Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts Say Hold These 3 Defensive Stocks With Over 6% Dividend Yields

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.

Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting our Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy. Here's a look at the most recent high-yield dividend stock ratings from the most accurate Wall Street analysts, according to Benzinga's Analyst Stock Ratings.

Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the consumer staples sector.

Altria Group, Inc. MO

• Dividend Yield: 8.29%
• Morgan Stanley analyst Pamela Kaufman maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $46 to $45 on June 2, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.
• Citigroup analyst Adam Spielman maintained a Neutral rating and lowered the price target from $49.5 to $47 on April 17, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 63%.
• Recent News: Altria Group completed the previously announced acquisition of NJOY Holdings, Inc.

Medifast, Inc. MED

• Dividend Yield: 8.32%
• DA Davidson analyst Linda Bolton Weiser maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $94 to $71 on May 2, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 68%.
• Jefferies analyst Stephanie Wissink downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold and cut the price target from $345 to $150 on Aug. 4, 2022. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 81%.
• Recent News: Medifast posted better-than-expected first-quarter results.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. WBA

• Dividend Yield: 6.33%
• UBS analyst Kevin Caliendo maintained a Neutral rating and lowered the price target from $39 to $37 on March 29, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 73%.
• Mizuho analyst Ann Hynes reiterated a Neutral rating with a price target of $41 on March 29, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 72%.
• Recent News: Walgreens Boots Alliance plans to slash 504 employees from its corporate workforce as the drugstore chain transforms into a consumer-centric healthcare company.

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