We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

3 FTSE 100 stocks to target big passive income

A rocky few months for the FTSE 100 has bumped dividend payouts up. Can these three stocks give me big passive income payments for a decade or more?

| More on:
Number three written on white chat bubble on blue background

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

FTSE 100 stocks are a fantastic way for me to receive a passive income. 

Around 95% of stocks on the index pay some kind of dividend. And the average of 3.75% is over double the US S&P 500 at 1.66%. 

XXX

But I don’t want to invest in any old firm, I want the passive income cream of the crop. So how would I find them?

Well, I’m going to use these questions to find three of the best FTSE 100 income payers. 

  1. Does the company have a strong history of dividend payments?
  2. Is the current share price reasonable?
  3. Are the prospects good for the future?

Insurance and financial services firm Legal & General (LSE: LGEN) paid an 8.19% dividend last year. 

At present, that’s a top-five FTSE 100 payout and would mean a £12,210 stake returns £1,000 a year.

Investors received payments even through the pandemic. Although, being in finance, they were cut after 2008. A repeat of those financial problems would be a risk here.

The £2.30 share price looks good value though, because it’s as cheap as it was in 2014. And a price-to-earnings ratio of around 6 is comfortably less than the FTSE 100 average of 14.

Looking ahead, I like that the firm’s products are extremely defensive. Through hell or high water, I think people will continue to buy insurance. 

I own shares here already, and I’m confident I’ll receive a passive income from them for years to come.

Kingfisher

Retailer Kingfisher (LSE: KGF) offers a 5.19% dividend return right now.

If I bought into the owners of chains like B&Q or Screwfix, I’d receive a £1,000 yearly passive income via a £19,267 stake from those dividends. 

The £2.36 share price is as cheap as it was in the 1990s. This is despite the firm adding billions to its top line in the decades since. 

A weak economy would impact Kingfisher as people would have less spare cash to spend in its stores. But sales are resilient, and it looks like the UK will swerve the predicted recession. 

The firm is even eyeing up a further 85 more stores for the 2023/24 financial year. 

I don’t own shares here yet, but I will look at opening a position soon for the passive income potential.

Vodafone

Vodafone (LSE: VOD) makes billions through its mobile networks across Europe, Asia and Africa. 

Its huge cash flows give it the highest dividend on the Footsie at 10.23%. A £1,000 return over the year would need £9,775 worth of shares. 

The firm’s share price falling below £1 has bumped that dividend higher recently. 

A share now costs only 76p which makes a bargain basement P/E ratio of roughly 2. The forward P/E looks more expensive though at around 9. 

The company’s vast infrastructure provides it with an economic moat against rivals. But risks here do include high debt and lack of growth opportunities. 

Still, I think it’s one to add to my portfolio sooner rather than later.

John Fieldsend has positions in Legal & General Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Vodafone Group Public. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »