Boost portfolio income in the second half of 2026 with these cheap dividend payers

Boost portfolio income in the second half of 2026 with these cheap dividend payers frames a strategy for sustaining portfolio income by focusing on lower-cost dividend stocks amid market volatility. The article cites CNBC and ClearBridge Investments portfolio manager Michael Clarfeld, while noting veteran investor Jeremy Grantham’s comment that U.S. markets are the most expensive in American history. CNBC Pro screened holdings within the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF for companies with dividend yields of at least 1.5%, buy ratings from 55% or more of analysts, price targets at least 20% above current trading, and shares down at least 5% over the past three months. It highlights Abbott Laboratories, with a 2.7% yield and nearly 10% decline in three months, plus 23% upside to the average price target and 79% buy ratings. It also cites Accenture with a 5.2% yield, about 35% decline over three months, and a 40% upside to the average price target, alongside a third-quarter earnings beat followed by a sell-off. Accenture’s buyback authorization was increased by $2 billion to $7.5 billion.