High inflation risks, sticky interest rates and energy driven cost pressures have pushed many investors toward income they can see and touch. That is where the Dividend Fortresses screener comes in, focusing on stocks with dividend yields above 5% that aim to offer both resilience and meaningful cash payouts. Instead of trying to guess the next macro twist, you can look at companies that already return a high share of cash to shareholders. In this article you will see three stocks from the screener that are highlighted for their income potential and fortress like dividend profiles.

Dillard's (DDS)

Overview: Dillard's is a US department store group that sells fashion apparel, accessories, cosmetics, homewares and other consumer goods across its physical stores, online platform dillards.com and clearance centers, and it also runs a construction arm that builds and remodels its own stores.

Operations: Dillard's generates virtually all of its US$6.6b revenue in the United States, with US$6.3b from retail operations and about US$269m from construction, partly offset by US$27m of intersegment eliminations.

Market Cap: US$8.36b

Dillard's appears in an income focused screen because it couples a 5.85% dividend yield with a history of profitability and a P/E that sits below the broader US market, even as recent sales and earnings have softened. Earnings per share have declined over the last three years and margins have edged lower, which points to business pressures that dividend seekers may wish to consider. At the same time, return on equity is high, the balance between seasoned management and a long standing board suggests stability, and the stock has outperformed both the US market and the multiline retail sector over the past year. The key consideration is whether this mix of income, returns and slowing growth suits your objectives as an investor.

Dillard's combination of a 5.85% yield, high return on equity and lower P/E hints at a story the share price may not fully reflect yet. Get the full picture in the 2 key rewards and 1 important major warning sign

DHT Holdings (DHT)

Overview: DHT Holdings is a Bermuda based owner of crude oil tankers, operating a fleet of very large crude carriers that move seaborne oil between key exporting regions and major importing hubs, while also providing technical management services to keep those vessels operating safely and efficiently.

Operations: DHT generates around US$659.4m in revenue from operating its fleet of crude oil tankers.

Market Cap: US$3b

DHT stands out in the Dividend Fortresses screener because it sits at the heart of global oil shipping, with a fleet focused on very large crude carriers that can benefit when trade routes are disrupted and spot rates spike. Earnings surged recently, helped by very high day rates and a business model that leans toward spot exposure. Profitability metrics such as a 50.3% net margin and 26.9% return on equity show how that pricing can feed directly into cash generation. At the same time, revenue and earnings are expected to ease back and the 5.5% dividend is not fully covered by free cash flow, so income investors may need to weigh attractive recent performance against the risk that current conditions and payouts may not persist at the same level.

DHT’s recent surge in earnings and tanker day rates could be masking the real story behind that 5.5% yield. Before assuming those payouts will stick, read the 3 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (2 are major!).

Global Ship Lease (GSL)

Overview: Global Ship Lease owns and leases a fleet of 71 mid sized and smaller containerships on fixed rate charters to container shipping companies worldwide. It earns long term rental income from its vessels rather than running its own liner services.

Operations: Global Ship Lease generates about US$753m in revenue from transportation and shipping services via its containership chartering business.

Market Cap: US$1.51b

Global Ship Lease gives income focused investors a mix of high profitability, with a 54% net margin and 23.1% return on equity, and earnings visibility supported by a US$1.73b revenue backlog with roughly 2.1 years of charter cover. It also returns cash through ordinary and preferred dividends plus past buybacks that retired about 7.1% of shares. At the same time, analysts expect earnings and revenue to decline over the next few years and the dividend record is described as unstable, so your future income is not guaranteed. Adding in sector risks from trade disruptions, charter rate swings and tighter emissions rules on an aging global fleet, this is a stock where careful assessment of the balance between value, income and shipping risk really matters.

High charter cover, a US$1.73b backlog and a 54% net margin suggest Global Ship Lease’s current pricing power may be easy to underestimate; the real twist sits inside the 3 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

The three stocks in this article are just the starting point, with the full screen surfacing 11 more companies in the Dividend Fortresses screener that carry similarly compelling high yield, fortress style dividend stories. Unlock deeper insight by using Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the exact catalysts, cash flow profiles and dividend narratives that matter most to you so you can focus on your highest conviction ideas.

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

If DHT Holdings or any of these companies have caught your attention, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value and track any new developments as they happen. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.