14 Best Performing Dividend Stocks To Buy Now

11. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO)

Year-to-Date Return as of March 7: 10.6%

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) is a Virginia-based tobacco company that manufactures a wide range of related products including cigarettes and other nicotine products. Smoking rates in the US have been on a steady decline for decades. While Altria sells fewer cigarettes each year, it compensates for this drop by raising prices, allowing it to maintain a slow but consistent earnings growth. The company has also expanded into next-generation nicotine products, including oral nicotine pouches and electronic vaping devices. These alternatives are considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes—though they still pose health risks—and are widely regarded by tobacco companies as the industry’s future.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) reported revenue of $5.11 billion, marking a 1.63% increase from the previous year and surpassing analyst expectations by $59.6 million. Strong brand performance drove higher earnings and improved margins within its core tobacco segment, while the company continued investing strategically to support long-term growth. Looking ahead to 2025, Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) anticipates adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $5.22 to $5.37, representing a projected 2% to 5% increase over its 2024 EPS of $5.12.

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) has a long-standing commitment to delivering shareholder value through consistent dividend payments. In fiscal 2024, the company distributed $6.8 billion in dividends. With 55 consecutive years of dividend increases, Altria remains one of the best performing dividend stocks. The company offers a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.06%, as of March 7.