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The stock market is still near record highs, but volatility has returned in recent weeks. Big swings up and down in the stock market are a reminder to investors that stocks can (and do) decline from time to time.

Because of this, income investors can position themselves for a bear market by buying quality dividend stocks that have each raised their dividends for many years. Dividend growth stocks have durable competitive advantages and long-term growth.

These 3 bear market stocks can be purchased for market-beating yields, and stable dividends even during recessions.

Hanover Insurance Group (THG)

The Hanover Insurance Group is a holding company whose primary business is offering property and casualty insurance products and services. The company markets itself through independent agents and brokers in the United States. In 2024, Personal Lines accounted for approximately 41% of segmented revenues; Commercial Lines, 36%; Other Property & Casualty, 23%. The company operates an investment portfolio that is primarily exposed to fixed-income securities.

On October 29th, 2025, The Hanover Insurance Group reported its financial results for the third quarter for the period ending September 30th, 2025. The company announced net income of $178.7 million, or $4.90 per diluted share, a substantial improvement from $102.1 million, or $2.80 per diluted share, in the same period the previous year.

Operating income for the quarter was $185.6 million, or $5.09 per diluted share, compared to $111.3 million, or $3.05 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. The combined ratio for the third quarter, excluding catastrophes, was 88.1%, reflecting enhanced underwriting profitability across all segments. This improvement was underpinned by disciplined pricing, with renewal price increases of 8.3% in Specialty, 9.9% in Core Commercial, and 10.5% in Personal Lines.

Net investment income rose by 27.5% to $117.0 million, supported by higher earned yields and strong operational cash flows. The overall combined ratio stood at 91.1%, with catastrophe losses of $46.2 million, or 3.0 points of the combined ratio, mainly from weather-related events.

THG has increased its dividend for 20 consecutive years.

PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage company that generates $89 billion in annual sales. The company’s products include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Frito-Lay chips, Gatorade, Tropicana orange juice and Quaker foods.

The company has more than 20 $1 billion brands in its portfolio. On February 4th, 2025, PepsiCo increased its annualized dividend by 5.0% to $5.69 starting with the payment that was made in June 2025, extending the company’s dividend growth streak to 53 consecutive years.

On October 9th, 2025, PepsiCo reported third quarter earnings results for the period ending September 30th, 2025. For the quarter, revenue grew 2.7% to $23.9 billion, which beat estimates by $90 million. Adjusted earnings-per-share of $2.29 compared unfavorably to $2.31 the prior year, but this was $0.03 better than expected.

Organic sales grew 1.3% for the third quarter. For the period, volumes for both beverages and foods were down 1%. PepsiCo Beverages North America’s organic revenue grew 2% for the period even as volume declined by 3%.

Revenue for PepsiCo Foods North America decreased 3%, largely due to divestitures. Food volume decreased 4%. The International Beverages segment fell 1%, primarily due to lower volume. Revenues in Europe/Middle East/Africa were up 5.5%. Food volume declined 1%, but this was offset by a 1.5% gain in beverages.

PepsiCo reaffirmed prior guidance for 2025, with the company still expecting organic sales in the low single-digit range. The company has increased its dividend for 53 years, making it a Dividend King.

PPG Industries (PPG)

PPG Industries is the world’s largest paints and coatings company. Its only competitors of similar size are Sherwin-Williams and Dutch paint company Akzo Nobel. PPG Industries was founded in 1883 as a manufacturer and distributor of glass (its name stands for Pittsburgh Plate Glass) and today has approximately 3,500 technical employees located in more than 70 countries at 100 locations.

On July 17th, 2025, PPG Industries raised its quarterly dividend 4.4% to $0.71, extending the company’s dividend growth streak to 54 consecutive years.

On October 28th, 2025, PPG Industries reported third quarter results for the period ending September 30th, 2025. For the quarter, revenue declined 10.7% to $4.1 billion, but this was $50 million above estimates. Adjusted earnings-per-share of $2.13 matched the prior year’s result, but this was $0.05 better than expected.

Organic growth was 2% for the quarter due to higher prices and improved product volume. Revenue for Global Architectural Coatings, which was formerly part of Performance Coatings, grew 1% to $1.01 billion as higher prices and a benefit from foreign currency translation was offset by weaker volume and divestitures.

Latin America and Asia Pacific performed well during the period. Performance Coatings grew 3% to $1.41 billion due to higher prices that were offset by weaker volume. Aerospace, protective and marine coatings, and traffic solutions all were higher for the quarter.

Revenue for Industrial Coatings was unchanged at $1.66 billion. Volume grew 4%, but was offset by slightly weaker pricing and divestitures. Automotive OEMs returned to growth during the quarter, with volume growth seen in all regions. This business outpaced the global automotive industry by ~300 basis points.

PPG Industries repurchased ~$150 million worth of shares during Q3 and has retired ~$690 million worth of shares year-to-date. For 2025, the company now expects adjusted earnings-per-share in a range of $7.60 to $7.70.

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