11 Worst Performing Dividend Stocks Year-to-Date

Core Insights - Dividend stocks, while popular among long-term investors, have underperformed the broader market, with the Dividend Aristocrats Index rising by nearly 4% in 2025 compared to a 16.6% return for the broader market [2] - A study indicated that non-dividend-paying companies and those that cut dividends have historically underperformed other asset classes, showing higher volatility [3] - During market declines of over 10%, dividend stocks have outperformed non-dividend stocks, with a 14.4% decline compared to nearly 20% for the broader market from 1975 to March 2025 [4] Company Performance - Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has seen a year-to-date decline in share price of 29.8% as of December 8, 2025, attributed to sluggish sales in Latin America and declining alcohol consumption among Gen Z [9][11] - UBS downgraded Diageo to Neutral from Buy, reducing its price target from 2,250 GBp to 1,850 GBp, citing continued downside risks in the US spirits market [10] - Despite challenges, Diageo reported flat organic net sales and a 2.9% growth in organic volume in fiscal Q1 2026, with expectations of approximately $3 billion in free cash flow in 2026 [12][13] Owens Corning Performance - Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) has experienced a year-to-date decline in share price of 32.8% as of December 8, 2025, due to challenging market conditions affecting residential trends in the US [14] - Barclays reduced its price target for Owens Corning to $130 from $131, maintaining an Overweight rating, while noting volatility in the housing market [15] - The company announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.79 per share and returned $278 million to investors through dividends and share repurchases [16][17]