What makes an outstanding dividend stock? High yields can seem attractive to income seekers, but unless a company has a steady, reliable business, payout cuts are a real possibility no matter how juicy its dividend yield.

Looking for dividend income? Explore these high-paying dividend stocks from the S&P 500 for potential returns in 2025.

Dividend stocks are gaining popularity again due to the recent wave of bearishness in the stock market. Both retail and institutional investors chased AI and growth stocks in the past two years, and dividend stocks were rarely on their bucket list as the returns paled compared to the hottest names on the market.