12 Best Financial Sector Dividend Stocks To Buy Right Now

3. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 88

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) ranks third on our list of the best dividend stocks in the financial sector. The American multinational investment bank offers a wide range of related services to its consumers. The company is in the midst of a multi-year restructuring, simplifying its operations by withdrawing from complex business segments and concentrating on areas that can deliver returns meeting or exceeding its cost of capital. Over the last three years, it has made significant strides in enhancing risk management, compliance, and overall accountability. In the past 12 months, the stock has surged by over 54%.

In fiscal year 2024, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) reported a nearly 40% rise in net income, reaching $12.7 billion and exceeding its annual revenue target. This growth was driven by strong results across its Services, Wealth, and US Personal Banking segments. The company kept expenses within its expected range, improved its efficiency ratio, and successfully executed a major reorganization. Annual revenue totaled $81.1 billion, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year.

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), one of the best dividend stocks, currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share. The stock has a dividend yield of 2.65%, as of February 16. The company remained committed to returning value to shareholders, paying $6.7 billion in dividends and share repurchases in FY24. It has paid uninterrupted dividends for 34 years straight.