2 High-Yield Dividend Stocks to Buy Now Amid the U.S.-Iran War

Energy Market Impact - The United States-Iran conflict has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint that typically carries about one-third of global seaborne crude and roughly one-fifth of the world's LNG [1] - Asian countries, including China, India, and Thailand, are experiencing rising fuel costs and energy security concerns due to delays and rerouting of cargoes, which are now priced at a premium [1] Equity Market Response - The spike in energy prices and the risk of a prolonged conflict are influencing equity markets, with increasing concerns about a potential supply shock in the Gulf [2] - J.P. Morgan has upgraded two high-yield oil stocks, anticipating that their global production and balanced portfolios will benefit from the current market conditions [2] High-Yield Dividend Stocks - Eni S.p.A. is highlighted as a high-yield dividend stock, with a market capitalization of approximately $78.1 billion and a forward annual dividend of $1.67 per share, yielding around 3.5% [4] - Eni's stock is trading near $46.79, reflecting a year-to-date gain of about 23.3% and a 52-week increase of roughly 66.5% [4] Financial Performance - Eni's shares are trading at about 13.6 times trailing earnings and 1.29 times book value, both below sector medians, indicating a discount [6] - The company's fourth-quarter 2025 report showed adjusted earnings of $0.87 per ADR, surpassing consensus estimates by approximately 11.5%, indicating better-than-expected profitability [7] - Quarterly revenue was reported at about $24.4 billion, with a year-on-year sales increase of roughly 1.8%, although net income for the period was approximately $105 million, significantly down from the previous year [8]