20 Best Performing Dividend Stocks in 2025

Market Overview - The S&P 500 has increased nearly 18% in 2025, marking the potential for a third consecutive year of double-digit gains for the broader US market [1] - Wall Street anticipates continued profit growth, with S&P 500 earnings expected to rise by approximately 15.5% in 2026, up from 13.2% in 2025 and 12.1% in 2024 [2] - Goldman Sachs forecasts a 2.6% growth in US GDP for 2026, slightly above consensus, indicating a supportive environment for stock prices [3] Dividend Stocks Performance - The Dividend Aristocrat index, tracking companies with at least 25 consecutive years of dividend growth, has risen over 6% this year, maintaining investor interest in dividend stocks for income and consistency [4] - A review of companies with the strongest returns in 2025 led to the selection of 20 dividend-paying stocks based on year-to-date performance, not on dividend size [6] Company Highlights C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW) - YTD return as of December 30 is 58.08% with a dividend yield of 1.56% [9] - The company reported a profit beat in Q3 2025, attributed to its use of AI for operational efficiency, which has helped streamline logistics processes [10][12] - Revenue for the North American Surface Transportation segment increased by 1.1%, despite a challenging backdrop in US freight volumes [11] RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) - YTD return as of December 30 is 58.84% with a dividend yield of 1.48% [13] - The company secured a $1.6 billion sustainment contract for F135 engines and raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook to $6.10 to $6.20, up from $5.80 to $5.95 [15][16] - RTX's ability to manage tariff impacts positively reflects on its business outlook, with a forecasted revenue increase to $86.5 billion to $87 billion [17] HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) - YTD return as of December 30 is 58.85% with a dividend yield of 0.61% [18] - The company reported a 2.1% year-over-year increase in same-facility admissions and a 6.6% increase in revenue per equivalent admission [20] - HCA aims to increase its market share from 27% in 2022 to 29% by 2030, supported by an aging population and ongoing investments in technology [21][22]