10 High-Flying Dividend Stocks for October: UPS, Ford, and Western Union Lead the Pack
Dividend stocks continue to prove their strength, offering investors a winning combination of steady income, portfolio stability, and long-term growth potential. In October 2025, some of the most recognized names in corporate America — from Western Union to United Parcel Service (UPS) — stood out among the top performers, rewarding income-focused investors with strong gains and solid dividend yields.
According to Morningstar’s Dividend Leaders Index, which tracks 100 of the highest-yielding and most reliable dividend-paying stocks, these were the 10 best-performing dividend leaders for October 2025:
Western Union (WU)
United Parcel Service (UPS)
️ Comerica (CMA)
Ford Motor (F)
Best Buy (BBY)
⚡ American Electric Power (AEP)
AES Corporation (AES)
Spire (SR)
✈️ Travel + Leisure (TNL)
Lincoln Financial Group (LNC)
How Dividend Stocks Fared Overall
While dividend stocks didn’t outpace the entire market, they still offered a cushion of stability.
• The Dividend Leaders Index fell slightly by 1.49% in October.
• The broader Dividend Composite Index lost 0.61%.
• However, over the past 12 months (ending Oct. 31, 2025), the Dividend Leaders Index gained 6.34%, while the Dividend Composite Index rose 11.41%.
• By comparison, the overall U.S. stock market (Morningstar US Market Index) climbed 2.21% in October and a whopping 21% over the past year.
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Spotlight on October’s Dividend Winners
Western Union (WU)
• October gain: +16.77%
• Dividend yield: 10.08%
• Annual dividend: $0.94/share
• Trading at $9.33, with a fair value of $17/share (45% discount!)
➡️ Western Union remains a 5-star rated stock and one of the most undervalued dividend plays on the market.
United Parcel Service (UPS)
• October gain: +15.43%
• Dividend yield: 6.8%
• Annual dividend: $6.56/share
• Trading at $96.42, with a fair value of $113/share
➡️ Despite recent share price drops, UPS remains a solid long-term income stock, backed by its “wide economic moat.”
Comerica (CMA)
• October gain: +11.65%
• Dividend yield: 3.71%
• Annual dividend: $2.84/share
➡️ Comerica is holding steady around its fair value of $80, showing resilience in a volatile banking environment.
Ford Motor (F)
• October gain: +9.78%
• Dividend yield: 4.57%
• Annual dividend: $0.60/share
➡️ Ford continues to reward investors as it transitions to electric vehicles, with shares trading 18% below fair value.
Best Buy (BBY)
• October gain: +8.62%
• Dividend yield: 4.63%
• Annual dividend: $3.80/share
➡️ Despite short-term pressure, Best Buy’s dividend remains attractive for income investors.
⚡ American Electric Power (AEP)
• October gain: +6.9%
• Dividend yield: 3.16%
• Annual dividend: $3.80/share
➡️ AEP’s strong fundamentals and narrow economic moat make it a dependable utility pick.
AES Corporation (AES)
• October gain: +6.73%
• Dividend yield: 5.07%
➡️ A high-yield option for investors willing to stomach moderate risk — though currently trading slightly above fair value.
Spire (SR)
• October gain: +5.99%
• Dividend yield: 3.63%
➡️ With a 40% one-year gain, Spire shows that even regulated gas companies can deliver strong growth and consistent dividends.
✈️ Travel + Leisure (TNL)
• October gain: +5.53%
• Dividend yield: 3.57%
➡️ Benefiting from post-pandemic travel resurgence, the stock is up 35% over the past year.
Lincoln Financial Group (LNC)
• October gain: +5.26%
• Dividend yield: 4.29%
➡️ This life insurance stock continues to deliver stable income and modest price growth.
Investor Takeaway
Dividend stocks remain a cornerstone for investors who want steady income and long-term value. Even in a mixed market, these 10 dividend leaders proved that consistency, quality, and yield can still outperform in uncertain times.
Whether it’s the reliability of UPS, the resilience of AEP, or the high yield of Western Union, investors looking to balance growth and income may find October’s winners worth watching — or even adding to their watchlist.
Dividend stocks continue to prove their strength, offering investors a winning combination of steady income, portfolio stability, and long-term growth potential. In October 2025, some of the most recognized names in corporate America — from Western Union to United Parcel Service (UPS) — stood out among the top performers, rewarding income-focused investors with strong gains and solid dividend yields.
According to Morningstar’s Dividend Leaders Index, which tracks 100 of the highest-yielding and most reliable dividend-paying stocks, these were the 10 best-performing dividend leaders for October 2025:
Western Union (WU)
United Parcel Service (UPS)
️ Comerica (CMA)
Ford Motor (F)
Best Buy (BBY)
⚡ American Electric Power (AEP)
AES Corporation (AES)
Spire (SR)
✈️ Travel + Leisure (TNL)
Lincoln Financial Group (LNC)
How Dividend Stocks Fared Overall
While dividend stocks didn’t outpace the entire market, they still offered a cushion of stability.
• The Dividend Leaders Index fell slightly by 1.49% in October.
• The broader Dividend Composite Index lost 0.61%.
• However, over the past 12 months (ending Oct. 31, 2025), the Dividend Leaders Index gained 6.34%, while the Dividend Composite Index rose 11.41%.
• By comparison, the overall U.S. stock market (Morningstar US Market Index) climbed 2.21% in October and a whopping 21% over the past year.
⸻
Spotlight on October’s Dividend Winners
Western Union (WU)
• October gain: +16.77%
• Dividend yield: 10.08%
• Annual dividend: $0.94/share
• Trading at $9.33, with a fair value of $17/share (45% discount!)
➡️ Western Union remains a 5-star rated stock and one of the most undervalued dividend plays on the market.
United Parcel Service (UPS)
• October gain: +15.43%
• Dividend yield: 6.8%
• Annual dividend: $6.56/share
• Trading at $96.42, with a fair value of $113/share
➡️ Despite recent share price drops, UPS remains a solid long-term income stock, backed by its “wide economic moat.”
Comerica (CMA)
• October gain: +11.65%
• Dividend yield: 3.71%
• Annual dividend: $2.84/share
➡️ Comerica is holding steady around its fair value of $80, showing resilience in a volatile banking environment.
Ford Motor (F)
• October gain: +9.78%
• Dividend yield: 4.57%
• Annual dividend: $0.60/share
➡️ Ford continues to reward investors as it transitions to electric vehicles, with shares trading 18% below fair value.
Best Buy (BBY)
• October gain: +8.62%
• Dividend yield: 4.63%
• Annual dividend: $3.80/share
➡️ Despite short-term pressure, Best Buy’s dividend remains attractive for income investors.
⚡ American Electric Power (AEP)
• October gain: +6.9%
• Dividend yield: 3.16%
• Annual dividend: $3.80/share
➡️ AEP’s strong fundamentals and narrow economic moat make it a dependable utility pick.
AES Corporation (AES)
• October gain: +6.73%
• Dividend yield: 5.07%
➡️ A high-yield option for investors willing to stomach moderate risk — though currently trading slightly above fair value.
Spire (SR)
• October gain: +5.99%
• Dividend yield: 3.63%
➡️ With a 40% one-year gain, Spire shows that even regulated gas companies can deliver strong growth and consistent dividends.
✈️ Travel + Leisure (TNL)
• October gain: +5.53%
• Dividend yield: 3.57%
➡️ Benefiting from post-pandemic travel resurgence, the stock is up 35% over the past year.
Lincoln Financial Group (LNC)
• October gain: +5.26%
• Dividend yield: 4.29%
➡️ This life insurance stock continues to deliver stable income and modest price growth.
Investor Takeaway
Dividend stocks remain a cornerstone for investors who want steady income and long-term value. Even in a mixed market, these 10 dividend leaders proved that consistency, quality, and yield can still outperform in uncertain times.
Whether it’s the reliability of UPS, the resilience of AEP, or the high yield of Western Union, investors looking to balance growth and income may find October’s winners worth watching — or even adding to their watchlist.