Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications Inc. is recognized as a strong candidate for dividend-focused retirement portfolios, bolstered by consistent dividend increases and a positive outlook for future growth [2][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Verizon reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings and raised its full-year guidance, enhancing investor confidence in its growth and shareholder return balance [2]. - The company has achieved its 19th consecutive year of dividend increases, the longest streak in the US telecom sector, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [3]. Group 2: Dividend Information - Verizon currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 6.35% as of September 21 [4]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The company is investing in the transition to 5G technology, which is expected to provide faster data speeds and support future growth [3]. - Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications in 2024 aims to expand its fiber network, further supporting earnings growth [3].

General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is included among the Best Retirement Stocks for a Dividend Stock Portfolio. Adding Stability to a Dividend Stock Portfolio with General Mills (GIS) General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is a leading packaged-food company, with a broad portfolio of brands that makes it an important partner for grocery retailers around the world. Its capabilities in marketing, product innovation, and distribution allow it to compete effectively with other major players in the industry. General Mil ...

Core Insights - Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) is recognized as one of the best natural gas and oil dividend stocks to invest in currently [1] - The company has demonstrated strong financial performance, generating $141 million in adjusted free cash flow in Q2 2025, with 92% allocated to shareholder returns [2] - Chord has successfully reduced its share count by approximately 10% since acquiring Enerplus last year [2] - A quarterly dividend of $1.3 per share was declared last month, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [2] - The company has improved its operational efficiency, reducing FY 2025 capital expenditures by $50 million compared to the original budget [3] - Chord's free cash flow outlook has improved by 20% since February, reflecting positive operational performance [3] - The company operates as a scaled unconventional US oil producer with a strong position in the Williston Basin, focusing on the acquisition, exploitation, development, and exploration of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids [4]

Key Points VICI Properties' real estate portfolio produces very stable and steadily rising rental income. The REIT has many growth drivers. It should be able to continue increasing its high-yielding dividend for years to come. 10 stocks we like better than Vici Properties › Shares of VICI Properties (NYSE: VICI) are currently down about 6.5% from their 52-week high. That slump comes at a time when the stock market has been soaring and is near an all-time high. That dip appears to be a buying opp ...

Group 1 - Verizon Communications Inc. is recognized for its steady business model and attractive dividend yield, making it a strong candidate for dividend stock portfolios [2][4] - In Q2, Verizon added 300,000 net mobile and broadband subscribers, with revenue increasing by 5.2% year over year to $34.5 billion, and earnings per share rising from $1.09 to $1.18 [3] - The company declared a 1.8% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.69 per share, marking its 19th consecutive year of dividend growth, with a current dividend yield of 6.31% as of September 18 [4] Group 2 - Verizon sold its portfolio of over 6,300 wireless towers for $3.3 billion to Vertical Bridge, while retaining its role as the anchor tenant on those sites [3]

Core Viewpoint - Pfizer offers a high dividend yield of 6.8%, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 1.2%, raising questions about the sustainability of this yield given its high payout ratio of around 90% [2][4]. Financial Metrics - Pfizer's payout ratio is approximately 90%, indicating a potential risk to dividend sustainability [4]. - The company's free cash flow for the trailing 12 months was $12.4 billion, exceeding the $9.6 billion paid out in dividends, suggesting the dividend is safe [6]. - In the most recent quarter, Pfizer reported revenue growth of 10% year-over-year, with sales reaching $14.7 billion and diluted earnings per share of $0.51, which is higher than the quarterly dividend payment of $0.43 [9]. Strategic Developments - Pfizer is actively working to reduce costs while expanding operations, including a significant $43 billion acquisition of oncology company Seagen in 2023, which is expected to create new opportunities [8]. - The company is adapting to declining demand for its COVID-19 vaccine and pill while continuing to focus on cost reduction [9]. Market Position - Despite a 5% decline in stock price year-to-date, Pfizer's financials do not indicate any immediate concerns regarding its dividend [7][10]. - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 13, suggesting it is relatively cheap compared to its earnings potential [10].

Company Overview - MGIC Investment (MTG) is a mortgage insurance company headquartered in Milwaukee, with a price change of 11.6% so far this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.13 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.27%, which is higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.92% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.51% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of MGIC Investment is $0.60, reflecting a 22.4% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, MGIC has increased its dividend 4 times year-over-year, achieving an average annual increase of 20.17% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 17%, indicating that it paid out 17% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MGIC Investment's earnings in 2025 is $2.97 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 2.06% [5] - The company is viewed as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6]

Core Viewpoint - Wendy's has recently cut its dividend by 44%, but the stock still offers a yield above the S&P 500 average, potentially making it an underrated income stock for investors [2][11]. Dividend Changes - Wendy's reduced its quarterly dividend from $0.25 to $0.14, resulting in an annual payout of $0.56 per share [4]. - The new dividend payout ratio is approximately 74% of earnings, which appears sustainable given the current earnings levels [5][10]. Financial Performance - In the first quarter of 2025, Wendy's reported diluted earnings per share of $0.19, down by $0.01 year over year [5]. - The company has experienced a 35% decline in stock price since the beginning of the year, attributed to the dividend cut and disappointing sales results [6]. Market Valuation - Wendy's stock is currently trading at 11 times its trailing earnings, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 25 times [8]. - The stock is near its 52-week low, indicating a potentially undervalued position in the market [8]. Investment Outlook - Despite recent challenges, Wendy's remains a leading fast-food chain, and the current low valuation combined with a sustainable dividend yield of 5.2% presents a contrarian investment opportunity [9][11]. - There is a belief that the market has overreacted to Wendy's recent performance, suggesting that the stock could be a good long-term investment if financial conditions stabilize [12].

Core Insights - Investors are encouraged by recent earnings reports from Verizon and American Express, with Verizon raising earnings guidance for the latter half of 2025 and American Express achieving record second-quarter revenue [1][2] Group 1: Verizon - Verizon has raised its dividend payout for 18 consecutive years, currently offering a 6.3% dividend yield, although the quarterly payment has only increased by 19.9% over the past decade [4][6] - The wireless service revenue grew by 2.2% year-over-year, while broadband connections increased by 12.2% to 12.9 million [5] - Free cash flow is projected to reach $4.74 per share in 2025, sufficient to cover the current annual dividend obligation of $2.71 [6] Group 2: American Express - American Express has a lower dividend yield of 1.1% but has increased its payout by 17% earlier this year, with a total increase of 183% over the past decade [7][8] - The company has reduced its share count by 29.4% over the last ten years, facilitating easier management of future payout increases [8] - American Express is positioned to benefit from steady growth as one of four global credit card networks, with recent initiatives like the Coinbase One Card enhancing its competitive stance [10][11] Group 3: Investment Considerations - The choice between Verizon and American Express depends on the investor's time horizon; American Express offers strong historical growth but a low current yield, while Verizon provides a higher yield with slower growth [12][13] - Projecting future yields, American Express could yield around 3.6% by 2045, while Verizon could yield 9.1% by the same year, making Verizon potentially more attractive for income-seeking investors [12][14]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications has shown solid performance in the first half of 2025, with stock growth of nearly 9%, outperforming the S&P 500 index, which increased by 1% [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Verizon's operating revenue fell by 2.1% year over year in 2023 but saw a slight increase of 0.6% in 2024 [2] - In the first quarter of 2025, total operating revenue grew by 1.5% year over year, and earnings climbed by 5.5% [6] - The company's dividend yield exceeds 6%, making it attractive compared to Treasury yields, and it has increased its dividend for 18 consecutive years, paying over $11 billion in cash dividends in 2024 [9] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Verizon is in the process of closing a $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, which will enhance its fiber internet capabilities [4] - The company aims to double its fixed-wireless access customers to 8 million to 9 million by 2028 and expand coverage to 90 million households [4] - The long-term goal with Frontier is to expand broadband access to 100 million premises, with 35 million to 40 million being fiber passings [5] Group 3: Market Position and Outlook - Verizon is a major player in the mature wireless market and is leveraging its existing infrastructure and brand recognition to deploy new solutions more rapidly [8] - Management is guiding for continued growth in wireless service revenue and higher growth in postpaid phone net additions in 2025 compared to 2024 [7] - The company's payout ratio for dividends was about 59% of earnings in the first quarter of 2025, with a trailing-12-month free cash flow yield of nearly 11%, providing a margin of safety for the dividend [10] Group 4: Investment Considerations - While Verizon's stock may not outperform the broader market in the long term, it is considered a top dividend stock due to its ability to pay and increase dividends consistently [11]