These dividend stocks are viewed positively by top Wall Street analysts.

Companies that can withstand short-term challenges and deliver strong returns to shareholders in the long run are often revealed during earnings season.

Investors seeking dividend-paying stocks will prioritize companies with robust balance sheets and cash flows to ensure consistent payments to shareholders. Analysts can analyze these factors and recommend stocks that offer potential for both dividend growth and price appreciation.

According to TipRanks, Wall Street's top experts have identified five attractive dividend stocks.

EOG Resources

EOG, a crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company, leads this week's list. On November 2nd, EOG reported market-beating third-quarter results. Additionally, the company announced a 10% increase in its regular quarterly dividend to 91 cents per share and a special dividend of $1.50 per share.

EOG has raised its cash return commitment from 2024 onwards to a minimum of 70% of annual free cash flow, up from the previous target of at least 60%. Its dividend yield, considering only regular dividends, is currently 2.9%.

Gabriele Sorbara, an analyst at Siebert Williams Shank, reaffirmed a buy rating on EOG with a price target of $172, stating that the company's "blowout quarter" surpassed expectations in all metrics. Despite the subdued Q4 2023 guidance, Sorbara reminded investors of EOG's history of exceeding its guidance on production, capital expenditure, and costs.

The analyst observed that EOG's cash returns commitment has increased and highlighted that this year's total cash returns (dividends plus share buybacks) are currently at $4.1 billion, which is approximately 75% of its estimated FCF of $5.5 billion.

Sorbara stated that we retain our Buy rating based on the company's successful track record of execution and strong shareholder returns, which are supported by its cash-rich balance sheet of approximately $5.33 billion, providing a competitive edge and flexibility.

EOG Resources' financial statements are available on TipRanks, where Sorbara holds the 434th position among more than 8,600 analysts. The analyst's ratings have been successful 46% of the time, with each rating delivering an average return of 10.9%.

Coterra Energy

CTRA recently announced better-than-anticipated third-quarter earnings and raised its 2023 production guidance due to faster cycle times and strong well productivity.

In Q3 2023, Coterra distributed $211 million to shareholders, with $151 million coming from dividends and $60 million from share repurchases. This represents 91% of the company's year-to-date free cash flow.

Management has pledged to distribute more than half of its yearly free cash flow to shareholders through its annual dividend payment of 80 cents per share and stock buybacks. With only the regular dividend, CTRA provides a dividend yield of approximately 3%.

Analyst Nitin Kumar of Mizuho, ranked 124th out of over 8,600 analysts on TipRanks, believes that CTRA's strong volumes in a quarter where several exploration and production companies attribute their success to improving operating efficiencies, stand out. In his opinion, CTRA's beat-and-raise performance was driven by both well timing and productivity.

He emphasized that the company's 2023 oil production outlook was raised by 3% compared to the average increase of 0% to 1% among peers.

CTRA stock was reaffirmed as a buy by Kumar, with a price target of $42 and a top pick designation. Kumar highlighted that CTRA returned 84% of its 3Q23 FCF through dividends and buybacks and is expected to return 80% of its 2023 FCF (above the target of 50%+).

On TipRanks, the CTRA Technical Analysis shows that Kumar's ratings have been profitable 63% of the time, with an average return of 17% per rating.

Crescent Energy

CRGY, an independent energy company that develops and operates oil and natural gas properties, is also a dividend stock that Kumar is bullish on. On Nov. 6, the company announced its third-quarter results and declared a quarterly dividend of 12 cents per share, payable on Dec. 4. CRGY offers a dividend yield of 4.6%.

Kumar commented on the third-quarter results of CRGY, stating that the company's oil-driven production and EBITDAX (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and exploration expense) exceeded expectations, despite lower capital expenditure.

Kumar observed that after acquiring two Western Eagle Ford properties from Crescent, the company has achieved significant capital efficiency improvements, achieving approximately 20% savings in drilling and completion costs compared to the previous operator. This indicates a more optimistic 2024 outlook compared to the company's initial projections, the analyst stated.

Kumar stated that the company's ability to deliver on its acquisition-driven model in the public market arena should give investors more confidence in the strategy.

Kumar maintained a buy rating on CRGY with a price target of $19, as he expressed a bullish outlook. (Check out CRGY Insider Trading Activity on TipRanks)

Diamondback Energy

An oil and natural gas company based in West Texas, FANG, reported better-than-expected third-quarter results on November 6th. Additionally, the company declared a base dividend of 84 cents per share and a variable cash dividend of $2.53 per share, both payable on November 24th.

FANG also boosted shareholder returns through $56 million in Q3 2023 share repurchases, in addition to the base and variable dividends that combined for an annualized yield of more than 8%, as Diamondback stated.

Diamondback's execution remains strong, according to RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold. He also pointed out that the company's shareholder return strategy is differentiated, as FANG quickly pivoted to higher levels of dividends but was still able to execute buybacks and among the lowest relative points during the last quarter.

The analyst highlighted that FANG has been buying back shares worth $1.9 billion at an average discount of 6% to market prices since the beginning of 2022. He emphasized that FANG only purchases shares during significant price disconnects from the stock's intrinsic value.

Hanold kept a buy rating on FANG stock and increased the price target to $175 from $170 due to stronger free cash flow and accretive stock buybacks. He ranks 16th among over 8,600 analysts on TipRanks. Hanold's ratings have been successful 64% of the time, with each rating delivering an average return of 24.4%. (See Diamondback Hedge Fund Trading Activity on TipRanks)

Starbucks

The coffee chain (SBUX) impressed investors with its fiscal fourth-quarter beats earlier this month due to the demand for its pricier beverages and higher traffic in the domestic market.

The company unveiled its long-term strategy, "Triple Shot Reinvention with Two Pumps," which aims to enhance the brand, strengthen and expand its digital presence, and enter new markets while improving efficiency and fostering a stronger partner culture.

In September, Starbucks announced a 7.5% increase in its quarterly dividend to 57 cents per share, payable on November 24. Since 2010, Starbucks has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 20%. The company's dividend yield is currently 2.2%.

Peter Saleh, BTIG analyst, maintained a buy rating on SBUX with a price target of $125 after the company's fiscal Q4 results and long-term strategy updates. Saleh emphasized the impressive global same-store sales growth of 8% in Q4, which he attributed to traffic gains and strong operating margins.

Saleh stated that Starbucks has a strong return profile due to its ongoing sales growth, economic recovery, global expansion, and increased shareholder return targets.

Among more than 8,600 analysts tracked by TipRanks, Saleh ranks No. 504. His ratings have been profitable 58% of the time, with each delivering an average return of 9.10%. (See Starbucks’ Stock Charts on TipRanks)