Top Wall Street analysts recommend these dividend stocks for enhanced returns

In this article WMB ET MPLXP WSM Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT The Williams Companies logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Fears about AI-led disruption in sectors like software and financials, along with geopolitical tensions, continue to impact the U.S. stock market. Despite the ongoing volatility, investors seeking enhanced returns can bolster their portfolios by adding attractive dividend stocks. In this regard, insights from top Wall Street analysts can help investors shortlist stocks of dividend-paying companies that have the ability to consistently generate strong cash flows to support dividends. Here are three dividend-paying stocks that are highlighted by Wall Street's top pros, as tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance. Williams Cos. Midstream energy company Williams is this week's first dividend pick. The energy infrastructure provider recently increased its quarterly dividend by 5% to 52.5 cents per share. At an annualized dividend of $2.10 per share, WMB stock offers a yield of 2.84%. Impressed by the company's recently held Analyst Day event, Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith reiterated a buy rating on WMB stock and increased his price target to $81 from $78. Interestingly, TipRanks' AI Analyst is also bullish on WMB stock with an outperform rating and a price target of $75. Smith believes that given Williams' push into behind-the-meter power generation, the company is no longer just a traditional pipeline and gathering & processing (G&P) midstream operator. The 5-star analyst is confident about the company's ability to generate about a 12% to 13% EBITDA CAGR (compound annual growth rate) through 2030, with over 10% growth potential through the early 2030s. In particular, Smith's optimism about the durability of Williams' growth is backed by the potential f...