****

With earnings reports from major U.S. companies driving fluctuations in the stock market, investors are increasingly seeking stable returns. One strategy to achieve this stability is to invest in dividend-paying stocks. Recommendations from top Wall Street analysts, based on rigorous financial analysis and a company's ability to sustain dividend payments, provide valuable insights. Here are three standout dividend stocks, as highlighted by TipRanks' top-performing analysts.

**Home Depot (HD): Robust Returns Amid Stability**

For investors eyeing the retail sector, Home Depot is a strong option. The home improvement giant, despite reporting mixed first-quarter results for fiscal 2025, has maintained its full-year guidance. The company stands firm on keeping its prices steady, opting not to increase them in response to tariffs. Home Depot announced a dividend of $2.30 per share for Q1 2025, payable on June 18, 2025. With an annualized dividend of $9.20 per share, Home Depot offers a 2.5% dividend yield.

Evercore analyst Greg Melich reiterated a buy rating on Home Depot, setting a price target of $400. He believes that Home Depot's risk/reward profile is one of the best within Evercore's coverage. Key positive factors in Q1 performance include stabilizing customer traffic, improved inventory shrinkage rates, and an 8% growth in online sales. Melich anticipates that Home Depot could emerge as a standout stock once macroeconomic conditions improve, likening its potential to that of Costco in 2023 and Walmart in 2024.

**Diamondback Energy (FANG): High Yields from Strategic Adjustments**

In the energy sector, Diamondback Energy emerges as a notable pick. The independent oil and gas company, focused on onshore reserves in the Permian Basin, exceeded expectations in its first-quarter results. Despite commodity price volatility, Diamondback has strategically reduced its full-year activity to maximize free cash flow. The company returned $864 million to shareholders in Q1 2025 through stock repurchases and a base dividend of $1.00 per share. The stock's dividend yield is approximately 3.9%.

RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold reaffirmed a buy rating on Diamondback, with a price target of $180. The company's decision to reduce its capital budget by 10% and lower production by only 1% has led Hanold to increase his free cash flow estimates. Diamondback’s ability to buy back shares and pay down a significant $1.5 billion term loan further enhances its financial position. Hanold underscores that Diamondback boasts one of the lowest cost structures in the industry, making it a highly efficient operator.

**ConocoPhillips (COP): Stable Dividends Amid Market Uncertainty**

ConocoPhillips, another stalwart in the energy sector, reported impressive earnings for Q1 2025. The company adjusted its capital and operational cost guidance downward while maintaining its production outlook. ConocoPhillips distributed $2.5 billion to shareholders in Q1 2025, allocating $1.5 billion to share repurchases and $1.0 billion via ordinary dividends. The stock's current annualized dividend of $3.12 per share results in a yield of about 3.7%.

Goldman Sachs analyst Neil Mehta reiterated a buy rating on ConocoPhillips, setting a price target of $119. Despite short-term volatility due to oil price uncertainties, Mehta has a positive long-term outlook on gas prices and expects the company’s breakeven cost to decline over time. Key projects such as the Willow project in Alaska contribute to this optimistic projection. Mehta recognizes the company's decision not to adhere to a $10 billion capital return target, acknowledging that it may have caused temporary stock volatility. Nevertheless, ConocoPhillips continues to offer compelling shareholder returns, estimated at 8%.

In summary, Home Depot, Diamondback Energy, and ConocoPhillips represent solid dividend-paying stocks, backed by strong financials and strategic foresight, making them attractive options for investors amid market fluctuations.