In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks in the consumer staples sector.

The consumer staples sector delivered a total return of 12.3% in 2024, a solid performance for a typically stable industry. However, without the substantial gains from two of its largest components, the sector’s overall returns would have been significantly lower. Known for its defensive nature, this sector appeals to risk-averse investors seeking steady income. While consumers might scale back on household essentials during economic downturns, the decline is generally less pronounced compared to discretionary spending on entertainment, travel, and similar categories. That said, many companies in this space are not expected to grow their earnings as rapidly as the broader market, which could result in underperformance during periods of strong market growth.

The consumer staples sector consists of companies that produce essential goods such as packaged foods, toothpaste, and dish detergent. The sector is home to many well-established companies that consistently pay dividends, further reinforcing its defensive nature. However, this defensive positioning remained a headwind rather than an advantage for most of 2024, following the sector’s decline in popularity in 2023. Investors largely steered away from defensive stocks, instead favoring a select group of mega-cap growth companies, particularly those linked to artificial intelligence. Moreover, persistently high interest rates put further pressure on dividend-paying stocks, as they are often seen as alternatives to bonds. Concerns over the potential impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on food and beverage consumption also added to the sector’s challenges.

Amid a broader increase in short interest across equities, consumer staples stocks saw a rare shift in sentiment among short sellers during the summer months. According to the latest data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, short interest in the sector declined from 4.16% at the end of May to 3.87% by the end of August. Notably, the consumer staples was the only one among the 11 stock sectors to experience a drop in short interest over that three-month period.

Even so, the sector did not go unnoticed in 2024, as investors shifted their focus to it in August amid growing recession concerns and heightened market volatility. A report from Business Insider noted that the sector climbed approximately 4.1% that month, significantly outperforming the broader market, which saw a gain of just over 1% during the same period. Analysts at Bank of America observed that US consumers have been adjusting to a weaker labor market, dwindling pandemic-era savings, and elevated interest rates. This shift is evident in various ways, including the stronger performance of consumer staples stocks compared to their discretionary counterparts.

As 2025 approaches, analysts expect the consumer staples sector to regain stability amid a generally steady economic environment and a consumer landscape that, while under some pressure, is not facing severe strain. A report from Fidelity notes that overall consumer demand remains firm, household finances are in good shape, employment levels are strong, and real wage growth is holding steady. With the Federal Reserve starting to lower interest rates, the sector’s prospects appear favorable. In view of this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks from the consumer staples sector.

Our Methodology:

For this list, we identified dividend-paying stocks from the broader market’s Consumer Staples Index with strong dividend growth track records. After that, we sorted these dividend stocks using Insider Monkey’s proprietary hedge fund sentiment data as of Q4 2024, which means that these stocks are the most popular dividend stocks among the elite hedge funds. The list is ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds having stakes in the companies.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

10. The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) is an American food company that manufactures a wide range of food and beverage products. Founded in 1897, the company has expanded into a $9 billion industry leader, backed by a broad portfolio of well-known brands, including Jif, Uncrustables, Milk-Bone, and Café Bustelo. Its products are found in over 90% of US households.

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) has dropped more than 11% over the past year following the company’s decision to divest its packaged pastries brand, Cloverhill, along with its cinnamon roll segment as part of its efforts to reduce costs. The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of the fourth quarter. That said, the company is still grabbing investors’ attention because of its strong dividend policy and continuous acquisitions.

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM)’s growth has been driven by strategic acquisitions, such as Big Heart Pet Brands in 2015 and Hostess in 2024, enabling the company to concentrate on high-growth segments like snacking, coffee, and pet food. Its 1998 purchase of Uncrustables for just $1 million has since evolved into a brand generating nearly $1 billion in annual revenue. This history underscores the company’s ability to transform modest investments into significant revenue streams.

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) holds a strong dividend policy which is supported by its cash flow. In the most recent quarter, the company reported an operating cash flow of $404.2 million and its free cash flow came in at $317.2 million. It currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.89%, as of February 24. It is one of the best dividend stocks on our list as the company has raised its payouts for 23 consecutive years.

9. The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) is an American multinational food company, headquartered in Illinois. It posted mixed results for Q4 2024, with lower sales being balanced by efforts to improve profitability. The company reported an adjusted EPS of $0.84, surpassing market expectations by $0.06, primarily due to unforeseen tax benefits and a reduced share count. However, revenue for the quarter came in at $6.58 billion, reflecting a 5% year-over-year decline and falling short of the projected $6.66 billion, as organic sales continued to weaken. The company saw its net sales in the US—its main revenue source—fall by 3.9% year-over-year, as higher prices provided only a slight offset to declining volumes.

That said, The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) demonstrated a strong cash position in FY24, with a free cash flow of $3.2 billion for 2024, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Its operating cash flow of $4.2 billion also showed a 5.2% growth on a YoY basis. The company also distributed $2.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.11%, as of February 24.

The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) grew to 43 in Q4 2024, from 39 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is nearly $11 billion. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q4.