Global stock markets remain volatile as the Middle East conflict continues and investors focus on artificial intelligence stocks. For those seeking steady income, Wall Street analysts are pointing to dividend-paying energy stocks with strong fundamentals and capital return programs.
According to CNBC, top analysts tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance, have highlighted three dividend stocks worth considering. Two of them are Permian Basin energy companies that share the same analyst advocate.
Viper Energy, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, focuses on owning and acquiring mineral and royalty interests primarily in the Permian Basin. For the first quarter of 2026, the company declared a base dividend of 38 cents per share and a variable dividend of 30 cents per share, giving Viper Energy stock a dividend yield of 5%.
RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold initiated coverage of Viper Energy with a buy rating and a price target of $58. "The company is advantaged given its scale, core Permian focus, inventory duration, and aligned operating partner," Hanold said. He noted that Viper's Permian-focused asset base and significant scale relative to peers position it as a best-in-class operator. Hanold added that Viper's 75% liquids-weighted production mix offers meaningful leverage in a strong oil price environment.
Hanold projects Viper's inventory life at 15 to 20 years, considering the current development pace of its operating partners, which he described as significantly higher than that of peers. He also pointed to Viper's relationship with Diamondback Energy, which holds about a 39% ownership stake in the company. That relationship, Hanold said, provides visibility into forward activity and production, high-margin organic growth, and steady revenue and cash flows. He also noted that Viper is investment-grade rated and carries a lower cost of capital, which would support sustainable distributions and strategic mergers and acquisitions. Hanold ranks No. 152 among more than 12,200 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 67% of the time, delivering an average return of 20.2%.
Hanold is also bullish on Permian Resources, an independent oil and natural gas company. He carries a buy rating on the stock with a price target of $27. Permian Resources announced a base dividend of 16 cents per share for the second quarter of 2026, and the stock offers a dividend yield of 3.2%. In a recent research note, Hanold updated his estimates for Permian Resources, Devon Energy, and Matador Resources to reflect the impact of the acquisition of undeveloped acres in the New Mexico Delaware Basin.
The backdrop for these energy stock picks includes pressure from OPEC+ and the airline industry. According to Bloomberg, the seven countries of OPEC+ held their monthly meeting while airline executives gathered for their annual conference, with both groups addressing the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Bloomberg News Middle East Correspondent Abeer Abu Omar joined Bloomberg Surveillance co-host Lisa Abramowicz to discuss developments from both events, covering how the conflict is shaping energy markets and aviation.
The intersection of Middle East tensions, OPEC+ production decisions, and strong Permian Basin fundamentals forms the broader context in which analysts are recommending these dividend plays. For investors navigating an uncertain market, the combination of yield, inventory depth, and strong operator relationships appears to be driving analyst confidence in both Viper Energy and Permian Resources heading into the second half of 2026.
