3 Dividend Stocks I'd Actually Bet My Own Portfolio On

One of the upsides of being in the market-commentary business is that you come across a bunch of fantastic stocks. I can't necessarily buy them all, largely due to practicality -- I don't always have room for yet another holding in my portfolio.

Regardless, if and when I find room and reason to add a new dividend payer to my portfolio in the foreseeable future, I can honestly say these three dividend stocks will be at the top of my watch list. I'd suggest putting them at the top of your watch list as well, if not going ahead and buying them now.

Enbridge

Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) isn't a particularly well-known dividend-paying stock. After 31 consecutive years of dividend growth and a forward yield of 5.6% at the current share price, however, it's definitely one that should be on your radar. But not just because of its solid yield and persistent payment increases. The crux of the bullish argument here is the company's underlying business model.

See, Enbridge is a pipeline company. Its 19,373 miles of natural gas pipelines transport about one-fifth of the natural gas consumed within the United States, while its 18,085-mile crude oil pipeline network handles nearly one-third of North America's total production. It's also developing other profit centers like a solar power farm in Texas and an offshore wind power project off the coast of Bessin, France.

All of these businesses have one thing in common (other than being energy related). That is, they all generate recurring revenue that supports those persistent dividend payments and dividend growth. That's even true of its pipelines. Although the prices of the oil and natural gas being pushed through these pipes are constantly fluctuating, the prices that Enbridge charges for the use of its pipeline network are consistent and volume based. As long as the U.S. continues to consume natural gas and crude oil like it has in the past -- which it is -- Enbridge will enjoy reliable revenue that's readily converted into profits, which in turn can keep funding the dividend.

Verizon Communications

For better or worse, Americans are essentially addicted to their smartphones. A recent study done by Harmony Healthcare IT indicates that U.S. mobile phone owners look at their screens for an average of over five hours every day. In a separate indication of the same addiction, recent reporting from Reviews.org says the typical American checked their phone 186 times every day in 2025, whether or not there was a specific reason to do so (like a notification chime), with most of the survey's respondents reporting they feel uneasy whenever they leave home without their mobile device.

Mental health matters notwithstanding, this dynamic is a fantastic one for wireless telecom service provider Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), which as of the end of June boasted nearly 147 million paying customer accounts.

Image source: Getty Images.

It's not a growth stock by any stretch of the imagination. Like every other name in the nation's well-saturated mobile telecom business, most of Verizon's growth from here will depend on population growth and price increases, neither of which is apt to soar at any point in the foreseeable future. It's purely a value stock, and an income stock in particular.

But what an income stock it is! With nearly every adult living in the U.S. committed to keeping their mobile phones turned on and connected, Verizon's now been able to raise its dividend for 19 consecutive years, with a 20th boost almost certainly around the corner.

And that's based on a dividend payment, by the way, with a solid forward yield of 5.7% at the current share price. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better yield from a company with a comparable risk and dividend growth profile.

Brookfield Renewable

Last but not least, I'm adding Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEPC) to my list of dividend stocks I'd personally be willing to buy. Its forward yield of 4.8% paired with the sheer pace of its payout growth should make it too compelling for most income-minded investors to pass up.

If the name rings a bell, it may be because you're familiar with one of the asset manager's related offerings like Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Business Partners (the version of Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP) that's organized for tax purposes as a limited partnership), or perhaps the parent company and overarching investment manager, Brookfield Asset Management. All of them are attractive income investments in their own ways.

If I could only own one of these options, though, I would pick Brookfield Renewable ("BEPC").

As the name suggests, this slice of Brookfield's family largely focuses on renewable energy businesses. Brookfield Renewable holds stakes in several privately owned ventures like hydropower stations, wind farms, and solar power facilities that aren't otherwise ownable by ordinary investors. These assets are often better performing in the long run simply because these companies need not attempt to keep shareholders happy via short-term moves, freeing management to favor smart, long-term-focused decisions.

Perhaps more important to income-minded investors, Brookfield has publicly committed BEPC to a pace of dividend growth that beats most other dividend stocks. Specifically, Brookfield Renewable is targeting long-term annual distribution (payout) growth of between 5% and 9%, contributing to net annual returns of between 12% and 15%.

The thing is, given the business's history and its plausible future, Brookfield can certainly deliver such results.

James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield Asset Management and Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.