3 Dividend Stocks That Don't Care Whether Oil Is $70 or $100

The modern world isn't possible without energy, so every investor should probably have some exposure to the energy sector. The sector, however, is largely commodity-driven and highly volatile. But there is one niche of the broader energy sector that doesn't care if oil prices are $70 or $100: the Midstream. Here's why Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), and Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) can reliably support yields of up to 6.7% regardless of what oil prices are doing.

Oil prices aren't doing anything unusual today

Oil prices are over $100 per barrel as of this writing. The cost of filling up your car with gas can be a bit of a shock, and is a very real example of the impact that high oil prices have on the economy. But if you look back at history, high oil prices aren't exactly unusual. The energy sector is known for its volatility, driven by factors such as geopolitical events, supply and-demand dynamics, industry disasters, natural disasters, and extreme weather.

While today's high prices are unwelcome and a shock to the wallet, such volatility is normal in the energy sector. You can sidestep much of that volatility, however, by being selective about the dividend stocks you buy in the energy sector. The midstream segment of the broader industry is largely a toll-taker business, generating reliable fees to support robust dividends. It connects the upstream (oil drillers) to the downstream (chemical and refining) and to the rest of the world. In the midstream, demand for the services that pipelines, storage, and transportation assets provide is more important than energy prices.

3 high-yield midstream businesses to look at today

One of the best options in the midstream is master limited partnership Enterprise Products Partners. It has a 6% yield and has increased its distribution annually for 28 years. That's basically as long as Enterprise has been publicly traded. Although it serves a broad range of energy customers, conservatively run MLP has a strong focus on natural gas, an increasingly important fuel in the utility sector. With capital spending plans of $6.5 billion, Enterprise is leaning into demand to build more fee-generating assets to drive its slow and steady growth.

Enbridge is another solid choice, with a yield of roughly 6% and a dividend streak of 31 years. However, it is a bit unique in the midstream sector because its portfolio is broadly diversified. It owns material oil and natural gas pipeline assets, but it also operates regulated natural gas utilities and a small portfolio of renewable energy assets. All of its businesses generate reliable cash flows. That said, it tends to carry more leverage than other midstream operators because of the regulated utility assets it operates. On the positive side, the non-midstream assets add diversification, which will likely make Enbridge particularly interesting to risk-averse dividend investors.

Energy Transfer tops this list on yield, with a distribution yield of 6.7%. Distributable cash flow covered the distribution by over 2x in the second quarter of 2026, which is very strong. But that has to be juxtaposed against the fact that Energy Transfer cut its distribution in 2020, using the freed-up cash to reduce leverage. It was something of a business reset, with the company shifting toward a slow-and-steady growth profile. The distribution is growing again and is above its level prior to the cut. For more aggressive types, Energy Transfer's lofty yield could be of interest.

Three strong options for dividend investors

If you know you should have energy exposure in your portfolio, but just can't stomach the volatility of oil prices, the midstream is the place to be. With yields of up to 6.7%, Enterprise, Enbridge, and Energy Transfer are leading North American midstream businesses built on fee-producing infrastructure assets rather than commodities. Each has its own nuances to dig into, but all three are worth a close look regardless of how much volatile oil costs on any given day.

Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Enbridge. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.