<p><span>Are you looking for a good dividend stock to buy to start 2026 with some income flowing into your portfolio? Below, I've got a list of three blue chip stocks that make for safe investments to hang on to. And they've all been increasing their dividend payments in recent years.</span></p>
<p><strong>Costco Wholesale </strong><span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(COST <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.54%</span>)</span>, <strong>Home Depot </strong><span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(HD <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.78%</span>)</span>, and <strong>McDonald's </strong><span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(MCD <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.16%</span>)</span> are not only solid dividend investments, but you can get them at reduced prices as these stocks are all trading near their 52-week lows. Here's why these can be excellent options to buy if you're looking for long-term dividend stocks to hold for not only years, but potentially decades.</p>
<div><img alt="A couple looking at a computer screen." width="880" height="582" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NTA2NDUvYS1jb3VwbGUtbG9va2luZy1hdC1hLWNvbXB1dGVyLXNjcmVlbi5qcGcmdz0zODQw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NTA2NDUvYS1jb3VwbGUtbG9va2luZy1hdC1hLWNvbXB1dGVyLXNjcmVlbi5qcGcmdz0zODQw"/>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<h2>Costco Wholesale</h2>
<p>Shares of Costco have spiked recently, but as of Monday's close, the stock was trading around $945 and was still less than 12% away from its 52-week low of $844.06. Over the past 12 months, the stock's returns have been flat. And while I don't love the stock's inflated price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 50, it's hard to argue with the safety and long-term stability that comes with the business.</p>
<p>Costco has generated solid earnings numbers over the years as its warehouses are go-to options for all types of consumers. Even for price-conscious customers, buying in bulk at Costco's stores can help result in longer-term savings. Throw in its generous return policy, and it's one of the better places for consumers to shop -- as long as you don't mind the crowded stores.</p><div><div id="foolcom_sidebar_top_container"></div></div>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Costco Wholesale Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0NPU1QucG5nJnc9MTI4?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0NPU1QucG5nJnc9MTI4"/></div><div><h2>NASDAQ: COST</h2><div>Costco Wholesale</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(0.54%) $5.09</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$956.07</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$422B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$950.67 - $958.29</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$844.06 - $1078.23</div><div>Volume</div><div>91K</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>2.7M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>12.88%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>0.53%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>The company's sales have grown over the years, and with membership renewal rates typically around 90% and higher, Costco's strong numbers speak for themselves. In the trailing 12 months, the company has generated $8.3 billion in net income on revenue totaling $280.4 billion. </p><div><div><div>Advertisement</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>
<p>Although its dividend yield is modest at just 0.6%, the company has increased its quarterly payout by 86% over the past five years. And occasionally, the company also issues a special dividend, which can make that dividend income look even better.</p><div><div id="in_line_article_pitch_container"></div></div>
<p>I wouldn't expect huge returns at its current valuation, but as long as you're willing to hold on for the long haul, Costco can be a solid income investment to put in your portfolio today.</p>
<h2>Home Depot</h2>
<p>Another top dividend stock you can safely hold in your portfolio today is Home Depot. The stock is trading down 4% over the past 12 months, and it's about 14% away from its 52-week low of $326.31.</p>
<p>At 2.5%, you're collecting a much higher dividend yield with the stock; it's more than double the <strong>S&amp;P 500</strong>'s average yield of just 1.1%. The home repair retailer has also been generous with dividend hikes as its current quarterly payout of $2.30 is 53% higher than the $1.50 it was paying toward the end of 2020. </p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Home Depot Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0hELnBuZyZ3PTEyOA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0hELnBuZyZ3PTEyOA"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: HD</h2><div>Home Depot</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(0.78%) $2.94</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$378.89</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$374B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$375.32 - $380.18</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$326.31 - $426.75</div><div>Volume</div><div>96K</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>4.3M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>31.40%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>2.45%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>Home Depot's stock comes at a much more modest valuation as its P/E multiple of 26 is in line with the S&amp;P 500 average. And even though consumers may be scaling back on discretionary purchases, the business remains profitable with margins that are better than Costco's; over the trailing 12 months, Home Depot's net income has totaled $14.6 billion, which is around 9% of the $166.2 billion it reported in sales during that time frame.</p>
<h2>McDonald's</h2>
<p>Rounding out this list is fast-food giant McDonald's. On Monday, the stock closed at just under $307, within 11% of its 52-week low of $276.53. Admittedly, the stock hasn't fluctuated all that much; its high over the past year isn't a whole lot higher, at $326.32. Like Home Depot, its P/E multiple is also around 26.</p>
<p>The stock pays 2.4% in dividends, and 2026 is likely to be the year that it joins the exclusive club of Dividend Kings, as barring an all-out disaster for the business, it's highly probable that the company will boost its dividend for a 50th consecutive year in the near future. Its current quarterly per-share dividend is $1.86, which is 44% higher than the $1.29 it was paying five years earlier. </p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="McDonald's Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL01DRC5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL01DRC5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: MCD</h2><div>McDonald's</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(0.16%) $0.49</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$308.62</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$219B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$303.80 - $308.93</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$276.53 - $326.32</div><div>Volume</div><div>3.1M</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>3.2M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>57.25%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>2.33%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>McDonald's is a safe long-term investment to hang on to. Its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences over the years, while also offering relatively low-priced meal options, has allowed it to continually generate strong results. Over the past four quarters, the company has reported $8.4 billion in profit on sales of $26.3 billion, for an excellent profit margin of 32%.</p><div id="article_pitch_container"></div><div id="promobox_container"></div>

COST

<p>Three blue chip dividend stocks, Costco Wholesale, Home Depot, and McDonald's, are currently trading near their 52-week lows, making them attractive options for long-term investors. Costco's stock is around $945, with a modest dividend yield of 0.6% and a strong history of dividend increases. Home Depot offers a higher yield of 2.5% and has seen significant dividend hikes. McDonald's, close to $307, pays a 2.4% dividend and is on track to increase its dividend for the 50th consecutive year. These stocks provide stability and income potential for investors looking to enhance their portfolios.</p>

These 3 Blue Chip Dividend Stocks Are Trading Near Their 52-Week Lows