Berkshire Hathaway(NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) has never paid a quarterly dividend under Warren Buffett’s leadership. With the investing legend stepping down as CEO at the end of the year, it will never do so.
That doesn’t mean Buffett isn’t a fan of dividend stocks, though. Berkshire’s portfolio is chock-full of them – and some offer especially juicy yields. Here are Buffett’s three best high-yield dividend stocks for income investors to buy now.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Income investors seeking an ultra-high dividend yield among Buffett’s holdings will want to check out Chevron(NYSE: CVX). This oil and gas giant pays a forward dividend yield of 4.5%.
Even better, Chevron has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years. Over the last five years, the company has grown its dividend by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%.
Chevron leads the oil and gas industry in cash flow from operations growth since 2024. It also boasts the industry’s highest production CAGR. Importantly, the company is well-positioned financially to handle any price environment for crude oil.
Investors are also likely to be rewarded with “invisible dividends” from Chevron – stock buybacks. The company has repurchased its shares in 18 of the last 22 years. Management expects to buy back between 3% and 6% of outstanding shares annually.
What’s Buffett’s favorite stock? Aside from Berkshire Hathaway itself, a strong case can be made for The Coca-Cola Company(NYSE: KO). He’s owned Coca-Cola longer than any other stock. And it’s Berkshire’s fourth-largest holding.
Coca-Cola should be a favorite for income investors, too. The food and beverage company pays a dividend yield of 2.9%. Coke is a member of the Dividend Kings, an elite group of stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. Its streak currently stands at 63 years. I expect another dividend hike in early 2026.
While Coca-Cola is best known for its namesake soda, the company markets 30 brands that generate annual sales of $1 billion or more. Overall, Coca-Cola ranks as the world’s top consumer brand.
If you’re worried that the stock market could be headed for a rough patch in 2026, Coca-Cola could be an especially smart pick. Due to its long history of stability, the stock is viewed by many investors as a safe haven.
You might be somewhat surprised to see UnitedHealth Group(NYSE: UNH) on the list of Buffett’s best high-yield dividend stocks. The healthcare company’s dividend yield of 2.7% meets the requirements, but its stock has been a significant underperformer in 2025.
Buffett recognized the opportunity that UnitedHealth’s steep sell-off presented in the second quarter of this year. He bought around 5 million shares for Berkshire’s portfolio. Buffett wasn’t the only billionaire to jump at the chance to buy the blue chip stock at a discount. David Tepper also loaded up on UnitedHealth in Q2.
Income investors can still purchase this high-yield dividend stock at a bargain price. UnitedHealth Group’s share price remains well below its previous high. Importantly, the company’s outlook is expected to improve significantly next year.
Much of UnitedHealth Group’s problems in 2025 stemmed from higher-than-anticipated medical costs in its Medicare Advantage plans. The health insurer is raising premiums, though, which should go a long way toward addressing its issues in 2026.
I believe that Chevron, Coca-Cola, and UnitedHealth Group are the best high-yield dividend stocks in Buffett’s portfolio for income investors to buy now. However, I think a few others deserve honorable mentions.
Three of the five Japanese stocks owned by Berkshire Hathaway offer dividend yields of over 2.8%: Mitsubishi(OTC: MSBHF)(OTC: MTSU.Y), Mitsui(OTC: MITSF)(OTC: MITSY), and Sumitomo(OTC: SSUM.F)(OTC: SSUM.Y). Their valuations are also attractive.
Buffett has said that he foresees Berkshire owning all of these Japanese stocks “indefinitely.” Abel is on the same page. At Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting earlier this year, he envisioned holding them “for 50 years or forever.”
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Keith Speights has positions in Berkshire Hathaway and Chevron. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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