Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTNeil Patel, The Motley FoolSun, June 28, 2026 at 11:20 PM GMT+2 4 min readAre you in retirement or close to it? Are you an investor that appreciates the idea of receiving a check in your brokerage account every quarter? If this sounds like you, then maybe it's time to consider companies with impressive dividend policies.Businesses with excess cash sometimes return capital to shareholders in the form of dividends. These are usually stable companies with established economic moats.Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »While investors shouldn't expect to generate market-beating returns from owning these kinds of businesses, they can provide your portfolio with a solid income stream. Here are the smartest dividend stocks to buy with $3,000 right now.Image source: Getty Images.Coca-ColaThe first dividend stock to buy is Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), the world's leading beverage company with a presence in over 200 countries and territories. This isn't an exciting business, but that's a feature. Coca-Cola doesn't face any threat of disruption. It has stood the test of time, which arguably makes it one of the safest stocks to own.Investors should pay attention to profits. Since Coca-Cola outsources bottling and distribution, it's able to post sizable earnings. The company's operating margin in Q1 (ended April 3) was a superb 35%. The bottom-line figure is supported by a history of pricing power, which is due to customer loyalty.Coca-Cola's success isn't impacted much by the changing economic winds. Its performance is healthy regardless of macro conditions like inflationary pressures or interest rate trends. This essentially eliminates the risk of a dividend cut, as demand is steady.In February, the company's board of directors approved a 4% dividend increase, marking the 64th straight year that a hike was put in place. Coca-Cola shares currently pay a dividend yield of 2.64%.Lowe'sThe next stock on this list is home improvement giant Lowe's (NYSE: LOW). Based on revenue, it's significantly smaller than industry leader Home Depot. But the company's scale, name recognition, and omnichannel capabilities give it durable competitive strengths in a large market.Starting in August, Lowe's will pay an annualized dividend of $5, translating to a yield of 2.25%. The business has now raised its dividend in more than 25 consecutive years. This is a clear indication of the management team's focus on shareholder capital returns.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info