As of late September 2024, the U.S. stock market has seen a mix of highs and lows, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average retreating from recent record levels amid investor caution ahead of key economic data releases. Despite these fluctuations, dividend stocks remain a reliable option for investors seeking steady income in uncertain times. In this article, we will explore three top U.S. dividend stocks for September 2024 that offer attractive yields and stability in the current market environment.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United States

Click here to see the full list of 176 stocks from our Top US Dividend Stocks screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener.

First National

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: First National Corporation, with a market cap of $112.54 million, operates as the bank holding company for First Bank, offering commercial banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, individuals, estates, local governmental entities, and non-profit organizations in Virginia.

Operations: First National Corporation generates $49.19 million from its banking segment, providing services to a diverse clientele in Virginia.

Dividend Yield: 3.2%

First National Corporation's dividend has been reliable and stable over the past 10 years, with a current yield of 3.22%. Although trading at 55.2% below its estimated fair value, its payout ratio is reasonably low at 47.5%, indicating dividends are well covered by earnings. Recent financials show decreased net income year-over-year, but net interest income increased slightly. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.15 per share payable on September 13, 2024.

• Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of First National.
• Upon reviewing our latest valuation report, First National's share price might be too pessimistic.

Star Bulk Carriers

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: Star Bulk Carriers Corp. is a shipping company that engages in the ocean transportation of dry bulk cargoes worldwide, with a market cap of $2.70 billion.

Operations: Star Bulk Carriers Corp. generates its revenue primarily from its dry bulk vessels, amounting to $1.10 billion.

Dividend Yield: 6.2%

Star Bulk Carriers recently declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.70 per share, despite an unstable dividend track record over the past five years. The company's dividends are well-covered by earnings (payout ratio: 76.5%) and cash flows (cash payout ratio: 45.9%). Recent financials show strong performance with Q2 revenue at US$352.88 million and net income at US$106.08 million, though it carries a high level of debt and has experienced shareholder dilution in the past year.

• Get an in-depth perspective on Star Bulk Carriers' performance by reading our dividend report here.
• Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of Star Bulk Carriers shares in the market.

X Financial

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: X Financial (NYSE:XYF) provides personal finance services in the People's Republic of China and has a market cap of $261.53 million.

Operations: X Financial generates revenue primarily from unclassified services, amounting to CN¥5.17 billion.

Dividend Yield: 6.3%

X Financial's dividend, yielding 6.28%, ranks in the top 25% of US dividend payers. However, its six-year track record shows volatility and unreliability. Despite this, dividends are well-covered by earnings (payout ratio: 8.9%) and cash flows (cash payout ratio: 14.5%). Recent Q2 results reported revenue of CNY 1.37 billion and net income of CNY 415.3 million, indicating strong financial performance but past shareholder dilution remains a concern.

• Click here to discover the nuances of X Financial with our detailed analytical dividend report.
• The analysis detailed in our X Financial valuation report hints at an deflated share price compared to its estimated value.

Key Takeaways

• Access the full spectrum of 176 Top US Dividend Stocks by clicking on this link.
• Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments.
• Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets.

Ready For A Different Approach?

• Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention.
• Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management.
• Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqCM:FXNC NasdaqGS:SBLK and NYSE:XYF.

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