My Favorite Stocks For October Dividends
As we head into fall, it’s time for stocks that pay dividends in October.
This is my monthly feature to help you fill out your dividend calendar by highlighting dividend stocks I have owned for many years. It is the perfect topic for anyone looking for October dividends payable.
First, I will start with 10 top October dividend-paying stocks to satisfy exactly what you came for. Second, I will offer some great tips about hunting for October dividends. Finally, before wrapping up, I will add five more stocks to the list for a total of 15.
That’s the agenda. So, let’s not delay because I want to dive into companies paying dividends in October right away.
10 Stocks That Pay Dividends In October
Here is today’s first list of October dividend stocks:
- Business service provider ADP
- U.S. Tobacco company Altria
- Technology company Cisco
- Beverage company Coca-Cola
- Auto parts distributor Genuine Parts
- Household goods maker Kimberly Clark
- Medical device company Medtronic
- Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris
- REIT stock Realty Income
- Foodservice distributor Sysco
Full disclosure: I own all of the stocks on this list and have so for many years.
With those highlights taken care of, let’s dig into the details.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
More About Today’s Review Of Dividends Payable In October
I will focus on several aspects of these companies that pay dividends in October for today’s discussion.
First of all, the timing of their upcoming October dividends.
Secondly, how each of them rates in terms of dividend growth.
Finally, the best ways to find more stocks that pay dividends. No matter when they pay.
To put it another way, this article about stocks that pay dividends in October will emphasize:
- Cash dividends now
- Growth of those dividends in the future
- Finding more stocks that are similar
Please note that all dividend data is as of the date of publication. So, check with your stock broker for the latest stock price, dividend rate, and dividend yield before investing.
Okay. It’s time to highlight each of the first 10 stocks paying dividends in October…
1. Business Service Provider: ADP
- Stock symbol: ADP
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 11.8%
- Increased dividend annually since 1975
- Dividend status list: Dividend Aristocrat
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Early September
- The stock pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
ADP is also called Automatic Data Processing. And is best known for processing payroll.
However, the company provides its clients with many other valuable human resources capabilities and back-office functions.
And another one of my favorite dividend-paying stocks in October…
2. U.S. Tobacco Company Altria
- Stock symbol: MO
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 4.9%
- Increased dividend annually since 1970
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Mid-September
- The stock pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
Altria is a true “sin stock”.
The company has business endeavors beyond tobacco, including alcohol and cannabis.
3. Technology Company Cisco
- Stock symbol: CSCO
- Long-term average dividend growth rate: 8.7%
- Increased dividend annually since 2012
- Dividend status list: Dividend Achiever
- The ex-dividend date for the October dividend: Early October
- Pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
Cisco has been designing, manufacturing, and selling the gear that runs the internet for many years.
After their end markets matured, the company began paying shareholders a regular and growing dividend.
For stocks paying dividends in October, consider this long-time dividend-paying company…
4. Beverage Company Coca-Cola
- Stock symbol: KO
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 7.6%
- Increased dividend annually since 1963
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Mid-September
- Pays dividends in April, July, October, and December
Coca-Cola is a diversified beverage company. They produce various liquid refreshments to quench your thirst and mine.
Note that the company does pay dividends 4 times per year. Unlike other stocks, they do not follow a typical January, April, July, October dividend payment pattern. Rather, a December payment is substituted for January.
Learn more about Coca-Cola and its dividend here. Or stay with me as I continue through today’s list of stocks paying dividends in October.
5. Auto Parts Distributor Genuine Parts
- Stock symbol: GPC
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 6.1%
- Increased dividend annually since 1957
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Early-September
- Pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
Genuine Parts Company is an international distributor of auto parts and industrial replacement parts. On the automotive front, they own the well-known NAPA brand.
Next, our October dividend payers include a consumer staples company…
6. Household Goods Maker Kimberly Clark
- Stock symbol: KMB
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 6.4%
- Increased dividend annually since 1973
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Early September
- Pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
Kimberly Clark is a branded consumer goods company. They market many well-known brands with an emphasis on paper products. For example, Kleenex, Cottonelle, and Scott are all popular Kimberly Clark brands.
For another October dividend-paying stock. Let’s transition into the healthcare sector…
7. Medical Device Company Medtronic
- Stock symbol: MDT
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 11.5%
- Increased dividend annually since 1978
- Dividend status list: Dividend Aristocrat
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Mid-September
- Pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
Medtronic focuses on device-based medical products, therapies, and related services.
I like investing in Medtronic because it’s an “under the radar” healthcare company. Management keeps cranking out higher dividend payments in October for investors every year.
Yet another tobacco company makes my list of dividend stocks in October…
8. Tobacco Manufacturer Philip Morris
- Stock symbol: PM
- Long-term average dividend growth rate: 6%
- Increased dividend annually since 2008
- Dividend status list: Dividend Achiever
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Late September
- Pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
It’s been more than 15 years since Altria and Philip Morris split. The split allowed Philip Morris to focus on non-U.S. tobacco sales and Altria to focus on the U.S. markets.
A lot has changed since then. And the company has set a big goal.
Specifically, to have most of its sales come from smoke-free products in the near future.
Next is an October dividend stock from the real estate sector…
9. REIT Stock Realty Income
- Stock symbol: O
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 4.3%
- Increased dividend annually since 1994
- Dividend status: Dividend Aristocrat
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Late September
- Pays dividends monthly
Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company owns free-standing retail properties in excellent, highly visible locations.
Also, the company has a blue-chip customer base and an outstanding history of paying investors regular monthly dividends.
Learn more about Realty Income and its dividend here.
And last but not least, a company in the food industry as part of today’s list of stocks paying dividends in October.
10. Food Service Distributor Sysco
- Stock symbol: SYY
- 20-year average dividend growth rate: 8.1%
- Increased dividend annually since 1970
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for October dividend: Early October
- Pays dividends in January, April, July, and October
Sysco had a rough go of it during 2020 and early 2021, when so many restaurants were closed because of the global health crisis. At the time, most people dined at home.
But the company weathered the storm. And with its industry-leading scale has come back stronger than ever.
Okay. That concludes my review of 10 stocks that pay dividends in October. But don’t go. I’ve got much, much, much more for you!
Why? To help you level up your dividend investing game.
So, let’s continue.
Earning Dividends In October (and every month of the year)
First, I have some helpful tips for capturing dividends payable in October and other months. These are great additional tips to consider for working on your calendar of dividend payments.
Second, I have five more October dividend payers coming your way before wrapping up. Stick with me so that you can make more money from dividends every month.
Tip #1: Invest Before The Ex-Dividend Date
When purchasing any dividend stock, make sure you buy before the ex-dividend date if you want the next dividend payment.
This date is different for every company. Furthermore, ex-dividend dates vary from dividend to dividend for the same company.
So, check for a company’s latest press release announcing the dividend dates for the upcoming dividend.
After that, as a buy-and-hold investor, you will be entitled to all future dividends on your shares with no effort on your part. Just sit back and collect your monthly dividends.
Do it right, and you will be earning monthly dividends quickly.
Tip #2: Don’t Buy A Stock Just Because It Pays Dividends In October
The timing of dividend payments shouldn’t be your only reason to buy a stock. First, focus on the business fundamentals and dividend metrics.
After you have determined the dividend is safe and the company paying the dividend is on solid economic ground, only then should you consider investing.
Checking the timing of the dividend payment is fine. But, make it just one step in your research as you work out your process to make a consistent stream of dividend income.
Tip #3: Trade Your Stocks That Pay Dividends In October For Free
Keep your investment costs low. Doing so will leave more of your hard-earned dividends in your pocket.
An important way to do this is to trade your dividend stocks for free.
There is no reason to pay a brokerage commission when buying a dividend stock. Those days have long passed.
I trade for free using the Webull app.
It’s fast to sign up, and Webull is easy to use. Plus, the app has powerful stock research and trading capabilities.
Use the app to help identify the best dividend stocks for your portfolio and unique investment goals.
You can learn more about Webull here.
Tip #4: Remember Taxes When Buying Stocks That Pay Dividends In October
Every individual’s tax situation is different. Thus, it’s hard to make broad statements about how much your tax bill will be from October dividends.
But suffice it to say that some taxes will most likely be owed.
So, don’t forget to factor taxes into your cash flow from dividends that you are expecting to receive.
Finally, here is one way to defer and minimize taxes.
Buy and hold your dividend stocks in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and reap these accounts’ tax benefits. So, don’t delay opening an IRA if you want to start investing for a secure retirement.
Use your new IRA account for investing in October dividend-paying stocks.
Next, I also promised to mention good places to find dividend stocks in case today’s list of October dividends does not satisfy everything you were looking for.
Tip #5: Dividend Growth Stock Lists
First of all, consider the elite dividend growth stock lists. These popular lists of stocks include:
Dividend Kings: Stocks with 50+ years of annual dividend increases.
The Dividend Aristocrats: Stocks with 25+ years of annual dividend increases.
Dividend Achievers: Stocks with 10+ years of annual dividend increases.
Using stock lists like these will keep you focused on dividend growth rather than chasing stocks with the highest dividend yields.
Tip #6: The Simply Investing Report And Analysis Platform
Next, consider using the Simply Investing Report.
I use Simply Investing to get dividend stock recommendations and on-point stock analysis covering hundreds of dividend stocks based in the U.S. and Canada.
The service evaluates stocks based on strict quality criteria and delivers all of this in an easy-to-use interactive database. Finding a better and more comprehensive real-time analysis of high-quality dividend stocks is difficult.
You can learn more about Simply Investing here.
Tip #7: Motley Fool Stock Advisor
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor is a well-respected stock-picking service providing stock research that has generated outstanding total returns for decades.
Unlike the Simply Investing report, Motley Fool has a different approach to investing. The service researches, analyzes, and recommends dividend and lesser-known growth stocks.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor is perfect for anyone wanting to make their own stock selections but likes some solid research and help to find the right stocks to buy.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor is a great choice. So, learn more about Motley Fool here.
Tip #8: Products And Services You Use Every Day
Finally, be aware of the products and services you use daily. Then check if the company behind those products offers a dividend stock to invest in.
For example, do you like McDonald’s? Enjoy a Starbucks coffee? Shop at Walmart or Target?
Well, I know for a fact that each of these companies has a stock that pays dividends.
And some may even be stocks that pay good dividends in October!
Full disclosure: I own all of the above-mentioned stocks except Starbucks.
Tip #9: Stocks That Pay Dividends In January, April, July, And October.
Note that most stocks on today’s list are quarterly dividend stocks. Thus, these stocks pay dividends in January, April, July, and October.
However, as I indicated above, two stocks on today’s list do not follow that pattern.
Okay. So far, you have 10 October dividend stocks and 9 dividend investing tips.
Now I have one last promise I made in this article’s introduction to deliver on. Specifically, five more names to add to today’s list of companies paying dividends in October.
As a result, here’s your bonus coverage.
5 October Dividend-Paying Stocks
- Brown-Forman (Class B shares) (BF.B)
- Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF)
- Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT)
- Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
- McCormick & Company (MKC)
Full disclosure: From this list of stocks for October dividends, I own ITW and MKC.
These five stocks and the first 10 offer impressive dividend growth records. Attractive dividend yields also make these stocks appealing to investors like you and me looking for reliable dividend income. Each company is an established industry leader and generates steady cash flow to support continued dividend payouts.
So, get busy investing.
You might be surprised how much you can make with $50K invested in a dividend portfolio. Or shoot for even more!
Now it’s time to wrap this article up with some final thoughts.
Stocks That Pay Dividends In October
Today, I highlighted a list of 15 stocks that pay dividends in October.
- Business service provider ADP
- U.S. Tobacco company Altria
- Spirits company Brown Forman
- Insurance company Cincinnati Financial
- Technology company Cisco
- Beverage company Coca-Cola
- Federal Realty Investment Trust
- Auto parts distributor Genuine Parts
- Industrial products maker ITW
- Household goods maker Kimberly Clark
- Spice company McCormick
- Medical device company Medtronic
- Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris
- REIT stock Realty Income
- Foodservice distributor Sysco
We also discussed some best practices to find and invest in the best dividend stocks.
Here is a recap of that information so you can make the most of your October dividend stocks.
Keep Investment Costs Low
Be sure to keep your investment costs low. And never pay a brokerage commission to buy or sell a dividend stock.
Sign up for the stock trading app from Webull. And never pay stock trading fees.
Invest For A Secure Retirement
Also, keep more of your dividends by reducing and deferring income taxes. Put time on your side and get started today by investing in an IRA to save on income taxes.
Find Good Dividend Stocks
Next, always search for quality dividend stocks to add to your portfolio when prices are right.
You can use dividend growth stock lists like the Dividend Kings and Aristocrats.
Or, get dividend stock recommendations from a high-quality source.
Two services I like and use are the Simply Investing Report.
And for a more diverse mix of stocks for both growth and income, there is the service from Motley Fool Stock Advisor.
Thanks For Reading About Stocks That Pay Dividends In October!
Okay, friends. That’s all for today. Good luck with your investments!
Since it’s never too early or late to start making money from dividends.
More Articles About Stocks That Pay Dividends
- Our complete list of dividend articles
- September dividend payers
- Easy guide to making $50 in monthly dividends
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.
