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Top Analysts Highlight 3 High-Dividend Defensive Stocks for Uncertain Markets

MarketDash Editorial Team
2 hours ago
When markets get choppy, investors often seek refuge in dividend stocks that generate strong cash flows and reward shareholders. Here's what Wall Street's most accurate analysts are saying about three consumer staples companies offering yields between 7% and 18%.

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When markets get choppy and uncertainty creeps in, many investors instinctively reach for dividend-paying stocks. The logic is straightforward: these companies typically generate substantial free cash flow and share the wealth with shareholders through consistent dividend payments. In turbulent times, that steady income stream can feel like a financial security blanket.

The consumer staples sector is particularly known for housing these dividend champions. People still need to eat, smoke, and stock their pantries regardless of what the stock market does on any given day. That defensive characteristic makes these stocks popular hiding places when volatility spikes.

Here's what some of Wall Street's most accurate analysts are saying about three high-yielding dividend stocks in the sector.

B&G Foods Inc. (BGS)

Dividend Yield: 18.07%

Yes, you read that correctly. An 18% dividend yield is extraordinary by any measure, which usually means one of two things: either you've found a hidden gem, or the market is seriously concerned about the sustainability of that payout.

Barclays analyst Brandt Montour maintained an Equal-Weight rating but slashed the price target from $5 to $4 on July 15, 2025. This analyst has a 66% accuracy rate, making their opinion worth considering.

Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery also maintained a Neutral rating while cutting the price target from $7 to $5 on May 8, 2025. Lavery's accuracy rate sits at 63%.

The neutral ratings and declining price targets suggest analysts are taking a cautious approach to BGS despite that eye-popping yield. On the positive side, the company named John Ozgopoyan as Executive Vice President of Sales on January 5, signaling potential changes in the sales strategy.

Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG)

Dividend Yield: 8.39%

Conagra's yield is more modest than B&G Foods, but 8.39% still towers above the broader market average. The company owns household brands that fill American pantries, providing that defensive consumer staples exposure investors seek during uncertain times.

Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $20 to $19 on December 12, 2025. Carey brings a 60% accuracy rate to the table.

Stifel analyst Matthew Smith also maintained a Hold rating and reduced the price target from $21 to $19 on December 11, 2025. Smith's accuracy rate is 52%.

The company delivered some good news on December 19, reporting quarterly earnings of 45 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 44 cents per share. Beating expectations is always preferable to missing them, even if the margin was just a penny.

Altria Group Inc. (MO)

Dividend Yield: 7.11%

Altria represents the tobacco industry's continued ability to generate substantial cash flows and return value to shareholders through dividends. A 7.11% yield remains attractive in today's market environment, even as societal attitudes toward smoking continue to evolve.

B of A Securities analyst Lisa Lewandowski maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $64 to $72 on August 22, 2025. Lewandowski has a 58% accuracy rate.

Not everyone shares that optimism. Barclays analyst Gaurav Jain maintained an Underweight rating while increasing the price target from $49 to $57 on August 6, 2025. Jain also has a 58% accuracy rate, creating an interesting contrast between two analysts with similar track records but opposing views.

The company announced a significant leadership change on December 11, with CEO Billy Gifford retiring and Sal Mancuso appointed as his successor. Leadership transitions always introduce an element of uncertainty, though Altria's business model has proven remarkably durable over the decades.

When evaluating high-dividend stocks, investors should remember that yield alone doesn't tell the complete story. A soaring yield can signal either an attractive opportunity or a dividend at risk of being cut. The key is understanding whether the company generates sufficient cash flow to sustain the payout and whether the business faces structural headwinds that could jeopardize future distributions.

These three consumer staples companies offer varying levels of yield and risk. The analyst ratings suggest a generally cautious outlook, with most maintaining neutral to conservative stances. For dividend-focused investors willing to accept different risk profiles, these stocks represent options worth researching further as potential defensive holdings during market uncertainty.

Back to Stock Market News

Top Analysts Highlight 3 High-Dividend Defensive Stocks for Uncertain Markets

MarketDash Editorial Team
2 hours ago
When markets get choppy, investors often seek refuge in dividend stocks that generate strong cash flows and reward shareholders. Here's what Wall Street's most accurate analysts are saying about three consumer staples companies offering yields between 7% and 18%.

Get B&G Foods Alerts

Weekly insights + SMS alerts

When markets get choppy and uncertainty creeps in, many investors instinctively reach for dividend-paying stocks. The logic is straightforward: these companies typically generate substantial free cash flow and share the wealth with shareholders through consistent dividend payments. In turbulent times, that steady income stream can feel like a financial security blanket.

The consumer staples sector is particularly known for housing these dividend champions. People still need to eat, smoke, and stock their pantries regardless of what the stock market does on any given day. That defensive characteristic makes these stocks popular hiding places when volatility spikes.

Here's what some of Wall Street's most accurate analysts are saying about three high-yielding dividend stocks in the sector.

B&G Foods Inc. (BGS)

Dividend Yield: 18.07%

Yes, you read that correctly. An 18% dividend yield is extraordinary by any measure, which usually means one of two things: either you've found a hidden gem, or the market is seriously concerned about the sustainability of that payout.

Barclays analyst Brandt Montour maintained an Equal-Weight rating but slashed the price target from $5 to $4 on July 15, 2025. This analyst has a 66% accuracy rate, making their opinion worth considering.

Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery also maintained a Neutral rating while cutting the price target from $7 to $5 on May 8, 2025. Lavery's accuracy rate sits at 63%.

The neutral ratings and declining price targets suggest analysts are taking a cautious approach to BGS despite that eye-popping yield. On the positive side, the company named John Ozgopoyan as Executive Vice President of Sales on January 5, signaling potential changes in the sales strategy.

Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG)

Dividend Yield: 8.39%

Conagra's yield is more modest than B&G Foods, but 8.39% still towers above the broader market average. The company owns household brands that fill American pantries, providing that defensive consumer staples exposure investors seek during uncertain times.

Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $20 to $19 on December 12, 2025. Carey brings a 60% accuracy rate to the table.

Stifel analyst Matthew Smith also maintained a Hold rating and reduced the price target from $21 to $19 on December 11, 2025. Smith's accuracy rate is 52%.

The company delivered some good news on December 19, reporting quarterly earnings of 45 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 44 cents per share. Beating expectations is always preferable to missing them, even if the margin was just a penny.

Altria Group Inc. (MO)

Dividend Yield: 7.11%

Altria represents the tobacco industry's continued ability to generate substantial cash flows and return value to shareholders through dividends. A 7.11% yield remains attractive in today's market environment, even as societal attitudes toward smoking continue to evolve.

B of A Securities analyst Lisa Lewandowski maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $64 to $72 on August 22, 2025. Lewandowski has a 58% accuracy rate.

Not everyone shares that optimism. Barclays analyst Gaurav Jain maintained an Underweight rating while increasing the price target from $49 to $57 on August 6, 2025. Jain also has a 58% accuracy rate, creating an interesting contrast between two analysts with similar track records but opposing views.

The company announced a significant leadership change on December 11, with CEO Billy Gifford retiring and Sal Mancuso appointed as his successor. Leadership transitions always introduce an element of uncertainty, though Altria's business model has proven remarkably durable over the decades.

When evaluating high-dividend stocks, investors should remember that yield alone doesn't tell the complete story. A soaring yield can signal either an attractive opportunity or a dividend at risk of being cut. The key is understanding whether the company generates sufficient cash flow to sustain the payout and whether the business faces structural headwinds that could jeopardize future distributions.

These three consumer staples companies offer varying levels of yield and risk. The analyst ratings suggest a generally cautious outlook, with most maintaining neutral to conservative stances. For dividend-focused investors willing to accept different risk profiles, these stocks represent options worth researching further as potential defensive holdings during market uncertainty.