Top UK Dividend Stocks To Consider In May 2026

As the FTSE 100 index faces downward pressure due to weak trade data from China, investors in the UK market are navigating a challenging landscape marked by global economic uncertainties. In such conditions, dividend stocks can offer a measure of stability and income potential, making them an attractive consideration for those looking to weather market volatility.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United Kingdom

Click here to see the full list of 43 stocks from our Top UK Dividend Stocks screener.

Let’s take a closer look at a couple of our picks from the screened companies.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: Helios Underwriting plc, along with its subsidiaries, offers limited liability investments for shareholders in the Lloyd’s insurance market in the UK and has a market cap of £145.87 million.

Operations: Helios Underwriting plc, through its subsidiaries, operates within the Lloyd’s insurance market in the UK by providing limited liability investment opportunities for shareholders.

Dividend Yield: 468.4%

Helios Underwriting’s dividend yield is among the highest in the UK market, but its sustainability is questionable due to a high cash payout ratio and unreliable, volatile payments over the past decade. Despite dividends being well covered by earnings with a low payout ratio of 24.2%, recent significant insider selling raises concerns. The company reported an increase in net income for 2025 and announced potential share buybacks worth £6.8 million, possibly enhancing shareholder value.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: Mears Group plc, with a market cap of £358.76 million, provides outsourced services to both the public and private sectors in the United Kingdom through its subsidiaries.

Operations: Mears Group plc generates its revenue through two main segments: Management (£515.02 million) and Maintenance (£620.44 million).

Dividend Yield: 4.2%

Mears Group’s dividend payments have been volatile over the past decade, yet they are well covered by earnings and cash flows, with a payout ratio of 31.4% and a cash payout ratio of 22.9%. Recent contract awards totaling over €440 million may bolster revenue streams despite an expected decline in earnings. The company announced a 9% increase in its final dividend for fiscal year 2025, reflecting ongoing commitment to shareholder returns amidst strategic acquisitions and share buybacks.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: Pollen Street Group, headquartered in London and founded in 2015, operates as a financial services company with a market capitalization of approximately £494.35 million.

Operations: Pollen Street Group generates revenue primarily through its Asset Manager segment, contributing £81.08 million, and its Investment Company segment, which adds £62.65 million.

Dividend Yield: 7.0%

Pollen Street Group’s dividend payments, although volatile over the past decade, are supported by earnings and cash flows with payout ratios of 61.9% and 74%, respectively. Recent financial results show revenue growth to £134.52 million and net income increase to £56.57 million for 2025. The company declared an increased total dividend of 58 pence per share for the year, underscoring its position in the top quartile of UK dividend payers.

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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.

Companies discussed in this article include AIM:HUW LSE:MER and LSE:POLN.

This article was originally published by Simply Wall St.

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