A softer U.S. jobs report and the prospect of steady interest rates through December have shifted the spotlight back onto dividend stocks. Income focused investors now face a mix of potential support for risk assets and fresh uncertainty around how the Federal Reserve communicates its next moves. This article walks through 3 dividend stocks from our screener that appear positively exposed to this news and explains what this could mean for your portfolio decisions.

The three stocks covered below are only a starting sample from this idea, and the full screen surfaced 16 more dividend focused companies with equally compelling narratives that are not included in the article. To identify and analyze those additional opportunities in detail, head straight into the Dividend Stocks screener.

Principal Financial Group (PFG)

Overview: Principal Financial Group provides retirement plans, asset management, and insurance solutions for businesses, individuals, and institutions, with particular strength in serving small and mid-sized employers. Its mix of 401(k)s, annuities, mutual funds, and employee benefits creates multiple fee and premium streams from one client base.

Operations: Principal Financial Group generates most of its revenue from Retirement and Income Solutions at about $7.8b, Benefits and Protection at about $5b, and Principal Asset Management at about $2.9b, with smaller corporate and unallocated items.

Market Cap: US$24.3b

Income focused investors may find Principal Financial Group notable at the moment because it pairs a long dividend track record with clear earnings momentum, supported by a diversified mix of retirement, asset management, and benefits businesses that all earn fees and premiums from the same employer relationships. Recent results show higher operating margins, rising net revenue, and active capital returns through an 8% dividend increase and ongoing buybacks. However, the P/E sits above the wider insurance peer group. At the same time, funding relies entirely on external sources, and management is working through institutional outflows in some strategies. How that mix of improving profitability, the valuation gap to some intrinsic value estimates, and funding risk develops is a key consideration for Principal.

Principal Financial Group’s rising margins and active capital returns are grabbing attention, yet the higher P/E suggests the full story is not obvious. See how the 4 key rewards and 1 important warning sign could shift your view right at the point most investors stop looking.

Build your own dividend and cash flow shortlist

Principal Financial Group and the other two dividend stocks here all came from the same Simply Wall St screen, but the real value is in shaping filters that fit your style. Use our flexible Screener to combine dividend strength, valuation, quality, and risks, or start with one of our curated Investing Ideas.

Horace Mann Educators (HMN)

Overview: Horace Mann Educators focuses on providing insurance, retirement, and supplemental benefits tailored to U.S. educators, offering auto, home, life, annuities, and workplace benefits through agents, brokers, and digital channels. The company aims to be a one stop financial services partner for teachers by combining protection, savings, and financial wellness tools.

Market Cap: US$2.1b

Income focused investors may want Horace Mann Educators on their radar because it combines a long standing educator niche with a diversified mix of property and casualty, life, retirement, and supplemental benefits that can support steady fee and underwriting income. Record Q2 2026 core earnings, raised full year guidance, and acquisitions expected to add close to US$200 million of annual revenue and lift earnings from 2027 point to a business that is actively building scale. At the same time, a higher P/E than many insurance peers, funding that relies on external borrowing, and concentration in an aging educator customer base are real watchpoints. How those growth plans and risks balance out is central to evaluating whether the dividend and earnings profile fits an individual portfolio.

Horace Mann Educators looks like an earnings story that is still forming, with record Q2 2026 core results and US$200m of planned revenue additions. See how the analyst forecasts for Horace Mann Educators reframes the growth path and what might quietly cap it.

MetLife (MET)

Overview: MetLife is a global financial services company that provides life and health insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management solutions for individuals, employers, and institutions across the U.S., Asia, Latin America, and EMEA.

Operations: MetLife generates most of its revenue from U.S. Group Benefits at about US$27.1b and U.S. Retirement and Income Solutions at about US$21.5b, supported by Asia at about US$12.4b, Latin America at about US$9.1b, EMEA at about US$3.4b, and MetLife Investment Management at about US$1.1b, with the remainder coming from various corporate and unallocated items.

Market Cap: US$62.1b

Income focused investors may want MetLife on their watchlist because it combines a long running dividend record with a broad mix of group benefits, retirement solutions, and international businesses that respond differently to interest rate and equity market cycles. The company recently reported adjusted Q2 2026 earnings of about US$1.6b and 15% year over year growth, supported by strong Group Benefits results, while also approving another US$3b in share repurchases and returning about US$1.1b to shareholders. At the same time, high debt levels, funding that depends on external sources rather than deposits, and past earnings declines mean the story is not risk free. With shares trading well below one DCF based fair value estimate and management leaning on the New Frontier strategy, the balance of yield, potential growth, and balance sheet risk is where the real work for investors begins.

MetLife’s New Frontier plan, Q2 2026 earnings of about US$1.6b, and fresh US$3b buyback approval point to a story many investors may only be half seeing. Get the full picture in the analysis report for MetLife

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Beyond Dividends

Some of the most interesting opportunities often move first. Before the next breakout gathers momentum and flies out of reach, scan these fresh stock ideas while it still matters and consider your options.

• Spot resilient operators before the crowd by scanning our curated list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (48 results) that can help keep portfolios grounded when momentum drops elsewhere.
• Explore the next wave in infrastructure as electricity demand builds by checking the hand picked 37 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks to help you target companies supporting grid upgrades.
• Monitor early shifts in automation before they are fully priced by reviewing carefully selected 37 robotics and automation stocks that may benefit if robotics adoption keeps building.

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.