Analysts Identify Dividend Stocks to Weather Market Volatility

Market volatility is keeping income-focused investors on their toes as uncertainty in the Middle East, higher interest rates, and concerns about artificial intelligence weigh on portfolios. However, analysts are recommending dividend-paying stocks with strong analyst support and visible cash flow to provide steadier returns.

Chevron stands out among these recommendations, thanks to Goldman Sachs' upgrade of its price target to $240 due to the company's plans to double Venezuelan output to 600 kbd by 2031. Additionally, Chevron is reducing costs in U.S. shale operations through technology deployment and AI-driven optimization.

Enterprise Products Partners also remains a favored choice among analysts, with RBC Capital maintaining its $42 price target despite slightly lowering second-half 2026 estimates due to margin normalization. The company expects buybacks to rise from $150 million in H2 2026 to $200 million in 2027 as capex declines and free cash flow improves.

BMO Capital reaffirms a buy rating on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, citing its 5.2% yield, new partnership opportunities, and improved FFO growth visibility into late 2026. The company's pipeline of organic growth projects and new partnership investment opportunities provides clearer insight into future capital deployment.