3 Top Dividend Stocks You Won't Regret Buying in April

Turbulence has returned to the stock market this year. Concerns about how much tariffs will impact the global economy have caused wild gyrations in the stock market. If they cause a global recession, stocks could fall further.

While a recession would have a major impact on many companies, some produce much more durable income, putting them in a better position to weather economic storms. Black Hills (BKH 1.99%), Enbridge (ENB 1.64%), and Enterprise Products Partners (EPD 1.91%) stand out to a few Fool.com contributors for their resilient businesses, which they've proven by their ability to grow their dividends over the long term. Because of that, you likely won't regret buying shares of these top dividend stocks this month.

Black Hills is a foundational dividend stock

Reuben Gregg Brewer (Black Hills): The modern world doesn't function without power, which is why utilities are attractive as investments. Further, the cost of building a utility system is massive, so the government has offered utilities monopolies in exchange for having rates and capital investment plans approved by regulators.

The outcome is slow and steady growth and, at least in the case of Black Hills today, an attractive dividend yield for investors. Black Hills is the kind of foundational investment on which income-focused investors can build long-term wealth.

The company's bona fides include over 50 consecutive annual dividend increases, making it a Dividend King. If dividend consistency is important to you, it is hard to beat the record Black Hills has put up. Meanwhile, the stock's 4.4% dividend yield is above the 1.2% of the S&P 500 (^GSPC 9.52%) and the 2.8% of the average utility.

But don't think you are getting short-changed on the growth side of the equation. Black Hills is projecting earnings growth of around 4% to 6% a year, with dividend growth that is likely to track earnings higher over time. And, to add a little more security to the picture, Black Hills has an investment-grade-rated balance sheet.

Will Black Hills be an exciting stock to own? Probably not. But that's why you won't regret buying it as the market heads into correction territory. This boring and reliable dividend stock is built to keep you sleeping well at night as it charts a slow and steady path higher, earnings wise and with its dividend.

A model dividend stock

Matt DiLallo (Enbridge): Enbridge has an exceptional record of paying dividends. The energy infrastructure giant has paid dividends for more than 70 years, while increasing its payout for the past 30 years in a row. That's an elite record for any company, let alone one that operates in the volatile energy sector.

However, unlike many energy companies, Enbridge generates very predictable revenue. The company gets 98% of its earnings from cost-of-service or contracted assets like pipelines and utilities, which provide it with very stable earnings. The company's earnings are so predictable that it delivered its 19th consecutive year of achieving its annual financial guidance in 2024 despite a financial crisis, commodity price collapse, global pandemic, and rising inflation over that period.

Enbridge pays out 60% to 70% of its stable cash flow in dividends each year, retaining the rest to help fund expansion projects. The company also has a strong balance sheet, giving it additional financial flexibility to fund its continued expansion. It currently has a multibillion-dollar backlog of commercially secured expansion projects under construction, which should come online through the end of the decade.

That backlog gives Enbridge lots of visibility into its future earnings growth. The company expects to grow its cash flow per share by 3% annually through next year and by about 5% per year after 2026. That should support annual dividend growth within that range.

With its dividend already yielding more than 7% and more growth ahead, you won't regret buying shares of Enbridge for income this month.

A steady grower through market turmoil

Neha Chamaria (Enterprise Products Partners): With volatility hitting the markets, Enterprise Products Partners deserves your attention. This is one dividend stock that could earn you a steady stream of passive income even during difficult times.

It has done so in the past -- Enterprise Products has increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years, despite the inherent volatility in the oil and gas industry. That speaks volumes about the stock's dividend stability and resilience, and there's little reason to believe Enterprise Products will not maintain its dividend streak.

In fact, Enterprise Products has a big year ahead of it, as nearly $6 billion of its major projects under construction are expected to come online. They include pipeline expansions and natural gas processing plants in the Permian Basin. Enterprise Products owns and operates over 50,000 miles of pipeline and consistently invests in its infrastructure to grow its cash flows and reward shareholders while maintaining healthy financials.

Enterprise Products has been able to grow its cash flow steadily over the past 15 years or so, which is why it could raise its dividends even during the oil price collapse of 2014-2016 and the pandemic in 2020-2021. If you're still apprehensive about the stock's ability to pay a regular dividend and even grow it in the present volatile times, consider that Enterprise Products generated record net income and distributable cash flow in 2024, which means it still has enough cash to dole out higher dividends this year and beyond.

With the stock even yielding a hefty 6.4%, Enterprise Products is one of the few dividend stocks you could even double up on right now.