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Top Analysts Weigh In on Three High-Dividend Defensive Stocks Worth Watching

MarketDash Editorial Team
12 days ago
When markets get choppy, dividend stocks become investor favorites. Here's what Wall Street's most accurate analysts think about three consumer staples companies offering dividend yields between 6.85% and 17.08%.

When the market gets turbulent and uncertainty creeps in, investors often shift their attention to dividend-yielding stocks. It's a pretty straightforward strategy: find companies with strong free cash flows that reward shareholders with consistent payouts. Think of it as getting paid to wait out the storm.

Today we're looking at three consumer staples companies that not only offer defensive characteristics but also deliver substantial dividend yields. Even better, we've rounded up what Wall Street's most accurate analysts are saying about them.

B&G Foods: Eye-Popping Yield Comes With Caution

B&G Foods Inc. (BGS) is currently sporting an almost hard-to-believe dividend yield of 17.08%. Yes, you read that right. When yields get that high, it's usually either a screaming opportunity or a warning sign, and analysts seem to be leaning toward caution here.

Barclays analyst Brandt Montour, who has a 61% accuracy rate, maintained an Equal-Weight rating on the stock but cut the price target from $5 to $4 on July 15, 2025. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Similarly, Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery, with a 64% accuracy rate, also maintained a Neutral rating while lowering the price target from $7 to $5 on May 8, 2025. The downward price target revisions suggest analysts are concerned despite that juicy dividend.

On a brighter note, B&G Foods posted upbeat quarterly results on November 5, which might provide some comfort to investors willing to take on the risk for that substantial yield.

Conagra Brands: Moderate Yield, Mixed Signals

Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG) offers a more modest but still attractive 7.89% dividend yield. The company, known for brands like Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, and Duncan Hines, represents a classic defensive play in the consumer staples space.

Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander, who boasts a 68% accuracy rate, maintained an Equal-Weight rating while raising the price target from $20 to $21 on September 24, 2025. That's a positive sign, suggesting some upward momentum.

However, UBS analyst Bryan Adams, with a 65% accuracy rate, took a slightly different view. He maintained a Neutral rating but cut the price target from $20 to $19 on the same day. So we've got one analyst nudging the target up and another pushing it down, which tells you the Street is still figuring this one out.

Conagra is scheduled to release its fiscal 2026 second quarter earnings on December 19, which should provide more clarity on the company's direction.

Energizer Holdings: Battery Power With a 6.85% Yield

Energizer Holdings Inc. (ENR) rounds out our trio with a 6.85% dividend yield. The company behind those famous pink bunnies offers investors exposure to both batteries and auto care products.

Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian, with the highest accuracy rate of the bunch at 70%, maintained an Equal-Weight rating but cut the price target from $28 to $22 on November 19, 2025. That's a fairly significant reduction that suggests some near-term headwinds.

Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman, with a 60% accuracy rate, had been more optimistic earlier in the year, maintaining an Equal-Weight rating while boosting the price target from $24 to $27 on August 6, 2025.

The recent earnings report on November 18 helps explain the divergence. Energizer reported mixed fourth-quarter results and issued first-quarter earnings per share guidance that came in below analyst estimates. That's the kind of news that makes analysts reach for the red pen when adjusting price targets.

The Bottom Line on Defensive Dividends

All three of these stocks offer something investors crave during uncertain times: income. But as always, there's no free lunch on Wall Street. The highest yield comes with the most concern from analysts, while the more moderate yielders show mixed signals.

What's interesting is that even the most accurate analysts on the Street are playing it cautiously here, with Equal-Weight and Neutral ratings dominating the coverage. These are defensive stocks offering solid dividends, but they're not screaming buys according to the smart money.

For investors considering these names, the dividend yields are certainly attractive, but it's worth paying attention to why those yields are so high and what the trajectory looks like going forward. Sometimes a high yield is compensation for risk, not just a gift from generous management teams.

Back to News

Top Analysts Weigh In on Three High-Dividend Defensive Stocks Worth Watching

MarketDash Editorial Team
12 days ago
When markets get choppy, dividend stocks become investor favorites. Here's what Wall Street's most accurate analysts think about three consumer staples companies offering dividend yields between 6.85% and 17.08%.

When the market gets turbulent and uncertainty creeps in, investors often shift their attention to dividend-yielding stocks. It's a pretty straightforward strategy: find companies with strong free cash flows that reward shareholders with consistent payouts. Think of it as getting paid to wait out the storm.

Today we're looking at three consumer staples companies that not only offer defensive characteristics but also deliver substantial dividend yields. Even better, we've rounded up what Wall Street's most accurate analysts are saying about them.

B&G Foods: Eye-Popping Yield Comes With Caution

B&G Foods Inc. (BGS) is currently sporting an almost hard-to-believe dividend yield of 17.08%. Yes, you read that right. When yields get that high, it's usually either a screaming opportunity or a warning sign, and analysts seem to be leaning toward caution here.

Barclays analyst Brandt Montour, who has a 61% accuracy rate, maintained an Equal-Weight rating on the stock but cut the price target from $5 to $4 on July 15, 2025. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Similarly, Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery, with a 64% accuracy rate, also maintained a Neutral rating while lowering the price target from $7 to $5 on May 8, 2025. The downward price target revisions suggest analysts are concerned despite that juicy dividend.

On a brighter note, B&G Foods posted upbeat quarterly results on November 5, which might provide some comfort to investors willing to take on the risk for that substantial yield.

Conagra Brands: Moderate Yield, Mixed Signals

Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG) offers a more modest but still attractive 7.89% dividend yield. The company, known for brands like Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, and Duncan Hines, represents a classic defensive play in the consumer staples space.

Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander, who boasts a 68% accuracy rate, maintained an Equal-Weight rating while raising the price target from $20 to $21 on September 24, 2025. That's a positive sign, suggesting some upward momentum.

However, UBS analyst Bryan Adams, with a 65% accuracy rate, took a slightly different view. He maintained a Neutral rating but cut the price target from $20 to $19 on the same day. So we've got one analyst nudging the target up and another pushing it down, which tells you the Street is still figuring this one out.

Conagra is scheduled to release its fiscal 2026 second quarter earnings on December 19, which should provide more clarity on the company's direction.

Energizer Holdings: Battery Power With a 6.85% Yield

Energizer Holdings Inc. (ENR) rounds out our trio with a 6.85% dividend yield. The company behind those famous pink bunnies offers investors exposure to both batteries and auto care products.

Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian, with the highest accuracy rate of the bunch at 70%, maintained an Equal-Weight rating but cut the price target from $28 to $22 on November 19, 2025. That's a fairly significant reduction that suggests some near-term headwinds.

Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman, with a 60% accuracy rate, had been more optimistic earlier in the year, maintaining an Equal-Weight rating while boosting the price target from $24 to $27 on August 6, 2025.

The recent earnings report on November 18 helps explain the divergence. Energizer reported mixed fourth-quarter results and issued first-quarter earnings per share guidance that came in below analyst estimates. That's the kind of news that makes analysts reach for the red pen when adjusting price targets.

The Bottom Line on Defensive Dividends

All three of these stocks offer something investors crave during uncertain times: income. But as always, there's no free lunch on Wall Street. The highest yield comes with the most concern from analysts, while the more moderate yielders show mixed signals.

What's interesting is that even the most accurate analysts on the Street are playing it cautiously here, with Equal-Weight and Neutral ratings dominating the coverage. These are defensive stocks offering solid dividends, but they're not screaming buys according to the smart money.

For investors considering these names, the dividend yields are certainly attractive, but it's worth paying attention to why those yields are so high and what the trajectory looks like going forward. Sometimes a high yield is compensation for risk, not just a gift from generous management teams.