With 2025 expected to be a volatile one for the markets, investors may want to consider adding dividend stocks to help smooth the ride. The S & P 500 hovered near the flatline Wednesday after touching a fresh high. Still, concerns around inflation and President Donald Trump’s policies have already made for some rocky sessions so far this year. Tech stocks were also rattled in January by worries over China’s DeepSeek artificial-intelligence model . Equities with consistent dividends are often thought of as a ballast during times of volatility, with the income cushioning any price drops. Dividend aristocrats, in particular, can be appealing because they are companies that have raised their payouts for at least the past 25 consecutive years. CNBC Pro looked for names that not only have that history of dividend growth, but also have upside ahead, according to Wall Street analysts. The stocks are members of the ProShares S & P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) , have a buy rating from at least 51% of the analysts covering them and have an upside of 10% or more to the average analyst price target, per FactSet. The names also pay a dividend above the S & P 500’s 1.24%. Here are the stocks that made the cut. Global medical technology firm Becton Dickinson has 21% upside to the average price target — the highest of the group, according to FactSet. Investors also get a 1.8% dividend yield. Earlier this month, Becton Dickinson announced it planned to separate its biosciences and diagnostic solutions business from the rest of the company. The move came shortly after activist investor Starboard Value said it had taken a position in Becton Dickinson and called for the split. Shares are down fractionally so far this year. Energy giant Chevron , on the other hand, is up nearly 9% year to date. Last week, the company said it will cut up to 20% of its workforce as part of its plan to reduce costs by between $2 billion and $3 billion by year end. In January, Chevron reported fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. Meanwhile, its $53 billion merger with Hess is still on hold, with its last hurdle being the resolution of a dispute between the two companies and Exxon Mobil . A hearing before a three-judge arbitration panel is set for May . Chevron pays a 4.3% dividend and has 12.5% upside to the average price target. Investors can also get a juicy dividend with Federal Realty Investment Trust , which yields 4.2%. The real estate investment trust owns, operates and redevelops retail-based properties in coast markets. The stock is down more than 6% so far this year and has about 18% upside to the average price target. Lastly, consumer staples giant Procter & Gamble has 10% upside to the average price target and a 2.4% dividend yield, per FactSet. Earlier this month, D.A. Davidson said the company was among those that are the most immune to Trump’s tariffs. The company, which manufactures products like Tide, Pampers and Crest, reported a fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue beat in January. The stock is down about 1% year to date.
