Top Wall Street analysts are bullish on these 3 dividend-paying energy stocks

Core Viewpoint - The disruption caused by the U.S.-Iran conflict has led to a spike in oil prices, positively impacting oil companies and making dividend-paying stocks attractive for investors [1]. Group 1: Chord Energy - Chord Energy (CHRD) returned approximately 50% of its adjusted free cash flow to shareholders in Q4 2025, with a base dividend of $1.30 per share and $10 million in share repurchases, resulting in an annualized dividend of $5.20 per share and a yield of 4.2% [3]. - UBS analyst Josh Silverstein reiterated a buy rating on Chord Energy, raising the price target from $119 to $142, citing rising energy prices amid geopolitical risks [4]. - Silverstein's revised price target reflects an increase in his multiple to 3.50-times from 3.25-times, justified by the company's inventory growth and improved capital efficiency [5]. - Chord Energy is positioned strongly in the Williston Basin and is expected to reduce leverage to below 0.5-times, enhancing capital returns from 50% to 75% of adjusted free cash flow [6][7]. Group 2: Permian Resources - Permian Resources (PR) announced a quarterly base dividend of 16 cents per share, with a dividend yield of about 3.2% [8]. - RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold reiterated a buy rating on Permian Resources, increasing the price target from $18 to $20, noting strong operational and financial results [9]. - The company is expected to achieve oil production in the upper half of the 186 to 192 Mb/d range, reflecting a 4% year-over-year increase, while capital expenditures are projected to decrease by 6% year-over-year [11]. - Hanold emphasized the company's focus on natural gas commercialization, which has reduced exposure to low WAHA gas prices, and highlighted balance sheet flexibility for opportunistic buybacks and acquisitions [12]. Group 3: EOG Resources - EOG Resources (EOG) generated $4.7 billion in free cash flow in 2025, returning 100% to shareholders through dividends and $2.5 billion in share repurchases, with a declared dividend of $1.02 per share and a yield of 3.1% [14]. - Jefferies analyst Lloyd Byrne reiterated a buy rating on EOG Resources with a price target of $146, noting it as the best-performing large-cap oil company post-Middle East conflict [15]. - Byrne highlighted management's insights on production stabilization and capital efficiency opportunities, particularly in the New Mexico shallower zone, which has shown improved well productivity [16][18].