Best dividend stocks to buy with $5,000 right now

A $5,000 portfolio split among Bank of America, AbbVie and Enterprise Products Partners would earn roughly $200 in yearly dividends, according to The Motley Fool’s 2025 guide [1].

Bank of America (BAC) offers a modest 2.1% yield on a stock that trades near $53, letting investors buy about 30 shares for $1,600 and collect $34 in dividends each year. The bank’s stability is underscored by a 23% jump in net income to $8.5 billion in the third quarter and a payout ratio of just 25% of earnings, suggesting the dividend can weather market swings [1].

Pharmaceutical giant AbbVie (ABBV) sits at a higher price point—over $200 per share—but still fits the $5,000 plan with seven shares costing roughly $1,575. Its 3.06% yield translates to $48 of annual payouts. AbbVie’s dividend credibility rests on a 54‑year streak of dividend increases, and recent product momentum—Skyrizi sales up 47% and Rinvoq up 35% in Q3—help offset the loss of Humira exclusivity, driving quarterly revenue to $15.8 billion, a 9.1% year‑over‑year rise [1].

Midstream energy player Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) delivers the highest yield at 6.7%, meaning each share pays $2.18 annually. At about $32 per share, an investor can acquire 51 shares for $1,650, generating $111 in dividend income. The company’s business model—transporting oil and gas without exposure to exploration costs—provides cash flow stability, even though Q3 operating income slipped to $1.68 billion from $1.78 billion a year earlier [1].

Together, these three stocks not only supply a steady cash stream but also have delivered strong total returns. The Fool’s five‑year backtest shows a $5,000 investment in the trio would have grown to nearly $11,500 when dividends were reinvested, a 129% total return versus 83% without dividend reinvestment [1].

The real question for investors is whether the blend of banking, pharma and midstream energy can continue to balance yield and growth as market conditions shift, especially with potential interest‑rate moves and energy price volatility.