Is It Time to Buy These 3 Tariff-Proof Dividend Stocks?

The Trump administration's proposed tariffs on some of America's largest trading partners drove many investors away from companies that rely heavily on imports, exports, and other types of cross-border commerce. It also drove them toward tariff-proof companies that wouldn't be significantly affected by those levies.

Many of those resilient stocks aren't high-growth plays, but a lot of them are reliable stalwarts that trade at low valuations while doling out attractive dividends. Let's take a look at three tariff-proof dividend stocks that still look attractive in this unpredictable market: Altria (NYSE: MO), Verizon (NYSE: VZ), and Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB).

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1. Altria

Altria, the largest tobacco company in America, spun off its overseas business as Philip Morris International back in 2008. Altria's flagship Marlboro brand and other brands controlled 45.9% of the U.S. retail cigarette market in 2024. It also sells cigars, snus, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco capsules, and other products.

Altria might initially seem like a wobbly investment, since adult smoking rates in the U.S. have been dropping for decades. However, the company has consistently offset that pressure by raising its prices, cutting costs, and buying back more shares to boost its earnings per share (EPS). It's also been expanding its smokeless portfolio to curb its long-term dependence on cigarettes.

Analysts expect Altria's adjusted EPS to grow 4% in 2025 and 3% in 2026. That growth should be driven by the expansion of its Njoy e-cigarette business, On nicotine pouches, and ongoing price hikes and cost-cutting strategies. The stock still looks cheap at 11 times forward earnings, and it pays a hefty forward dividend yield of 7.1%. It's raised its payout annually since 2008.

Altria is naturally insulated from higher tariffs because it does nearly all of its business in America. Even if inflation stays sticky and interest rates remain elevated, its higher dividend yield should continue to lock in more income-oriented investors.

2. Verizon

Verizon, one of the largest telecom companies in America, is another tariff-proof play because it generates most of its profits from its wireless and wireline services. It doesn't need to buy and sell products from overseas markets like China.

In 2023, Verizon faced major challenges as it struggled to gain new wireless customers and repeatedly slashed its prices to stay competitive. But in 2024, it more than doubled its postpaid phone net additions as its total wireless churn rate declined to 1.62%. It attributed that recovery to the localization of its incentives and marketing campaigns, the expansion of its customizable "myPlans," and the growth of its distribution business with Walmart. Verizon still relied on big promotions to attract new customers, but it also aggressively cut its costs to offset that pressure.

Analysts expect Verizon's adjusted EPS to grow 2% in 2025 and 4% in 2026. Its stock trades at just 9 times forward earnings, and it pays an attractive forward yield of 6.1%. It's raised its payout annually for 18 consecutive years. That low valuation and high yield should make it a popular safe haven stock, regardless of what happens with the tariffs.

3. Chubb Limited

Chubb, the largest publicly traded provider of property, supplemental, health, and casualty insurance policies, is another tariff-proof stock. Tariffs won't directly affect insurance companies because they don't import or export any products.

Even if the tariffs throttle the growth of the broader economy, most individuals won't cancel their insurance policies to save a few dollars. Instead, it becomes even more crucial to hold reliable policies as a hedge against financial ruin.

Chubb's core operating income per share (excluding any tax benefits) rose 30% in 2023 and grew another 13% in 2024. Its consolidated net premiums increased 13.5% in 2023 and 8.7% in 2024, even as the macro headwinds rattled many other sectors. Analysts expect its core operating income per share to dip 6% in 2025 but rise 22% in 2026.

Chubb currently trades at just 14 times forward earnings. The company pays a decent forward dividend yield of 1.2%, and it's raised its payout for 32 consecutive years. It isn't an exciting investment, but it's a Buffett-approved stock that should easily weather higher tariffs, protracted inflation, high interest rates, and other nasty macro headwinds.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of March 24, 2025

Leo Sun has positions in Altria Group and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Philip Morris International and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.