Three Noteworthy Dividend Stocks To Consider

Over the last 7 days, the United States market has risen by 1.3%, contributing to a notable 28% climb over the past year, with earnings forecasted to grow by 17% annually. In this thriving environment, dividend stocks that offer consistent payouts and potential for growth can be an attractive option for investors looking to capitalize on these favorable conditions.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United States

Click here to see the full list of 103 stocks from our Top US Dividend Stocks screener.

Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener.

First Merchants (FRME)

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: First Merchants Corporation, with a market cap of $2.58 billion, operates as the financial holding company for First Merchants Bank, offering commercial and consumer banking services.

Operations: First Merchants Corporation generates revenue primarily through its Community Banking segment, which accounted for $637.81 million.

Dividend Yield: 3.6%

First Merchants offers a stable dividend with a current yield of 3.58%, supported by a low payout ratio of 42.5%. Over the past decade, dividends have grown consistently without volatility. Although the yield is below the top quartile in the US market, recent news includes an increased quarterly dividend to US$0.37 per share and strategic board changes with Paul Fultz's appointment, enhancing governance and financial oversight capabilities amidst fluctuating earnings performance.

• Delve into the full analysis dividend report here for a deeper understanding of First Merchants.
• Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of First Merchants shares in the market.

Peoples Bancorp (PEBO)

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: Peoples Bancorp Inc. is the financial holding company for Peoples Bank, offering commercial and consumer banking products and services, with a market cap of $1.26 billion.

Operations: Peoples Bancorp Inc. generates its revenue primarily through its Community Banking segment, which accounts for $423.96 million.

Dividend Yield: 4.9%

Peoples Bancorp offers a competitive dividend yield of 4.85%, placing it in the top 25% of US dividend payers. The recent quarterly dividend increase to $0.42 per share reflects consistent growth over the past decade, supported by a reasonable payout ratio of 52.3%. Despite net charge-offs declining to $6.65 million from $8.12 million last year, dividends remain stable and reliable, backed by increased net income and interest income in Q1 2026 earnings results.

• Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of Peoples Bancorp.
• Our valuation report here indicates Peoples Bancorp may be undervalued.

Atlantic Union Bankshares (AUB)

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation, with a market cap of $5.47 billion, operates as the bank holding company for Atlantic Union Bank, offering a range of banking and financial products and services to consumers and businesses in the United States.

Operations: Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation generates revenue through its Consumer Banking segment, which accounts for $494.52 million, and its Wholesale Banking segment, contributing $666.57 million.

Dividend Yield: 3.9%

Atlantic Union Bankshares provides a reliable dividend yield of 3.93%, supported by stable dividends over the past decade and a reasonable payout ratio of 60.3%. Recent earnings growth, with net income rising to US$122.17 million in Q1 2026, supports dividend sustainability. The company announced a share repurchase program up to US$250 million, reflecting confidence in its financial health. Amendments to reduce supermajority voting requirements could enhance shareholder influence on governance matters.

• Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Atlantic Union Bankshares stock in this dividend report.
• According our valuation report, there's an indication that Atlantic Union Bankshares' share price might be on the expensive side.

Make It Happen

• Explore the 103 names from our Top US Dividend Stocks screener here.
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Interested In Other Possibilities?

• Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention.
• Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management.
• Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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