3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and Hold Forever

The article recommends three blue-chip dividend stocks for long-term passive income: Realty Income (O), a REIT with monthly dividends and 31 years of consecutive increases; S&P Global (SPGI), a Dividend King with 53 years of dividend growth and dominant market position in credit ratings; and Aflac (AFL), a specialty insurer with 44 consecutive years of dividend increases and strong growth prospects.

06/23/2026, 1:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Dollar General Sales Are Soaring. Is the Discount Retailer's Stock a Buy in 2026?

Dollar General reported surprisingly strong Q1 2026 results with 2% same-store sales growth and 3.4% revenue growth despite inflation concerns. The company has successfully reinvented itself to attract higher-income customers ($100k+), improved gross margins, and expanded its $1-or-less product selection. While analyst consensus suggests a $130.61 fair value versus the current $109.96 price, the stock remains a cautious value play rather than a core growth holding due to modest net growth potential and execution uncertainty.

06/11/2026, 6:18 AM • The Motley Fool

Five Below Down 12% Post Earnings—Is the Selloff Overdone?

Five Below stock fell over 12% despite reporting strong Q1 2026 earnings with $1.29B revenue (beating $1.23B expectations) and $2.22 EPS (beating $1.77 expectations). The selloff was driven by management's cautious guidance for the second half due to consumer health concerns and tariff uncertainties, despite raising full-year guidance. Analysts remain divided on the stock's outlook, with some viewing the decline as overdone given oversold technical levels, while valuation concerns persist at 30x earnings.

06/05/2026, 11:29 AM • Investing

3 Dividend Stocks Built to Last a Lifetime and Pay You the Whole Way

The article highlights three dividend stocks with strong long-term potential: Realty Income (O) offers a 5.4% yield with 29 years of consecutive dividend increases; J.M. Smucker (SJM) provides a 4.4% yield supported by strong coffee sales and 29 years of payout hikes; and PepsiCo (PEP) yields 4% with 54 consecutive years of dividend increases and recent sales growth of 8% year-over-year. All three stocks are positioned for continued dividend growth and long-term stability.

06/05/2026, 4:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Dollar General Margin Gains Offset Weather And Fuel Cost Pressures

Dollar General reported Q1 FY2026 results with net sales of $10.79B (slightly below consensus) and same-store sales growth of 2.0%. The company exceeded EPS expectations at $2.00 per share (vs. $1.88 estimate) driven by strong margin expansion from higher inventory markups and lower shrink, offsetting severe winter weather and fuel cost pressures. DG raised full-year EPS guidance to $7.20-$7.45 and plans 4,730+ real estate projects including 450 new store openings. Stock fell 2.62% following the announcement.

06/02/2026, 11:31 AM • Benzinga

Stock Market: Will S&P 500 Open Up Or Down Today?

The S&P 500 extended its record-setting run on Monday with a 0.26% gain, driven by technology stocks and AI enthusiasm. However, Polymarket traders predict a lower open on Tuesday due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, rising oil prices, and concerns about inflation. S&P 500 futures were down 0.07% early Tuesday morning.

06/02/2026, 4:46 AM • Benzinga

Wall Street Starts June at Record Highs - But Bigger Tests Lie Ahead

U.S. stock markets opened June at record highs with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting strong May performances. However, geopolitical tensions from the Iran-U.S. conflict, rising inflation concerns, and upcoming labor market data present significant challenges ahead. Asian markets rallied on AI optimism while oil prices climbed on Middle East tensions. Key earnings from tech and retail companies this week will provide crucial economic signals before Friday's jobs report.

06/01/2026, 5:12 AM • Investing

Stock Market: Will S&P 500 Open Up Or Down Today?

The S&P 500 is poised to open higher on June 1, 2026, with an 80% probability according to Polymarket predictions. Bullish sentiment is driven by falling oil prices, cooling inflation, positive Middle East diplomatic developments, and Nvidia's AI showcase at Computex Taipei. Key catalysts this week include retail earnings from discount retailers, the May jobs report, and earnings from major tech companies.

06/01/2026, 2:09 AM • Benzinga

With Consumer Sentiment at a Record Low, Could These 2 Value Retailers See a Boost in 2026?

As consumer sentiment hits record lows due to inflation and purchasing power concerns, discount retailers Dollar General and TJX Companies are positioned to benefit. Both companies thrive when consumers become price-conscious and seek value alternatives, with strong recent financial performance and business models built for economic downturns.

05/25/2026, 2:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Gas Prices Are Crushing Lower-Income Consumers, and These 3 Stocks Could Take the Hit

Rising gas prices are straining lower-income consumers' budgets, forcing them to cut spending. McDonald's, despite value positioning, shows cracks as CEO warns of deteriorating economic conditions. Dollar General lacks a trade-down option for its rural customer base, causing spending to halt entirely during economic stress. JetBlue Airways faces widening losses due to high fuel costs and lack of hedging protection, similar to Spirit Airlines which recently folded.

05/12/2026, 6:15 AM • The Motley Fool

As the Odds of a Recession Increase, Should You Buy Dollar General Stock?

Dollar General may be an attractive investment during economic downturns as consumers with reduced disposable income tend to shift toward budget-friendly retail options. The article suggests that recession conditions could drive more customers to discount retailers like Dollar General.

04/12/2026, 4:30 PM • The Motley Fool

The Financial Stock Built for Investors Who Want Income Without the Volatility

Realty Income (O) is highlighted as an ideal investment for income-focused investors seeking low volatility. The REIT offers a 5.29% dividend yield with a 0.77 beta, monthly dividend payments, and owns 15,000+ properties with a 98.9% occupancy rate. Its portfolio includes major tenants like Dollar General, Walmart, and FedEx, with long-term leases providing stable cash flow.

04/06/2026, 3:05 PM • The Motley Fool

Retail Sales Were Up 0.6% In February, But Ripple Effects from the Iran War Could Reverse That Trend. Here Are 2 Consumer Staples Stocks That Can Withstand Them.

U.S. retail sales grew 0.6% in February, beating expectations, but the Iran war and resulting oil price increases threaten to reverse this trend. The article recommends two defensive consumer staples stocks—Dollar General and Philip Morris International—as safe havens that have historically performed well during economic downturns and recessions.

04/02/2026, 3:13 PM • The Motley Fool

The Fed Has Stopped Cutting Rates. Why Investors Should Stay the Course With Realty Income Stock.

Despite the Fed halting interest rate cuts and recent stock pullbacks, Realty Income remains a solid investment for dividend-focused investors. The REIT owns over 15,500 net-leased properties with blue-chip tenants, maintains a 99% occupancy rate, and continues expanding with favorable loan terms. With FFO-based valuation metrics showing it's reasonably priced and a 5.1% dividend yield well above market averages, investors should hold their positions and view further price declines as buying opportunities.

03/22/2026, 7:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Five Below’s Earnings Blowout Has Wall Street Scrambling to Raise Targets

Five Below (FIVE) surged over 10% following strong Q4 2025 earnings, with the stock up 200% over 12 months. The company overcame tariff impacts and attracted younger demographics across income levels. Wall Street analysts are raising price targets, with UBS setting the highest at $285. However, the stock's P/E ratio of 42x is elevated, and investors may want to wait for a pullback around $220-$225 before entering positions.

03/20/2026, 10:33 AM • Investing