Zero Debt, High Dividend: India's Top 3 Stocks for 2026 Watchlist
Overview
Discover three fundamentally strong Indian companies poised for stability and steady returns. Coal India, Castrol India, and ITC Ltd. maintain virtually zero debt while consistently delivering high dividends, making them compelling additions to your 2026 investment watchlist.
Coal India Dominates Coal Production, Eyes Renewable Growth
Coal India Ltd., the world's largest coal producer, commands over 80% of India's domestic output. The 'Maharatna' company has consistently paid dividends since its 2010 listing, offering a 6.2% yield in FY25. Its dividend payout ratio increased to 46.19% in FY25, even as net profit dipped slightly to ₹35,302 crore from ₹37,369 crore in FY24. Maintaining a debt-to-equity ratio below 0.1 since FY22, Coal India is diversifying into renewables with a 500 MW solar project and a new subsidiary, CIL Rajasthan Akshay Urja Limited.
Castrol India Pivots to EVs and Data Centers
Lubricant manufacturer Castrol India Ltd. has a remarkable dividend history, paying consistently since 2000. Despite being a small-cap, it offers a 4.5% dividend yield. For 2024, its dividend payout ratio reached 139%, with a dividend per share of ₹13. The company operates with virtually no debt, a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04 in 2024. Beyond its core auto lubricant business, Castrol is developing EV transmission fluids and exploring liquid immersion cooling for data centers.
ITC Ltd. Navigates Tax Hikes with Diversified Portfolio
ITC Ltd. remains a stable dividend payer for over 25 years, boasting a 4.2% dividend yield. Its balance sheet is nearly debt-free, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01 as of FY25. While sales dipped slightly in Q2FY26 to ₹19,502 crore from ₹19,990 crore, net profit rose to ₹5,187 crore. The company faces a new excise duty structure for tobacco products effective February 1, 2026, which could impact cigarette demand. However, its diversified FMCG, agri-business, and paperboard segments offer resilience.
