Fed signals on possible 2026 rate hikes, rising Treasury yields and sharp moves in heavyweight tech stocks are shaking expectations about where income and risk might sit in a portfolio. With forward guidance dialed back, reliable dividend payers can look relatively straightforward compared with fast changing growth stories. This article highlights three dividend stocks from the screener that are directly exposed to the latest Fed news and market repricing. Each stock offers a different angle on how investors might seek to lean into, or step back from, these shifting rate expectations while still keeping an eye on income potential.

Great-West Lifeco (TSX:GWO)

Overview: Great-West Lifeco is a large Canadian financial group that provides life and health insurance, retirement savings plans, wealth and asset management, and reinsurance across Canada, the United States and Europe, serving individuals, employers and institutional clients through brands such as Empower, Canada Life and Irish Life.

Operations: Great-West Lifeco generates most of its revenue in Canada (CA$12.3b), followed by Europe (CA$8.5b), the United States (CA$6.0b), Capital and Risk Solutions (CA$5.5b) and Corporate activities (CA$0.5b).

Market Cap: CA$79.7b

For income seekers trying to make sense of higher rate expectations and volatile tech stocks, Great-West Lifeco is a large insurer with a long record of dividends, improving margins and a growing retirement and wealth business that benefits from aging populations in its core markets. Earnings have increased over time, the dividend yield is around 3%, and recent results show higher net income and EPS. One estimate of fair value suggests the stock trades at a discount even with a relatively high P/E. The trade off is that funding relies on external borrowings and analysts already factor in only moderate earnings growth, so investors need to weigh this income profile and recent capital returns against the risk of future repricing if expectations tighten further.

Great-West Lifeco’s mix of a 3% yield, higher recent net income and a growing retirement and wealth arm raises an obvious question: is the market mispricing that combination in the DCF valuation analysis for Great-West Lifeco

Fidelity National Financial (FNF)

Overview: Fidelity National Financial is a US insurer that focuses on title insurance, escrow and other real estate transaction services, while also offering annuity and life insurance products and technology solutions that support the real estate and mortgage industries.

Operations: Fidelity National Financial generates US$8.7b from Title, US$6.0b from F&G Annuities & Life, US$0.3b from Corporate and Other, and a US$0.1b elimination, with all reported revenue of about US$15.0b coming from the United States.

Market Cap: US$12.6b

Fidelity National Financial sits at the intersection of US housing activity and higher interest rates, which can lift interest and investment income while still leaving title volumes exposed to weaker mortgage and real estate demand. The stock currently offers a dividend yield of about 4.4% and has been returning cash through buybacks. However, margins have compressed, recent earnings fell compared with past years and funding is entirely reliant on external borrowing rather than deposits, which adds risk. For investors who want income from a mature business that is investing in digital workflows and fee based F&G earnings, the key question is whether recent margin pressure and governance changes represent a temporary reset or indicate that the current valuation already reflects most of the potential upside.

Fidelity National Financial’s 4.4% yield and fee based F&G earnings could be masking a more interesting story around margins and real estate sensitivity, and the 4 key rewards and 1 important warning sign might show where that tension really sits

RPM International (RPM)

Overview: RPM International is a US based specialty chemicals company that supplies coatings, sealants, waterproofing systems and repair products used in construction, industrial settings and everyday consumer brands, giving it exposure to both large infrastructure projects and home improvement spending.

Operations: RPM International generates most of its revenue from the Construction Products Group at about US$2.9b, followed by the Consumer Segment at roughly US$2.5b, the Performance Coatings Group at about US$1.6b and a segment adjustment of around US$0.7b, while the United States contributes roughly US$5.4b of its US$7.7b geographic revenue base.

Market Cap: US$13.7b

RPM International appears in the Dividend Stocks screener because it combines more than 50 years of uninterrupted dividend increases with a 2% yield, earnings described as high quality and an ROE above 21%. The company is currently reporting cost savings under its MAP 2025 program, demand for repair and maintenance products, and a business mix tied to long lived infrastructure rather than short term themes. At the same time, RPM reports high debt levels and reliance on external borrowing, while revenue and earnings growth have recently trailed broader US market averages. Investors may wish to consider the long dividend track record and governance changes in the context of the balance sheet risk and the recent growth profile.

RPM International’s long dividend streak and cost savings program suggest a story many investors may be only half seeing. The analysis report for RPM International hints at how its balance sheet risk and growth profile really intersect.

The three dividend stocks in this article are just a sample of what is possible, as the full screener surfaced 77 more companies with similar income profiles, financial footing and potential storylines that could suit very different risk preferences. To identify the highest conviction ideas for your own portfolio, use Simply Wall St to analyze and filter those results by catalysts such as payout ratios, balance sheet strength and dividend history in the Dividend Stocks screener.

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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.