Dividend investors have several quality U.S. stocks approaching ex-dividend dates during the week of August 24–28. While the dividend itself should not be the sole reason to buy a stock, these five companies combine established businesses with recurring shareholder distributions and, in several cases, strong dividend-growth potential.
1. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson remains one of the strongest defensive dividend stocks for investors seeking dependable income. Its diversified healthcare operations and long dividend-growth record make it a core income candidate. JNJ’s quarterly dividend is $1.34 per share.
- Why it’s a smart buy right now: JNJ offers defensive exposure to healthcare, a 60%-range earnings payout ratio, and decades of consecutive dividend increases. The stock also offers a roughly 2% yield while maintaining room to reinvest in the business.
- Key metrics: Yield: ~2.06% | Payout ratio: ~60%.
- Upcoming ex-dividend date: August 25, 2026; the next payment is scheduled for September 8.
2. S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI)
S&P Global is a different type of dividend investment. Its yield is modest, but the company operates highly profitable financial-information and credit-rating businesses that can support substantial long-term capital returns.
- Why it’s a smart buy right now: SPGI combines a powerful competitive position with a low dividend payout ratio, leaving significant earnings available for reinvestment and future dividend growth. Its dividend has been growing for more than a decade.
- Key metrics: Yield: ~0.9% | Payout ratio: ~23%. The low payout ratio makes SPGI more of a dividend-growth play than a high-current-income stock.
- Upcoming ex-dividend date: August 26, 2026; the $0.97 quarterly dividend is scheduled to be paid September 10.
3. T-Mobile US (NASDAQ: TMUS)
T-Mobile has become increasingly attractive to dividend-growth investors as the company returns more cash to shareholders. Its dividend history is much shorter than JNJ’s, but the pace of growth has been significantly faster.
- Why it’s a smart buy right now: T-Mobile combines strong telecommunications cash flows with aggressive shareholder returns. Its $1.02 quarterly dividend and relatively low payout ratio provide room for continued increases.
- Key metrics: Yield: ~2.3% | Payout ratio: ~41%. The company has increased its dividend rapidly since initiating the payout.
- Upcoming ex-dividend date: August 28, 2026; the $1.02 dividend is scheduled for payment September 10.
4. NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE)
NextEra Energy offers investors a combination of regulated utility exposure and renewable-energy growth. That makes NEE particularly interesting for investors who want current income without giving up the possibility of above-average dividend growth.
- Why it’s a smart buy right now: NEE has continued to increase its quarterly dividend and offers exposure to a large regulated utility business alongside its renewable-energy operations. The payout remains manageable relative to earnings.
- Key metrics: Yield: ~2.8% | Payout ratio: ~56%. The company currently pays approximately $2.49 per share annually.
- Upcoming ex-dividend date: August 28, 2026; the $0.6232 quarterly dividend is scheduled to be paid September 15.
5. Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT)
Cabot Corporation is the lesser-known name on this list, but it deserves attention from dividend investors looking beyond the mega-cap universe. The specialty-chemicals company offers a moderate yield and a relatively conservative dividend payout.
- Why it’s a smart buy right now: CBT’s payout ratio is comfortably below 40%, giving the company a meaningful earnings cushion behind its dividend. It has also built a multi-year record of dividend increases.
- Key metrics: Yield: ~2.1% | Payout ratio: ~35%. The quarterly dividend is $0.4725 per share, or roughly $1.89 annually.
- Upcoming ex-dividend date: August 28, 2026; the next $0.4725 dividend is scheduled for payment September 11.
Bottom Line
For investors focused on dividend quality rather than simply chasing the highest yield, these five stocks offer different ways to build income and long-term wealth.
JNJ stands out for dividend durability, SPGI for dividend growth potential, TMUS for rapidly expanding shareholder returns, NEE for utility income and growth, and CBT for its conservative payout and established dividend record.
One important caveat: buying a stock immediately before its ex-dividend date does not create a free return. The share price typically adjusts downward by approximately the dividend amount on the ex-dividend date, so investors should evaluate the business, valuation, earnings outlook and dividend sustainability rather than the calendar date alone.