Why 2026 Could Be a Breakout Year for Dividend Stocks
Why 2026 Could Be a Breakout Year for Dividend Stocks  
Podcast: The Morning Filter
Published On: Mon Dec 01 2025
Description: Plus, several undervalued stocks to buy with stable dividends. In this special episode of The Morning Filter podcast, co-host Susan Dziubinski sits down with Morningstar columnist Dan Lefkovitz to take a deep dive into dividend stock investing today. They discuss what’s caused U.S. dividend stocks to lag this year while international dividend stocks have outperformed. Tune in to find out why the stock buyback boom is bad news for dividend seekers and what metrics investors should look at if they want to avoid dividend cuts.They name drop a few undervalued stocks that Morningstar thinks have stable dividends, cover why dividend growth stock investing is underappreciated, and close with a discussion about whether dividend stocks are poised to outperform in 2026. Episode Highlights 00:01:16 Dividend Stock Performance: 2025 Recap00:06:59 What the Buyback Boom Means for Dividend Investors00:13:06 3 Ways to Spot a Dividend Cut Early00:17:50 Dividend Growth Stocks: Why Bother? Read about topics from this episode. Stock Buybacks Are Booming in 2025. That’s Bad News for Dividend InvestorsThe Surprising Truth About Dividend Growth StocksNot All Dividend Stocks Are Safe. Here’s How to Avoid Dividend TrapsWhy International Dividend Stocks Have Pulled Ahead Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com. Follow us on social media.Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarketsDave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekeraFacebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=enLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more from Susan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera.Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.