4 Dividend Stocks Yielding 4% or More to Buy for Passive Income Right Now

Core Insights - Investing in dividend stocks can provide a growing stream of passive income, with many companies offering yields above the average of 1.5% based on the S&P 500 [1] - Kinder Morgan, Verizon, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, and Agree Realty are highlighted for their attractive dividend yields and consistent growth in payouts [9] Group 1: Kinder Morgan - Kinder Morgan currently yields over 5%, supported by stable cash flow from take-or-pay agreements and hedging contracts [2] - The company has $5.2 billion in high-return expansion projects that will enhance cash flow, and it has a history of increasing dividends for seven consecutive years [3] - Kinder Morgan retains about half of its cash flow for expansion while maintaining a strong balance sheet [2] Group 2: Verizon - Verizon offers a dividend yield exceeding 6% and has achieved 18 consecutive years of dividend growth, the longest in the U.S. telecom sector [4] - The company generated $16.6 billion in operating cash flow in the first half of the year, covering capital expenses and dividend payments comfortably [4] - Verizon's acquisition of Frontier for $20 billion is expected to bolster its fiber business and free cash flow, supporting future dividend growth [5] Group 3: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners - Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a dividend yield approaching 5% and plans to grow its payout by 5% to 9% annually [6] - The company has a strong track record of increasing dividends for 15 consecutive years, supported by stable cash flow and growth drivers [6] - Brookfield Infrastructure expects over 10% annual FFO-per-share growth due to inflation escalators, volume growth, and acquisitions [6] Group 4: Agree Realty - Agree Realty currently yields 4% and has grown its dividend at a compound annual rate of 5.7% over the last decade [8] - The REIT focuses on high-quality retail tenants, with nearly 70% of rent coming from investment-grade tenants [8] - Agree Realty has a strong balance sheet and a significant growth runway, with a large total addressable market opportunity [8]