Core Insights - High Yield Investor is celebrating its fifth anniversary by offering a 30-day money-back guarantee, encouraging new memberships and the release of their Top Picks for 2026 [1] Company Overview - Samuel Smith, a lead analyst and Vice President at various dividend stock research firms, leads the High Yield Investor group, which focuses on balancing safety, growth, yield, and value in investment strategies [1] - The High Yield Investor group provides real-money core, retirement, and international portfolios, along with regular trade alerts, educational content, and an active chat room for investors [1] Investment Strategy - The article discusses the common perception among investors that there is a trade-off between yield and growth, as well as quality and total return potential, particularly among younger investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - Brookfield Renewable Corporation and Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. have initiated an "at the market" equity issuance program to offer up to $400 million of class A exchangeable subordinate voting shares, aimed at facilitating repurchases of non-voting limited partnership units and for general corporate purposes [1][2]. Group 1: ATM Program Overview - The ATM Program allows Brookfield Renewable to sell BEPC Shares at prevailing market prices through various exchanges, providing flexibility to issue shares when market conditions are favorable [4]. - The program is expected to be non-dilutive, maintaining the overall number of LP Units and BEPC Shares outstanding, despite potential temporary fluctuations during the issuance and repurchase process [3]. Group 2: Financial and Legal Framework - The BEPC Shares will be offered under a distribution agreement with Canadian and U.S. agents, and the program will terminate upon the earlier of the sale of all shares, termination of the agreement, or February 24, 2027 [6]. - The ATM Program is supported by a Canadian prospectus supplement and a U.S. prospectus supplement, which have been filed in accordance with applicable securities laws [7]. Group 3: Company Profile - Brookfield Renewable operates one of the largest publicly traded platforms for renewable power, with a diverse portfolio including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and sustainable solutions [10]. - The company is part of Brookfield Asset Management, which manages over $1 trillion in assets, highlighting its significant position in the renewable energy sector [11].

Core Insights - High yields are prevalent in the energy sector, but achieving dividend growth presents significant challenges [1] Group 1 - The energy market offers numerous opportunities for high yields, indicating a strong return potential for investors [1] - Dividend growth within the energy sector is not as readily available, suggesting a disparity between yield and growth potential [1]

Group 1 - Artificial intelligence (AI) is a significant technological advancement, with companies competing to develop AI and the necessary infrastructure to support it [1] - AI relies on powerful computer chips, which are produced by companies like Nvidia, but these chips need to be housed in data centers that require reliable electricity [2][3] - There is a construction boom in the data center space, but the risk of overbuilding exists, similar to the internet boom, which could lead to lower costs for AI usage as supply exceeds demand [4][5] Group 2 - Brookfield Renewable has established partnerships with major companies like Microsoft and Alphabet's Google to provide clean energy for their AI infrastructure [6] - The company is positioned as a leader in the clean energy sector, with a diverse portfolio that includes hydroelectric, solar, wind, storage, and nuclear energy across multiple regions [8] - Brookfield Renewable serves as a comprehensive solution for companies seeking reliable power sources to support their AI needs [7][8]

Group 1: Bank of Nova Scotia - Bank of Nova Scotia, also known as Scotiabank, is one of the largest banks in Canada, operating under strict Canadian banking regulations that provide it with a protected market position [4] - The bank has a dividend yield of 4.2%, significantly higher than the average U.S. bank yield of 2.5%, attributed to its past investments in Central and South America which did not perform as expected [5] - Management is revamping its strategy by exiting less desirable markets and focusing on the Mexico, U.S., and Canada trading block, including a partnership and acquisition of approximately 15% of KeyCorp [6] Group 2: Brookfield Renewable Partners - Brookfield Renewable Partners is positioned as a leader in the clean energy sector, with a dividend yield of 5.3%, benefiting from the global transition from carbon-based energy to cleaner alternatives [8] - The company is expected to have significant long-term growth opportunities as the world continues to build out the necessary clean energy infrastructure [9] Group 3: Enbridge - Enbridge is identified as a North American midstream company with a dividend yield of 5.7%, contributing to a diversified investment portfolio [8]

Group 1 - Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. plans to redeem all outstanding Class A Preferred Limited Partnership Units, Series 7, for cash on January 31, 2026, at a redemption price of C$25.00 per unit, totaling C$175 million funded from available liquidity [1] - Holders of Series 7 Preferred Units as of January 15, 2026, will receive a final quarterly distribution of C$0.34375 per unit [1] Group 2 - Brookfield Renewable operates one of the largest publicly traded platforms for renewable power, with a diverse portfolio including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and storage facilities, as well as investments in nuclear services and carbon capture [2] - The company is part of Brookfield Asset Management, which manages over $1 trillion in assets [4]

Group 1 - Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. plans to redeem all outstanding Class A Preferred Limited Partnership Units, Series 7, for cash on January 31, 2026, at a redemption price of C$25.00 per unit, totaling C$175 million funded from available liquidity [1] - Holders of Series 7 Preferred Units of record as of January 15, 2026, will receive a final quarterly distribution of C$0.34375 per unit [1] Group 2 - Brookfield Renewable operates one of the largest publicly traded platforms for renewable power, with a diverse portfolio including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and storage facilities [2] - The company also invests in sustainable solutions such as nuclear services, carbon capture, agricultural renewable natural gas, materials recycling, and eFuels manufacturing [2] - Brookfield Renewable is the flagship listed renewable power and transition company of Brookfield Asset Management, which manages over $1 trillion in assets [4]

Group 1 - Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. plans to redeem all outstanding Class A Preferred Limited Partnership Units, Series 7, for cash on January 31, 2026, at a redemption price of C$25.00 per unit, totaling C$175 million funded from available liquidity [1] - Holders of Series 7 Preferred Units of record as of January 15, 2026, will receive a final quarterly distribution of C$0.34375 per unit [1] Group 2 - Brookfield Renewable operates one of the largest publicly traded platforms for renewable power, with a diverse portfolio including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and storage facilities [2] - The company also invests in sustainable solutions such as nuclear services, carbon capture, agricultural renewable natural gas, materials recycling, and eFuels manufacturing [2] - Brookfield Renewable is the flagship listed renewable power and transition company of Brookfield Asset Management, which manages over $1 trillion in assets [4]

Core Viewpoint - In a low-yielding environment, several companies are prioritizing dividend payments, offering significantly higher yields compared to the S&P 500's record low of around 1.1% [1][2]. Company Summaries - **Ares Capital**: Offers a 9.6% dividend yield, focusing on debt and equity investments in private middle-market companies. The company has maintained a stable to growing dividend for 16 years and committed to invest $3.9 billion in new and existing portfolio companies during Q3 [4][5]. - **Brookfield Renewable Partners**: Currently yields 5.5%, significantly higher than its corporate counterpart. The company generates steady cash flow through long-term power purchase agreements and plans to increase its dividend by 5% to 9% annually [7][8]. - **Energy Transfer**: Provides an 8.2% yielding distribution, operating a diversified platform of energy midstream assets. The company plans to invest $5.2 billion in growth projects in 2026, supporting a projected annual payout increase of 3% to 5% [9][11]. - **Starwood Capital**: Yields 10.4% and has diversified its portfolio beyond floating-rate commercial mortgages to include residential and infrastructure lending. The recent acquisition of Fundamental Income Properties for $2.2 billion aims to enhance dividend sustainability [12][13]. - **Vici Properties**: Offers a 6.5% yield, investing in high-quality properties secured by long-term net leases. The REIT has grown its dividend at a 6.6% compound annual rate since 2018 and has announced a $1.2 billion sale-leaseback transaction to support future growth [16][17]. Investment Opportunity - Companies like Brookfield Renewable, Energy Transfer, Ares Capital, Starwood Capital, and Vici Properties are highlighted as strong dividend stocks for 2026, backed by sustainable financial profiles and prioritizing shareholder payouts [18].

Core Insights - Leading AI companies are collaborating with power producers to meet their substantial energy needs, with a projected investment of $5.2 trillion required by 2030 for data centers capable of handling AI processing loads [1][2] Group 1: Energy Companies and Collaborations - NextEra Energy is a key player in the energy sector, owning the largest electric utility in the U.S. and has become a preferred partner for technology companies to support their AI strategies [4][5] - NextEra Energy has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Google to supply power from the Duane Arnold Energy Center, which is set to return to service in Q1 2029 [5] - Brookfield Renewable is a leading global renewable energy producer, having signed a historic Hydro Framework Agreement with Google for up to 3 GW of carbon-free hydroelectric power [10][11] Group 2: Major Power Deals - Brookfield Renewable's agreement with Google includes two 20-year power purchase agreements worth over $3 billion, covering hydroelectric facilities with a combined capacity of 670 megawatts [11] - Brookfield Renewable has also established a five-year agreement with Microsoft to develop over 10.5 GW of new renewable energy capacity, significantly larger than previous corporate agreements [12] - The potential for future collaborations between Brookfield and Microsoft extends to regions such as Asia-Pacific, India, and Latin America, as well as new carbon-free energy sources [13] Group 3: Future Outlook - Both NextEra Energy and Brookfield Renewable possess the capacity to meet the increasing power demands of AI, positioning them as essential partners for major tech companies [15] - The partnerships formed with tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft are expected to provide robust returns for investors in these energy companies in the coming years [15]