the direction of lucrative dividends.

The Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

5. ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM)

If you’ve been paying attention to the markets this year, it should come as no surprise that ExxonMobil is one of the best dividend stocks to buy now. Not only is this oil and gas giant up more than 60% this year, the long-term outlook amidst a tumultuous oil and gas market will continue to send the stock price higher. Quarterly earnings growth is up more than 140%. And the company has a strong 15% EPS forecast for the next five years. All this bodes well for Exxon’s 3.99% dividend.

Exxon isn’t just an opportunistic dividend play during the current energy crisis. The company has a long history of prioritizing its dividend, and even maintained it in 2020, when oil prices plummeted. Exxon has also made it a priority to continue raising its dividend, in homage to its status as a Dividend Aristocrat. Exxon is a blue-chip investment any dividend-focused investor can feel good about making in 2022.

Keep reading for more on dividend stocks to buy now.

4. Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE: SU)

As mentioned, now is a great time for dividend-paying energy stocks. Low-cost energy stocks are particularly appealing. Their potential for growth suggests a more valuable dividend opportunity. Such is the case for Suncor, which is up more than 100% from its recent lows in September 2021. It has a share price of ~$37 and a dividend payout of 3.53%. This makes it a great addition to your list of dividend stocks to buy now. And it’s an attractive stock for investors seeking a safe haven from a broad market downturn.

Suncor has the financials to back up its exciting dividend opportunity. Quarterly sales growth is up almost 70%. And healthy profit margins put the company in position to continue paying out its dividend. Its dividend payout ratio is slightly higher than the industry average. However, $30 billion in year-over-year sales give the company healthy cash flow enough to downplay any concern of a dividend cut. This is true even when energy markets inevitably right-size.

3. Main Street Capital Corp. (NYSE: MAIN)

While energy stocks are the current darlings of Wall Street, investors shouldn’t forget about the dividend potential of REITs. Few companies illustrate the power and potential of well-run REITs like Main Street Capital Corp. Its 6.39% dividend payout is attractive in and of itself. However, investors doing due diligence will find an extremely well-run enterprise behind it: one that ensures the long-term efficacy of the dividend, and its potential to grow.

MAIN is one of the best dividend stocks to buy now not only because of the surging real estate market, but because of its attractive P/E of 8.5. Its 47.5% dividend payout ratio is on the high side. However, it’s in no danger thanks to the company’s absolutely incredible operating margin (63%). While MAIN is down year-to-date, investors should see it as a buying opportunity. They should see it as a chance to hold one of the best dividend-paying stocks on the market.

[gated-content list=’INVESTME’ headline=’Keep Reading This Article and Find Out the Top 2 Dividend Stocks to Buy Now’ body=’
Enter your email below to read the reveal the top two dividend stocks.
You’ll also be opted in to receive our free daily e-letter, Investment U, where you’ll find expert investment insight, analysis and stock picks for all the best investment opportunities.
‘ button=’Unlock The Rest’ mvid=’1516177′ coreg=’274702′]

2. SLR Investment Corp. (NYSE: SLRC)

Another REIT, SLR Investment Corp. focuses on the burgeoning market of senior care facilities. With an aging population and growing demand for assisted living facilities, SLRC is a dividend stock to buy now for the long-term. It’s for those interested in capitalizing on real estate demand in this segment of the industry. The company already projects a strong dividend yield of 9.86%. And at its current P/E of 9.8, it’s a strong contender among affordable REIT investments.

SLRC is perhaps the riskiest dividend stock on this list. The company has a market cap of less than a billion dollars. And it has been slow to recover after the fallout of 2020’s correction. Investors buying this stock today should do so prepared to hold through periods of uncertainty as the company and the sector it’s in continue to take shape in the coming years.

Dividend Stocks to Buy Now 1. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C)

The financial sector is home to many companies with appealing dividends and the most appealing dividend stock in this sector right now belongs to Citigroup. At 4%, it’s one of the more appealing dividends among investment banks, and has been on the rise for the past several years. At its current P/E valuation of 6, Citigroup is an attractive stock for investors who expect banks to perform well in a rising interest rate environment. As the company’s share price grows, its dividend will follow.

Citigroup enjoys an increasingly strong balance sheet, with revenue up 25% in 2021, followed by a nearly 100% increase in income. Incredible margins make Citigroup a dividend stock to buy and hold for the long-term. In addition, its 19% dividend payout ratio suggests that it’ll be a strong contender in portfolios for years to come.

[/gated-content]

Stay Updated on Dividend Stock Opportunities

Dividend-paying stocks are a value add to any portfolio that strives to create stability and revenue. The above equities are just a few of the best dividend stocks to buy now, and the list is always changing. Subscribe to an investment newsletter to stay in the loop on which dividend-payers are making a name for themselves in the current market as you strive to build the ultimate passive income portfolio.