5 High-Dividend Stocks That Could Outperform Over The Next Three Years

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Key Takeaways

• AbbVie grew 2025 revenue 8.6% to $61.16 billion and raised its dividend 5.5% for 2026, backed by strong drug sales

• Chevron reported record 2025 production and a 158% reserve replacement ratio, with analysts leaning toward a Buy rating

• Shell generated $26.1 billion in free cash flow in 2025 and is one of the world’s largest LNG operators

• Enterprise Products Partners yields close to 6% with 1.7x distribution coverage, showing the payout is well supported

• Realty Income posted Q4 2025 AFFO of $1.08 per share, and the company pays its dividend monthly

5 high-dividend stocks are drawing attention from income investors looking for reliable returns over the next three to five years. The names are AbbVie, Chevron, Shell, Enterprise Products Partners, and Realty Income.

Each stock has maintained yields above 3%, and each also has a business case that goes beyond just the dividend. The idea is not to chase the biggest yield. It is to find companies with steady cash flow, manageable debt, and dividends backed by real earnings.

AbbVie

To start, AbbVie is the top-ranked pick in the group. The stock yields around 3.3%, and the company reported 2025 revenue of $61.16 billion, up 8.6% from the prior year.

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Drugs like Skyrizi and Rinvoq have helped replace lost sales from Humira, which faced biosimilar competition in recent years. The transition has gone better than many analysts expected.

AbbVie raised its dividend by 5.5% for 2026. On Wall Street, MarketBeat shows 16 buys, 9 holds, and 0 sells, giving it a Moderate Buy rating. As of the time of writing, no analyst currently has a sell on the stock.

Chevron

Chevron reported record production levels in 2025 and reserve replacement ratio of 158%, meaning it replaced far more oil and gas reserves than it produced during the year.

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The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.78 per share. Analyst sentiment sits at a Hold overall, with 14 buys, 6 holds, and 4 sells on MarketBeat.

The mixed rating could work in investors’ favor. Less enthusiasm from Wall Street often leaves more room for upside if oil prices hold firm and the company keeps returning cash to shareholders.

Shell

Shell is not just an oil company. It is also one of the largest liquefied natural gas operators in the world, which gives it a different profile from most U.S. energy peers.

In 2025, Shell generated $42.9 billion in cash flow from operations and $26.1 billion in free cash flow. The company targets returning 40% to 50% of operating cash flow to shareholders. MarketBeat lists Shell with 6 buys, 13 holds, and 0 sell ratings. Its LNG business adds a layer of exposure that many pure oil majors do not offer.

Enterprise Products Partners

Enterprise Products Partners offers the highest yield in the group at close to 6%. The partnership reported distribution coverage of 1.7x in its latest results, meaning cash flow comfortably covers the payout.

That coverage ratio matters. A yield near 6% can look like a warning sign, but strong coverage suggests the dividend is not under pressure at the moment.

MarketBeat shows a Moderate Buy consensus with 10 buys, 6 holds, and 2 sells. Investors who take a position will receive a K-1 tax form, which is standard for master limited partnerships.

Realty Income

Realty Income is known as “The Monthly Dividend Company,” and it pays shareholders every month. The company reported Q4 2025 adjusted funds from operations of $1.08 per share, with net debt to EBITDAre at 5.4x.

The stock is rate-sensitive, meaning its performance tends to track interest rate moves closely. If rates fall over the next few years, Realty Income could benefit from both its yield and a rise in its valuation.

Analyst sentiment appears to be cautious, with 6 buys, 9 holds, and 1 sell on MarketBeat and a broader Hold consensus on StockAnalysis.

Final Thoughts

Across all five names, AbbVie ranks first for its blend of income and earnings growth. Chevron and Shell offer energy exposure with strong cash returns. Enterprise Products ranks fourth for high income, and Realty Income comes in fifth for monthly dividends and potential rate-driven upside.