Which stocks are the biggest dividend payers?

In the last 12 months, companies from different sectors of the economy were part of the list of largest dividend payers. From the owner of brands such as Melissa and Ipanema to companies in the energy sector, such as Cemig.

The results for the period were impacted by the approval of taxation on dividends at the end of 2025. There are companies that preferred to bring forward the distribution of remuneration to shareholders before the new rules came into force in January of this year.

Leader of the ranking is from the footwear sector
According to data from EQI Research, the leader in the ranking with the highest dividends was Grandene (GRND3), owner of the footwear brands Melissa, Rider and Ipanema, with a 31% dividend yield. It is accompanied by Direcional Engenharia, a construction and development company, and Marcopolo, which manufactures bus bodies.

See the complete list with their respective dividend yield values:

- Grendene (GRND3): footwear producer with brands such as Melissa, Ipanema, Rider, Zaxy and Grenda, 31.0%.

- Direcional Engenharia (DIRR3): construction company and developer, 21.2%.

- Marcopolo (POMO4): manufacturer of bus bodies, 16.8%.

- Cemig (CMIG4): Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais, 16.5%.

- Cyrela (CYRE3): construction company and developer, 16.5%.

- Marfrig (MRFG3): company in the food sector, 15.6%.

- Rede D'Or (RDOR3): independent hospital operator, 15.1%.

- TIM (TIMS3): telephone and mobile internet operator in Brazil, 14.4%.

- Itaúsa (ITSA4): investment holding, 13.3%.

- Copel (CPLE3): Companhia Paraense de Energia, 13.0%.

Dividend Yield is one of the main metrics of the financial market
The dividend yield is an indicator of the return that an investment pays in relation to its price. In other words, it shows how much the investor receives in dividends, usually as a percentage, and helps in evaluating the income potential of investments.

If a share is worth R$100, for example, and its dividend yield is 15%, the return would be R$15. The calculation is simple, just divide the dividends per share by the current share price and multiply by 100:

Dividend Yield = (dividends per share / current share price) * 100

Dividend Yield = (15/100) * 100

Dividend Yield = 15

How do you know if the dividend yield is good?
Stable yields of 7% to 8% per year are usually considered attractive. This is because both low and very high percentages trigger warnings about a devaluation of the asset or high risk.

Aspects that can be analyzed together with the indicator:

- Price history: see the variation in the company's share prices over time, both in terms of stability and seasonal or unusual movements.

- Stability: consistent dividend payments over the months and years guarantees greater income predictability and signals good management of the company.

- Comparison with the sector: find out if the volume and percentage of dividends reflects the average of the main companies in the same area.

Because of this, it is not possible to say what the best dividend yield is. It all depends on the strategy of your investment portfolio and the balance of returns of the companies that are part of it.

How to choose the best investment options?
Follow the main news and quarterly reports of the companies that are part of your investment portfolio. There are experts who comment on the best stock and dividend options, and financial education content to use as a base.

Using platforms that make it easier to manage and monitor applications on a day-to-day basis also helps. Inter, for example, has Home Broker for buying and selling orders directly via cell phone and computer.

Integrated tools in the institution's application also allow you to monitor prices and carry out analyzes in the same place, including recommended portfolios.

Changes in taxation rules influenced the ranking
In December 2025, the Federal Revenue updated the rules relating to Income Tax (IR) for individuals. Since January 1, 2026, distributed profits and dividends will have a source tax rate of 10% on amounts exceeding R$50,000 per month per company.

The new rules also point out that there is no tax withholding for profits and dividends from results calculated in the calendar year 2025 and which had their distribution approved until December 31st of the same year.

This generated anticipation on the part of companies, to avoid the remuneration to shareholders last year from being taxed.

Source: CNN