The S&P 500's Yield Is at Historic Lows. Here Are 3 Dividend Stocks I'd Buy in September.

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) dividend yield is hovering around a historic low near 1%. If you're trying to generate more passive income, you don't have to settle for that. Some of the best-known consumer brands offer higher yields.

Three quality dividend stocks I'd buy this month are McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL), and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG). These stocks yield 2.3% or more, and their dividends are supported by strong free cash flow.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. McDonald's

At the time of this writing, shares of McDonald's are trading about 23% below their recent highs, pushing the forward dividend yield up to 2.89% -- nearly three times the market average.

The sell-off stems from soft U.S. comparable sales, which rose just 0.8% year over year in the second quarter. Notably, management didn't place the blame on high gas prices or other external headwinds. They pointed to execution issues -- and that kind of determination to improve operations is what can drive excellent returns for shareholders over time.

McDonald's remains a global powerhouse with a profitable business model, generating revenue from fees paid by franchised restaurants. About 95% of its restaurants are franchised. Over the last year, it generated $7.8 billion in free cash flow on $28 billion in revenue and paid out 67% of free cash flow as dividends.

Management also sees room to expand margins by reducing complexity and improving restaurant efficiency and service times. The dividend has grown about 7% annually over the past five years, and stronger margins should help maintain that trend.

With a 49-year streak of dividend increases and a renewed focus on productivity, McDonald's looks well-positioned to reward patient income investors.

2. Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive is trading roughly 17% off its recent highs, lifting its forward dividend yield to 2.35%. It's a classic staples business: steady demand, resilient cash flow, and a long history of annual dividend growth.

Trailing-12-month revenue rose 5% year over year to $21 billion, supported by premium products like Hill's pet nutrition and strength in international markets.

Colgate is a global leader in toothpaste, with 41% market share in 2025. Selling everyday essentials in oral and personal care generates reliable sales and the free cash flow that funds consistent dividend growth. TTM free cash flow increased 14% to $3.8 billion, and the company paid out 43% of that free cash flow as dividends.

Colgate has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years. The dividend has grown at about 3% annually over the last five years. With management focused on lowering costs, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, to support margin expansion, investors should expect continued dividend growth over the long term.

3. Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble is down about 18% from its highs, bringing its forward dividend yield to 2.96%. That's compelling for a company whose products consumers buy year-round, in good economies and bad.

Growth has cooled amid sluggish consumer spending, but organic sales still increased 1% year over year. P&G is also dealing with margin pressure from higher costs, which has weighed on margins. Even so, adjusted earnings still grew 1%, showing the business can absorb turbulence.

Big consumer brands inevitably hit slower patches -- but P&G's dividend track record is hard to match. It has paid a dividend for 136 years and raised it for 70 straight years, including through every recession in the past half-century.

In fiscal 2026 (ending in June), P&G returned $10 billion in dividends out of $15 billion in free cash flow, a payout ratio of roughly 67%. With a five-year dividend growth rate of around 5% and a portfolio anchored by brands like Tide, Gillette, and Oral-B, P&G's dividend streak appears well-positioned to continue.

John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Colgate-Palmolive. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $320 calls on McDonald's and short January 2028 $340 calls on McDonald's. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.