Monthly Screen Highlights Ten Dividend Growth Picks for October 2026
The author ranks dividend growth stocks each month and selected ten for October. The screen required Dividend Safety scores of at least 8.0, forward yields of at least 2.5%, and prices no higher than fair value. The equal-weighted group would yield 2.8% but has trailed SPY over five years, with some high yields reflecting weak share prices.
The October 2026 installment comes from a recurring monthly ranking of dividend growth candidates. The author's universe spans 1,788 equities: 764 with at least five straight years of increases, 514 additional dividend payers, and 510 non-payers. The screen kept names with safety scores of 8.0 or better, projected yields of 2.5% or more, and valuations at or under fair value.
The resulting ten-stock list includes EOG, BR, HLNE, NFG, AOS, ZTS, MTB, KFY, AWR, and RDN, plus several MTB preferred series. An equal-weighted version would yield 2.8%, yet it would have lagged SPY across five years. Some higher yields stem from weak prices, which may signal investor worries. The author discloses a position in ZTS.
Count words? First para: The(1) October2 2026? "October 2026" maybe 2? Let's count. The October 2026 installment comes from a recurring monthly ranking of dividend growth candidates. (The1 October2 2026 3 installment4 comes5 from6 a7 recurring8 monthly9 ranking10 of11 dividend12 growth13 candidates14.) The author's universe spans 1,788 equities: 764 with at least five straight years of increases, 514 additional dividend payers, and 510 non-payers. (The15 author's16 universe17 spans18 1,78819 equities20 76421 with22 at23 least24 five25 straight26 years27 of28 increases29 51430 additional31 dividend32 payers33 and34 51035 non-payers36.) The screen kept names with safety scores of 8.0 or better, projected yields of 2.5% or more, and valuations at or under fair value. (The37 s
... No extra. Need maybe "EXPANDED:" and "CONTEXT:" labels. Plain text. Good. Potential issue: "The author's universe spans 1,788 equities" from material. Good. "764 with at least five straight years of increases" source says dividend increase streaks of 5 or more years. Good. "514 additional dividend payers" source says other dividend-paying stocks. Good. "510 non-payers." Good. "safety scores of 8.0 or better" source says Dividend Safety scores ≥8.0. Good. "projected yields of 2.5% or more" source forward yields ≥2.5%. Good. "valuations at or under fair value" source prices at or below fair value. Good. "ten-stock list includes ... plus several MTB preferred series." Source tickers include MTB.PR.H/J/K. Good. "equal-weighted version would yield 2.8%, yet it would have lagged SPY across five years." Source says would have underperformed SPY over past 5 years. Good. "Several higher yields come from stocks whose prices have trailed, a pattern the piece ties to market concerns." Source