Your Money Minute – "Dogs of the Dow" (Feb 4, 2026)

Podcast: Your Money Minute
Host: Jessica Ettinger (CNBC)
Expert Guest: Marianne Bartels (Sanctuary Wealth)
Length: 60 seconds

Overview

This quick-fire episode unpacks the concept of the “Dogs of the Dow,” a classic dividend investing strategy. Host Jessica Ettinger, with insight from Marianne Bartels of Sanctuary Wealth, explains how investors can use high-yielding Dow stocks for stability, particularly in a volatile market year.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What are the 'Dogs of the Dow'?

• Definition Clarified:
  • Jessica introduces the term often associated with the worst-performing stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but highlights a key benefit: “But sometimes dogs are good because they pay you dividends.” (A, 00:09)
  • Marianne Bartels adds:

    “Dogs stands for dividend over growth stocks. That right. But then other people think dogs the Dow are just the worst performers. In this particular case, they're not all bad performers, but yes, in this case it would be dividends over. Got it.” (B, 00:22)

  • The “Dogs” strategy focuses on the Dow’s 10 highest-yielding dividend stocks at year-end.

2. Why Consider ‘Dogs’ in 2026?

• Market Context:
  • Marianne lays out her 2026 view:

    “I'm looking for a volatile year. So I'm looking for stability in a portfolio and one of the ways you add stability is through dividend yields.” (B, 00:39)

  • The “Dogs of the Dow” can serve as “ballast” in turbulent times.

3. How the Strategy Works

• Simple Implementation:
  • “One of the old strategies is the dogs of the Dow where you take the top 10 high yielding stocks of the Dow by the end of the year.” (B, 00:47)
• Benefit:
  • Defensive stocks with robust dividend yields can potentially add return and reduce portfolio risk.

4. 2026 Standout ‘Dogs’ Picks

• Highest Yielding Dog:
  • Marianne highlights:

    “The top one is actually, actually Verizon. It's yielding six and a half percent. Not my top pick. I don't think you get a lot of price appreciation, but you can get a great dividend yield.” (B, 01:02)

• Other Notables:
  • “Then you have companies like Chevron, Amgen and Merck. Those are the next highest yielding and they look to actually have some price appreciation as well as having some good dividend yield.” (B, 01:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quotation | |---------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:09 | Jessica Ettinger | “But sometimes dogs are good because they pay you dividends.” | | 00:22 | Marianne Bartels | “Dogs stands for dividend over growth stocks...in this case it would be dividends over.” | | 00:39 | Marianne Bartels | “I'm looking for a volatile year. So I'm looking for stability in a portfolio and one of the ways you add stability is through dividend yields.” | | 00:47 | Marianne Bartels | “One of the old strategies is the dogs of the Dow where you take the top 10 high yielding stocks of the Dow by the end of the year.” | | 01:02 | Marianne Bartels | “The top one is actually, actually Verizon. It's yielding six and a half percent. Not my top pick...but you can get a great dividend yield.” | | 01:10 | Marianne Bartels | “Then you have companies like Chevron, Amgen and Merck. Those are the next highest yielding and they look to actually have some price appreciation as well as having some good dividend yield.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 00:22: Introduction and explanation of the "Dogs of the Dow"
• 00:22 – 00:47: Marianne Bartels clarifies the Dogs strategy and its merits
• 00:47 – 01:02: How to implement the strategy in a volatile 2026 market
• 01:02 – 01:24: Top picks for 2026: Verizon, Chevron, Amgen, Merck
• 01:24 – 01:31: Direct listeners to CNBC.com for more investing tips

Takeaway

This ultra-concise episode gives a timely primer on the Dogs of the Dow strategy: focusing on high-dividend blue chip stocks can lend stability and returns for investors bracing for a turbulent year like 2026. While some “dogs” might lack in price gains, others have both strong dividends and growth potential, making them worthy of a look for defensive portfolios.