Benzinga's Most Accurate Analysts Say Buy These 3 Defensive Stocks Delivering High-Dividend Yields

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.

Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting our Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy. Here's a look at the most recent high-yield dividend stock ratings from the most accurate Wall Street analysts, according to Benzinga's Analyst Stock Ratings.

Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the consumer staples sector.

Altria Group, Inc. MO

• Dividend Yield: 8.34%
• Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $48 to $57 on March 22, 2022. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 69%.
• Deutsche Bank analyst Steve Powers maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $51 to $52 on Jan. 22, 2021. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.
• Recent News: Altria Group, during October, reported a third-quarter FY22 sales decline of 3.5% year-on-year to $6.55 billion. The company is scheduled to release Q4 results on Feb. 1, 2023.

Philip Morris International Inc. PM

• Dividend Yield: 4.86%
• B of A Securities analyst Lisa Lewandowski maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $90 to $92 on Sept. 11, 2020. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.
• Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $95 to $120 on Jan. 25, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 69%.
• Recent News: Philip Morris International said it sees FY22 results broadly in-line with forecast provided on October 20 for organic pro forma net revenue growth.

The Kraft Heinz Company KHC

• Dividend Yield: 3.99%
• BMO Capital analyst Kenneth Zaslow upgraded the stock from Market Perform to Outperform with an price target of $46 on June 22, 2022. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 68%.
• Deutsche Bank analyst Steve Powers maintained a Buy rating and boosted the price target from $47 to $49 on Dec. 6, 2022. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.
• Recent News: Kraft Heinz, during October, reported third-quarter FY22 sales growth of 2.9% year-on-year to $6.50 billion. The company is expected to release Q4 results on Feb. 15, 2023.

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