These stocks pay between 3.5% and 6.8% in dividends.Whether you're worried about the stock market next year and want some stability, or you're just looking for a way to generate some extra cash, buying dividend stocks in 2026 can be a great idea. Finding dividend stocks isn't hard, but finding quality ones that offer a combination of a high yield, safety, and dividend growth can be a bit more challenging.Three stocks that check off all those boxes and that I think may be among the best dividend investments ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of AI on employment, highlighting a significant reduction in job vacancies in the U.S. from approximately 12.1 million to about 7.7 million, a decline of about 36% since early 2022, coinciding with a 48% total return of the S&P 500 index [1] - It suggests that companies are beginning to view AI not just as a productivity tool but as a strategic lever for workforce restructuring, with a report indicating that by 2026, large enterprises will increasingly adopt this perspective [1] Employment Trends - Major companies like UPS, Amazon, and Verizon have announced significant layoffs, with UPS cutting 48,000 jobs, Amazon reducing 14,000 positions, and Verizon planning to lay off 15,000 employees, indicating that AI is becoming a factor in these decisions [2] - A World Economic Forum survey found that 41% of global companies expect to reduce their workforce due to the rise of AI in the next five years, with layoffs also being justified by slower hiring practices [2] Post-Pandemic Adjustments - Not all layoffs or hiring slowdowns are driven by AI; some reflect broader economic cooling after a post-pandemic hiring surge, while others aim to create a more flexible workforce [4] - Companies are increasingly using layoffs as a means to accelerate employee adaptation to AI rather than solely focusing on employee retraining [4] Future Trends - By 2026, organizations are expected to adopt a more skills-based approach, with high "skills readiness" companies being 12 times more likely to offer training and 6 times more likely to categorize employee skills [5] - Companies are shifting their focus from "how many employees do we need?" to "what work needs to be done and who (or what) is capable of doing it?" [5] AI as a Collaborative Partner - The concept of personal AI "digital twins" is anticipated to become common, where professionals have digital counterparts trained on their workflows and communication styles [6] - This evolution will require new governance, leadership development, and a shift in mindset regarding the relationship between AI and humans, emphasizing trust and collaboration [6] Workforce Flexibility - Leading companies will have more fluid and modular workforces, equipped with systems to match emerging work demands with available capabilities, akin to managing a supply chain [6] - Successful organizations will embrace a dynamic workforce, viewing skills as the operational backbone and AI as a trusted collaborator, ensuring that human elements driving growth and innovation are not sacrificed [7]

Core Insights - US core inflation unexpectedly eased to a four-year low, raising questions among economists about the reliability of the data due to a prior government shutdown [8][14] - ByteDance has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture in the US with majority ownership by American investors [8][14] Market Performance - The A-share market opened lower but closed higher, with the Shanghai Composite Index up 0.16% at 3876.37 points, while the Shenzhen Component fell 1.29% and the ChiNext Index dropped 2.17% [1] - The Hong Kong market also saw fluctuations, with the Hang Seng Index closing up 0.12% at 25498.13 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index fell 0.73% [1][5] Economic Indicators - The US core Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.6% year-on-year in November, while the overall CPI increased by 2.7% [14] - The report indicated that core CPI only increased by 0.2% over the last two months, with declines in hotel, leisure, and clothing prices limiting the overall increase [14] Corporate Developments - TikTok announced the establishment of a joint venture with US investors, which will operate independently and manage US data protection and algorithm security [8][14] - China has reportedly ordered 7 million tons of US soybeans, achieving over half of the procurement target set during the Trump administration [8][14]

Company Performance - Verizon Communications closed at $40.41, reflecting a -1.15% change from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.79% [1] - Prior to the latest trading session, Verizon shares had decreased by 0.75%, which was less than the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 0.85% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings release is expected to show an EPS of $1.06, a decrease of 3.64% compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is forecasted to be $35.92 billion, indicating a growth of 0.66% year-over-year [2] Fiscal Year Projections - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $4.69 per share and revenue at $137.87 billion, representing increases of +2.18% and +2.29% respectively from the prior year [3] Analyst Forecast Revisions - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts are important as they reflect short-term business trends, with upward revisions indicating positive sentiment towards the company's operations [4] Zacks Rank and Valuation - Verizon currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with a recent downward shift of 0.13% in the EPS estimate over the past month [6] - The Forward P/E ratio for Verizon is 8.72, which is below the industry average of 18.33, and the PEG ratio stands at 3.65 compared to the industry average of 1.43 [7] Industry Context - The Wireless National industry, part of the Computer and Technology sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 44, placing it in the top 18% of over 250 industries [8]

Verizon connectivity is now powering autonomous 18 wheelers What you need to know: Kodiak AI offers 24/7 autonomous driver as a service capability using its AI-powered virtual driver in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense applications Verizon is providing 5G telematics and ThingSpace IoT management solutions to help enable Kodiak’s operating model and manage massive amounts of data generated from its driverless trucksWatch the video to see how it works. Key capabilities include came ...

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is included among the 12 Best Dogs of the Dow to Invest in. Verizon (VZ) Partners With Array to Expand 5G Network Northfoto / Shutterstock.com On December 16, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) and Array Digital Infrastructure announced a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Verizon’s 5G network. The deal gives Verizon access to Array’s nationwide tower footprint, helping the carrier expand coverage and deliver a faster, more reliable experience for c ...

Core Viewpoint - Ares Capital and Verizon Communications are highlighted as attractive dividend stocks for income investors, with Ares Capital currently being favored due to its higher dividend yield and favorable growth prospects [1][14]. Ares Capital - Ares Capital boasts an ultra-high dividend yield of 9.5% and has maintained stable or increasing quarterly dividends for 16 consecutive years [3][4]. - The company operates in a total addressable market estimated at approximately $5.4 trillion, with direct lending gaining popularity among borrowers [5]. - Ares Capital has outperformed its peers in terms of annualized total returns with lower volatility since its IPO in 2004 [6][8]. - Recent indications from CEO Kort Schnabel suggest a positive outlook, with an increase in transaction volume under review compared to previous periods [9]. Verizon Communications - Verizon offers a forward dividend yield of 6.8% and has increased its dividend for 19 consecutive years, supported by a rise in free cash flow from $14.5 billion to $15.8 billion year-over-year [10][12]. - Despite facing high competition and subscriber churn, Verizon's business is growing, and the new CEO plans to transform the cost structure for sustainable returns [12][13]. - Verizon is positioned as a leader in developing high-speed 6G technology, which is expected to be available by 2030, potentially enhancing its growth prospects [13]. Comparison - Ares Capital is considered the better dividend stock at the moment due to its higher dividend yield and more favorable growth outlook compared to Verizon [14]. - Both companies are recommended for income investors, allowing for diversification within high-yield dividend stocks [15].

Core Insights - Verizon and AT&T have reported their Q3 results, highlighting their distinct strategies for growth in the telecom sector [1] Company Summaries Verizon - Verizon is pursuing a growth strategy that appears to differ significantly from its competitor, focusing on specific market segments and service offerings [1] AT&T - AT&T's Q3 results indicate a different approach to growth, which may involve broader market engagement and diversification of services [1]

Competitive Landscape - The wireless service industry is witnessing increased competition with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon intensifying their marketing efforts [1] - Explicit customer poaching efforts are being launched by major players in the wireless service industry [1] - Litigation is being pursued within the wireless service industry as part of competitive strategies [1]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications is facing challenges despite its 6.6% dividend yield, which has been described as "sacrosanct" by the CEO, Daniel Schulman. The company has a history of increasing dividends for 19 consecutive years, but the growth has been modest compared to inflation [1][2][10]. Financial Performance - Verizon reported $134.8 billion in revenue for 2024 and serves 146.1 million wireless retail connections, covering 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 99% of the U.S. population with its 4G LTE service [5]. - The company has lost 30% of its market share since 2017 and is now ranked No. 3 in the telecom industry, indicating heightened competition [6]. - In the last quarter, Verizon lost 7,000 postpaid phone customers and laid off 13,000 employees, reflecting dissatisfaction with its performance [7]. Dividend Analysis - Verizon's dividend has increased by only 1.8% this year, which is below the annual inflation rate of 3%. Since 2020, the dividend has grown by 12%, also lagging behind inflation [2][12]. - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share, amounting to $2.92 billion in dividends next quarter, which is less than half of the $7 billion in cash flow from operating activities [10]. - Verizon has paid off $9.4 billion in debt over the last year, which is nearly equivalent to the $11.2 billion paid in dividends for 2024, allowing for potential flexibility in maintaining dividends [11]. Strategic Outlook - The new CEO aims to reclaim network leadership, with some positive indicators such as 306,000 net adds in the broadband segment, totaling 13.2 million subscribers [8]. - Efficiency gains have led to a record $7 billion in free cash flow for the company, marking a 17% year-over-year increase [9]. - While the dividend is expected to remain stable, future hikes may be minimal, making it less appealing for long-term investors due to inflation concerns [12].