Top Dividend Stocks Loved by Warren Buffett – What They Tell Us About Smart Income Investing
Discover the dividend-paying stocks Warren Buffett actually buys—and why they remain long-term income powerhouses.
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< Buffett's Favorite Dividend Picks 2025 > |
1. The Legend Behind the Portfolio
It’s 2025, and Warren Buffett is still investing like a boss—except now, it’s not just about value… it’s also about cash flow.
At 94, the Oracle of Omaha doesn’t chase speculative AI or crypto hype. Instead, he sticks with his old playbook:
"Buy great businesses that pay you to hold them."
Let’s take a closer look at what dividend-paying stocks Buffett owns and what that means for everyday investors like us.
2. Why Buffett Loves Dividends – But Doesn’t Talk About Them Much
Here’s the twist: Buffett doesn’t often preach about dividend investing. But if you open up Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio, it’s loaded with dividend payers. Why?
- Steady income without selling assets
- Tax advantages for long-term holders
- Cash to redeploy into other investments
- Durability during market downturns
"The best investments are those that keep sending you cash—no matter what the market is doing."
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< Buffett’s Top Dividend Stocks 2025 > |
3. Buffett’s Top Dividend Stocks (2025)
■ 1) Apple Inc. (AAPL)
- Dividend Yield: ~0.5%
- Annual Dividend Payout: ~$15 billion (total company)
- Berkshire Stake: ~$155 billion
Why Buffett holds it:
- Brand loyalty, pricing power
- Strong cash flow + consistent share buybacks
- Low yield but high dividend growth
“Buffett once called Apple 'probably the best business I know.' That’s saying something.”
■ 2) Coca-Cola (KO)
- Dividend Yield: ~3.1%
- Dividend Growth Streak: 61 consecutive years
- Berkshire Stake: ~$25 billion
Why Buffett holds it:
- Global brand
- Resilient in recessions
- Reliable income since 1988
“Buffett’s Coca-Cola dividends alone now pay over $700 million a year.”
■ 3) Chevron (CVX)
- Dividend Yield: ~4.1%
- Energy exposure with inflation hedge
- Berkshire Stake: ~$20 billion
Why Buffett holds it:
- Strong capital returns
- Beneficiary of commodity cycles
- High dividend payout policy
“Buffett has always liked cash-rich businesses. Chevron prints it.”
■ 4) American Express (AXP)
- Dividend Yield: ~1.3%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 8.5% CAGR (10 years)
- Berkshire Stake: ~$30 billion
Why Buffett holds it:
- Financial moat via brand and network
- Strong profitability
- Steady, growing dividend
“He likes businesses that grow earnings—and their dividends—with time.”
■ 5) Moody’s Corporation (MCO)
- Dividend Yield: ~0.9%
- Small stake, big conviction
Why Buffett holds it:
- Predictable recurring revenue
- Oligopoly in credit ratings
- Low payout, high growth potential
“Buffett doesn’t chase yield. He chases durability—and Moody’s delivers.”
4. What Can You Learn from Buffett’s Dividend Picks?
Buffett Trait | What It Looks Like in Action |
---|---|
Patience | He’s held KO since 1988. |
Conviction | 40%+ of his portfolio is AAPL. |
Consistency | Focuses on cash-flow-positive firms. |
Simplicity | Doesn’t over-diversify; holds winners. |
“You don’t need 50 stocks. You need a few great businesses that pay you well.”
5. How to Use This as an Investor in 2025
Even if you don’t have Buffett’s billions, you can follow his principles:
- ✅ Start with dividend growers
- ✅ Reinvest early, take income later
- ✅ Focus on companies with pricing power
- ✅ Don’t chase high yield—chase quality
- ✅ Be patient. Let time do the heavy lifting
Build Your Own Buffett-Style Income Portfolio
Which of these stocks would you feel confident holding for 10+ years?
In the next post, we’ll break down “Buffett-Style ETFs” you can buy for hands-off investing with a dividend focus.
Until then—study the greats. Copy their mindset.
And remember: You’re not late. You’re just getting started.