My 3 Favorite Ultra-high-yield Dividend Stocks To Buy For…

1. Ares Capital

Rising interest rates create headwinds for many companies. However, they benefit the business development company (BDC)Ares Capital (ARCC +0.53%). Roughly 94% of Ares Capital’s new investment commitments in the second quarter of 2026 involved floating rates. When interest rates rise, the BDC makes more money.

Ares Capital performed well even before the Fed began raising rates. The company’s assets under management (AUM) increased 17% year over year in Q2. Its fee-related earnings jumped 20%, while realized income soared over 30%. And these results came amid a generally slower transaction environment for the BDC industry.

Expand

NASDAQ: ARCC

Ares Capital

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

64/100

Today’s Change

(0.53%) $0.10

Current Price

$18.96

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$14BMarket cap calculated using publicly traded s outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded s. Implied market cap may vary.

Day’s Range

$18.81 – $19.07

52wk Range

$17.40 – $21.14

Volume

2.2M

Avg Vol

4.5M

Gross Margin

78.21%

Dividend Yield

10.18%

But Ares Capital isn’t your run-of-the-mill BDC. For one thing, it’s the largest publicly traded BDC. Ares Capital’s portfolio is much more diversified than most of its peers. Its loss rates are also far below the industry averages.

I’ve d the best part for last. Ares Capital’s forward dividend yield tops 10%. The company recently increased its dividend by 20%. It has maintained or grown its dividend for 16 consecutive years. As icing on the cake, Ares Capital’s total returns have beaten the S&P 500 by roughly 20% since its initial public offering in 2004.

2. Enterprise Products Partners

The Iran war has created both winners and losers. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD +1.73%) is a clear member of the former group. The midstream energy leader’s business is booming, driven by strong demand for U.S. natural gas liquids (NGL) exports.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another key tailwind for Enterprise Products Partners. Data centers that host AI applications require dependable power. Natural gas is an ideal fuel for the power plants supporting these facilities.

Expand

NYSE: EPD

Enterprise Products Partners

Today’s Change

(1.73%) $0.63

Current Price

$36.81

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$78BMarket cap calculated using publicly traded s outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded s. Implied market cap may vary.

Day’s Range

$36.03 – $36.87

52wk Range

$30.01 – $40.16

Volume

1.2M

Avg Vol

3M

Gross Margin

12.98%

Dividend Yield

6.09%

I think Enterprise Products Partners is arguably the highest-quality pipeline stock around. Its balance sheet ranks as the strongest in the industry. The limited partnership’s management team is also top-notch.

So is its distribution. Enterprise’s forward yield hovers near 6.3%. The company has increased its distribution for 28 consecutive years. I fully expect that streak to continue for a long time to come.

3. Pfizer

Pharma stocks are among the most resilient during periods of elevated uncertainty. Pfizer (PFE -1.53%) has clearly demonstrated its ability to survive and thrive, with its operations dating back to 1849.

To be sure, Pfizer faces some challenges. Its COVID-19 product sales have declined sharply since the pandemic’s peak. Several of the company’s top drugs lose patent exclusivity over the next few years, notably including blockbuster blood thinner Eliquis and breast cancer drug Ibrance, both of which have key U.S. patents expiring next year.

Expand

NYSE: PFE

Pfizer

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

65/100

Today’s Change

(-1.53%) $-0.43

Current Price

$27.38

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$158BMarket cap calculated using publicly traded s outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded s. Implied market cap may vary.

Day’s Range

$27.12 – $27.72

52wk Range

$23.62 – $29.21

Volume

12.4M

Avg Vol

36.8M

Gross Margin

64.83%

Dividend Yield

6.19%

Importantly, though, Pfizer has invested in both internal research and development and external acquisitions to prepare for its patent cliff. These efforts are paying off. For example, the company has secured three key U.S. regulatory approvals this year. Also, around one-fourth of Pfizer’s operational revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026 came from acquired products. As a result, the big drugmaker expects to deliver a high-single-digit compound annual growth rate in revenue after 2028.

Meanwhile, Pfizer’s forward dividend yield stands north of 6%. I think the dividend is relatively safe despite the company’s near-term headwinds. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla went out of his way to stress on the Q2 earnings call that investors can depend on the dividend, stating that it will be maintained even in “the most stretched scenarios that we are running.”

Read Next

Oct 5, 2026 •By Sara Appino

Eli Lilly vs. Pfizer: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Oct 4, 2026 •By Reuben Gregg Brewer

Better High-Yield Dividend Stock: Pfizer or Novo Nordisk?

Oct 4, 2026 •By James Brumley

Here’s Exactly Why I’m Not Afraid of Pfizer’s 6% Dividend Yield

Oct 4, 2026 •By Justin Pope

3 Dirt Cheap Dividend Stocks Worth Buying in October

Oct 2, 2026 •By Matt DiLallo

20 Best High-Yield Dividend Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Oct 2, 2026 •By Brendan Coffey

Novo Nordisk vs. Pfizer: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

About the Author

Keith Speights is a contributing Motley Fool healthcare analyst covering publicly traded companies across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, technology, and marijuana. Prior to The Motley Fool, Keith was CEO of Constant Care Technology, a healthcare technology company; vice president of American HealthTech, a healthcare software company; and a director of operations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, a health insurer. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University.

TMFFishBiz

Stocks Mentioned

Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s Latest Pick

Get Access

—% Avg Return

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.