My Top Stock Picks For February Dividends
Let’s kick off Super Bowl month with stocks that pay dividends in February! Thus, I have a hefty serving of February dividends from my favorite list of February dividend payers. Let’s get moving.
Stocks That Pay Dividends In February
| Company | Symbol | S&P 500 Sector |
| 1. Abbott Labs | ABT | Health Care |
| 2. AbbVie | ABBV | Health Care |
| 3. Air Products | APD | Materials |
| 4. Apple | AAPL | Technology |
| 5. AT&T | T | Telecommunications |
| 6. Caterpillar | CAT | Industrials |
| 7. Clorox | CLX | Consumer Staples |
| 8. Colgate-Palmolive | CL | Consumer Staples |
| 9. General Dynamics | GD | Industrials |
| 10. Hormel Foods | HRL | Consumer Staples |
| 11. Lowe’s | LOW | Consumer Discretionary |
| 12. Paychex | PAYX | Industrials |
| 13. Procter & Gamble | PG | Consumer Discretionary |
| 14. Realty Income | O | Real Estate |
| 15. Verizon | VZ | Telecommunications |
Next, I will highlight several points about these outstanding companies that pay dividends in February. Then, before wrapping up, I will offer some dividend investing tips for maximizing your dividend income.
Let’s continue.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. Abbott Labs
- Stock symbol: ABT
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 9.3%
- Increased dividend annually since 1972
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend: Mid-January
Abbott is a global healthcare company. The company has been in business for more than 125 years.
I worked at Abbott for ten years. I accumulated the company’s stock in my 401(k) account during my employment and still hold shares today.
The company’s business lines are focused on four areas:
- Diagnostic tests
- Medical devices
- Generic pharmaceuticals
- Nutritional products
Abbott spun off its branded pharmaceutical division into a separate publically traded company in 2013. That company (AbbVie) is another one of today’s stocks that pays dividends in February.
Disclosure: I own ABT stock.
Related article: A Dividend Portfolio for Monthly Income
2. AbbVie
- Stock symbol: ABBV
- Increased dividend annually since 2013
- The ex-dividend date for February dividend: Mid-January
AbbVie has over 100 years of operating history in the pharmaceutical sector as part of Abbott and as a stand-alone company.
Since the company’s inception, management has rewarded shareholders with rapid dividend growth. It’s just a matter of time before AbbVie becomes a Dividend Achiever as a stand-alone company.
Disclosure: I own ABBV stock.
3. Air Products & Chemicals
- Stock symbol: APD
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 10.9%
- Increased dividend annually since 1982
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is late December.
Established in 1940, Air Products is a major global producer of industrial gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The company provides gases to more than 30 industries globally, including refining, chemicals, electronics, metals, manufacturing, medical, and food.
Disclosure: I previously owned APD stock but sold it to consolidate my dividend stock holdings.
4. Apple
- Stock symbol: AAPL
- Increased dividend annually since 2013
- The ex-dividend date for February dividend: Early February
Headquartered in Cupertino, California, the company is most well-known for the iPhone.
Historically, Apple has had a low dividend yield. Thus, some investors argue that Apple is not a good dividend stock.
Conversely, the dividend yield is so low because the stock price has increased rapidly. As a result, Apple stock has generated excellent long-term total returns for investors seeking February dividends.
Disclosure: I own AAPL stock.
5. AT&T
From a low dividend yield to a much higher one, here is yet another February dividend payer, AT&T, a world leader in telecommunications.
- Stock symbol: T
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is early January.
The stock market has not rewarded AT&T’s shares, pushing down the price and increasing the dividend yield. Furthermore, management reduced the dividend in 2022 after spinning off WarnerMedia.
I’m not a big fan of stocks that reduce their dividends. However, AT&T’s hefty dividend yield is hard to ignore.
Disclosure: I previously owned T stock but sold it because it no longer met my investment objectives.
6. Caterpillar
- Stock symbol: CAT
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 10.6%
- Increased dividend annually since 1994
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend: Mid-January
Caterpillar, established in 1925, is a prominent player in the construction and mining equipment industry. Furthermore, the company is among the world’s most significant industrial stocks. In addition to machinery, Caterpillar produces products like diesel engines and gas turbines.
Disclosure: I own CAT stock.
7. Clorox
- Stock symbol: CLX
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 8.4%
- Increased dividend annually since 1978
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is late January.
The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, including many trusted brands in the household products, food, and beverage categories.
Clorox is a Dividend Aristocrat, like many of the stocks on today’s list of companies that pay dividends in February. I recommend pulling out that Clorox “Clean-Up” bottle to disinfect your kitchen and baths while collecting a reliable, steady, growing dividend income.
Disclosure: I previously owned CLX stock but sold it to reduce my holdings in the consumer staples sector.
8. Colgate-Palmolive
- Stock symbol: CL
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 7.6%
- Increased dividend annually since 1963
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is mid-January.
Colgate-Palmolive, established in 1806 by William Colgate, is one of the oldest companies on the US stock market.
Initially a starch, soap, and candle business in New York City, it now produces oral care (toothpaste), personal care (soap), home cleaning, and pet food products. The company’s major brands include Colgate, Palmolive, and Hill’s Science Diet.
Disclosure: I previously owned CL stock but sold it to reduce my holdings in the consumer staples sector.
9. General Dynamics
- Stock symbol: GD
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 13.7%
- Increased dividend annually since 1991
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend: Mid-January
General Dynamics is a leader in the aerospace and defense industry, with a long history of dividend increases and steady growth.
The company’s primary operating segments include:
- Aerospace
- Combat Systems
- Technology applications
- Marine Systems
Disclosure: GD is on my watch list.
10. Hormel Foods
- Stock symbol: HRL
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 12.9%
- Increased dividend annually since 1966
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend: Mid-January
Hormel Foods is one of the best stocks that pay dividends and is a Dividend King. Management increases the dividend by a substantial amount each year.
The company manufactures and markets high-quality, brand-name food and meat products. Hormel has over 50 name brands. Chances are you have enjoyed one or more of their products as part of a meal or snack.
Disclosure: I own HRL stock.
11. Lowe’s Companies
- Stock symbol: LOW
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 25%
- Increased dividend annually since 1972
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend: Mid-January
Founded in 1946, Lowe’s is now the second-largest home improvement retailer after Home Depot.
The company operates about 2,200 U.S., Canada, and Mexico stores, providing customers with home maintenance, repair, remodeling, and decoration products. Lowe’s offers a broad selection of leading national and private brands.
Disclosure: LOW stock is on my watch list.
12. Paychex
- Stock symbol: PAYX
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 6.8%
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is late January.
Paychex provides integrated human capital management (HCM) solutions. Their services include payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance, specializing in small to mid-sized businesses.
The company is known for increasing its dividend rapidly. However, management temporarily paused dividend growth during the pandemic. Otherwise, the company is known for its steadily growing dividend income.
Paychex is one of those great dividend stocks that always seems to fly under the radar. That’s why I have owned Paychex stock for many years, collecting dividends in February, May, August, and November.
Disclosure: I own PAYX stock.
13. Procter & Gamble
- Stock symbol: PG
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 8.1%
- Increased dividend annually since 1957
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend: Mid-January
Procter & Gamble is a branded consumer goods company. Tide detergent and Bounty paper towels are two of their well-known brands.
Dividend growth has slowed in recent years. However, there is no arguing about P&G’s place as a good dividend stock. After all, P&G is a Dividend King.
Disclosure: I own PG stock.
14. Realty Income
Realty Income is one of the most consistent dividend-paying stocks you can find.
- Stock symbol: O
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 4%
- Increased dividend annually since 1994
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is late January.
Realty Income owns and rents out commercial properties. Most importantly, Realty Income is known as the Monthly Dividend Company.
Yes. The company pays dividends in February. However, it is one of the relatively few high-quality stock picks that pay dividends monthly.
Do you want to make money from dividends every month? If yes, then Realty Income is a good dividend stock to consider.
Disclosure: I own O stock.
15. Verizon
For my final February dividend-paying stock, I have Verizon.
- Stock symbol: VZ
- 20-year annual average dividend growth rate: 2.7%
- Increased dividend annually since 2007
- The ex-dividend date for the February dividend is early January.
Verizon’s portfolio of investments, assets, and services makes it one of the world’s leading providers of communications, information, and entertainment products.
The stock is known for slow, steady dividend income growth and a higher-than-average dividend yield. Verizon is a widespread holding for many dividend stock investors because of its high dividend yield and reliable dividend income.
Disclosure: I own VZ stock.
Okay. That concludes my review of 15 stocks that pay dividends in February. Today’s list represents some of the stocks I own in my dividend portfolio.
Investing For February Dividends: Additional Tips And Resources
Next, here’s a hefty serving of tips and resources about February dividends and the stocks that pay them.
Why A List Of Stocks That Pay Dividends In February?
Including February dividend stocks in your portfolio is a smart choice for creating a stable monthly income.
Whether you are retired, relying on dividends to cover bills, or aiming for financial freedom, having stocks that pay dividends every month, including February, is crucial.
Moreover, all the stocks in today’s list pay dividends in February, May, August, and November. They’re quarterly dividend payers, beginning in February. With one exception, Realty Income stands out. The company pays its dividends monthly.
Related article: Companies that Pay Dividends in March
February Dividend Stocks That Increase Their Dividends Every Year: Dividend Growth Stocks
Today’s dividend stock list that pays dividends in February features high-quality dividend growth stocks. Thus, most of these companies raise their dividend payments each year.
Many are from the lists of:
| Dividend Kings | 50 years* |
| Dividend Aristocrats | 25 years* |
| Dividend Achievers | 10 years* |
How To Use This List Of Stocks That Pay Dividends In February
Check your monthly dividend income to get the most out of today’s stock list. If February is one of your lower months for collecting dividends, consider investing in one or more of today’s stocks.
Related article: How I Make $500 in Monthly Dividends
Be Aware Of The Ex-Dividend Date When Investing In February Dividend Stocks
You must invest no later than the day before the ex-dividend date to receive a stock’s February dividend.
Typically, a stock’s ex-dividend date falls in the month BEFORE it pays dividends. However, the timing of each company’s ex-dividend date is different.
Related article: Lessons I learned from Dividend Investing 101
Do Your Homework Before Investing For More February Dividends
Dividend investing has risks, like any investment strategy.
Most importantly, never buy a stock only because it pays its dividend at a specific time. I recommend investing in safe stocks that meet your investment criteria regardless of when they pay out.
Thus, it’s essential to do your stock research. For example, I always carefully consider the following metrics before investing my money:
- Dividend yield
- The dividend payout ratio
- Historical dividend record
- Dividend growth rate
- Earnings expectations
- Dividend safety
Related article: Is a High Dividend Yield Good?
Use The Best Tools For Researching February Dividend Stocks
Here are two of my favorite resources for researching dividend stocks and becoming a more successful dividend investor.
First, learn all you can about dividend investing.
I recommend the Financial Freedom Dividend Investing Course from Simply Investing.
Second, choose your stocks wisely and monitor them frequently.
For this, I like the Simply Investing Report and Analysis Platform.
Further Reading About Stocks That Pay Dividends
Finally, if you are hungry for more of my dividend-investing articles, here are several to satisfy your desire for earning dividends:
- An ETF for high dividends
- Can you live off your dividends from stocks?
- How to value dividend stocks
- Stocks that pay dividends in April
Okay. That’s all for today; best of luck building out your passive income stream from dividends paid in February.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.
