Dividend-paying stocks remain in focus heading into the end of 2025, with investors favouring established financial institutions, high-yield energy companies and resilient consumer brands that continue to deliver steady income despite market volatility.
Provident Financial Services (NYSE: PFS) stands out as a key pick for December. The bank has maintained a 23-year streak of consistent dividend payments, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable income stock. As of late December 2025, PFS offers a dividend yield of roughly 4.64 percent to 4.69 percent. Its most recent quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share was paid on November 28, 2025. Financially, the company remains on solid footing, reporting Q3 2025 earnings of US$0.55 per share and a sustainable payout ratio in the 48 percent to 49 percent range, suggesting room to maintain dividends even in a tougher economic environment.
Beyond PFS, several U.S. stocks continue to appeal to income-focused portfolios. Altria Group (MO) leads the pack with a yield of about 7.1 percent, supported by strong adjusted earnings and its strategic shift toward smoke-free products. Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) offers a yield of 5.35 percent, while Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) provides a near-6.9 percent yield, underpinned by stable cash flows in the energy infrastructure space. Other notable names include Ennis (EBF) at 5.52 percent, United Bancorp (UBCP) at 5.6 percent, Chevron (CVX) at 4.54 percent, and Target (TGT) at 4.68 percent, backed by its long history of dividend growth.
For investors looking beyond the U.S., global dividend opportunities also remain attractive. Yeni Gimat Gayrimenkul in Turkey yields around 5.48 percent, while Telekom Austria offers approximately 4.54 percent. Meanwhile, growth-oriented dividend investors are watching companies such as Sirius XM (SIRI), with a five-year dividend growth rate of 15.2 percent, and Nexstar Media Group (NXST), which boasts an impressive 30.3 percent dividend CAGR over the same period.
Overall, December 2025 highlights a dividend landscape where yield, consistency and balance-sheet strength remain central, as investors prioritise dependable income amid lingering economic uncertainty.
