Top Wall Street analysts recommend these 3 dividend stocks for solid returns

Global stock markets remain volatile amid uncertainty in the Middle East and a focus on artificial intelligence stocks. Investors seeking steady income can bolster their portfolios by adding dividend stocks with attractive yields. Top Wall Street analysts can help pick stocks that pay regular dividends while having the ability to generate capital appreciation and boost total returns. Here are three dividend-paying stocks that are highlighted by Wall Street's top pros, as tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance. Viper Energy Viper Energy is a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy and is focused on owning and acquiring mineral and royalty interests, primarily in the Permian Basin. For Q1 2026, the company declared a base dividend of 38 cents per share and a variable dividend of 30 cents per share. VNOM offers a dividend yield of 5%. Recently, RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold initiated coverage of Viper Energy stock with a buy rating and a price target of $58 . "The company is advantaged given its scale, core Permian focus, inventory duration, and aligned operating partner," said Hanold. Specifically, the five-star analyst highlighted that Viper's Permian-focused asset base and significant scale relative to peers position it as a best-in-class operator. Hanold added that VNOM's 75% liquids-weighted production mix offers meaningful leverage in a strong oil price environment. …