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Special Report
3 Dividend Stocks Defying the Market Downturn Amid the Iran ConflictReported by Nathan Reiff. Published: 4/3/2026. 
Key Points
- While the S&P has dropped modestly since the start of the Iran war, some individual standouts have risen over the last month or so.
- Crescent Energy and Viper Energy are two lesser-known stocks in the energy sector with potential to stand out thanks to their domestic operations.
- Unum Group is unrelated to the conflict as a disability and life insurer, but it still draws interest for its dividend strength and growth potential.
- Special Report: Elon Musk’s $1 Quadrillion AI IPO
The S&P 500 has fallen nearly 5% over the past month—about the same period since the U.S. conflict with Iran began—yet some stocks have bucked the trend. Certain industries—airlines, for example—have been hit particularly hard amid anticipated service disruptions and higher energy costs. Still, some companies, including dividend payers, may have room to run despite the market headwinds. Investors seeking momentum plus passive income might consider names like Crescent Energy Co. (NYSE: CRGY), Viper Energy Partners LP (NASDAQ: VNOM), and Unum Group (NYSE: UNM). Crescent Energy's Domestic Position Wins Analyst Support
For a moment…
Forget about Trump’s ties to Israel.
Forget about reports of Iran’s nuclear program.
Because my research has led me to believe we’re risking World War 3 with Iran for a completely different reason. Click here to find out what it is.
Higher oil prices may benefit some energy companies—the benchmark Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA: XLE) is up more than 3% in the past month—but the Iran conflict does not guarantee success for any individual firm. Crescent Energy, a Permian Basin-focused exploration company, has emerged as a Wall Street favorite. Since the start of the conflict, it has received a ratings upgrade from JPMorgan Chase, boosted price targets from Wells Fargo and Piper Sandler, and additional reiterated Buy-equivalent ratings from other firms. Analysts point to Crescent's domestic shale operations, which could be essential if oil shipments from the Middle East decline. Its fiscal stability and geographic focus position it to stand out during turbulent times. Any benefits from higher oil prices would add to Crescent's recent strong performance. In the latest quarter, the company increased production to about 268,000 BOE/d and generated roughly $239 million in levered free cash flow. With annual cash flow from its royalties business expected to be at least $160 million, Crescent could scale into a larger domestic player. Its dividend yield of about 2.5% is an added benefit that becomes easier to maintain as cash flow expands. Viper's Royalty Focus Sets it Apart in the Energy SectorViper Energy is a royalties company—it holds royalty and mineral fee interests rather than producing oil directly. Like Crescent, Viper concentrates on the Permian Basin, giving it an advantage over non-domestic peers. Viper has also seen several analyst actions in recent weeks, including higher price targets, bringing the company's consensus price target to $52.60, roughly 15% above current trading levels. While the royalty model can limit upside because it provides indirect exposure to commodity prices, it also helps shield the company from operational risks. In a period of volatile production costs and commodity swings, Viper's lower-risk profile may appeal to investors. Activity over the last year has positioned Viper well for 2026: in 2025, the company acquired roughly $8 billion of mineral interests while also strengthening its balance sheet. The result is a dividend yield near 3.3% and a substantial new share repurchase program. Big Growth Possible for an Insurer Separate From the Iran WarStanding out as the sole non-energy company on this list is Unum Group, a life and disability insurer that has been relatively insulated from the Iran conflict. As broader financial stocks weakened, Unum's fundamentals drew attention compared with its peers. Management expects earnings per share (EPS) growth of 8%–12% and core operations growth of 4%–7% year over year for 2026. Combined with sustained profitability and shareholder returns—including a dividend yield of 2.49% and nearly two decades of consistent dividend increases—it's easy to see why analysts favor the stock. Analysts also see upside near 30%, which may appeal to investors seeking growth that isn't directly tied to geopolitical developments. |
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