Core Viewpoint - Microsoft will pay its first quarterly dividend of 2026 on March 13, maintaining a dividend of $0.91 per share, consistent with the previous quarter [1][2]. Dividend Details - The next estimated dividend payment is $0.91 per share, with a pay date of March 12, 2026, and it is categorized as a regular quarterly dividend [2]. - Shareholders owning 100 shares before February 19 can expect a total dividend payment of $91 next month, leading to an estimated yearly payout of $364 for 2026 if the trend continues [3]. Dividend Profile - Microsoft is recognized as a reliable dividend payer in the technology sector, currently offering a dividend yield of 0.91%, which is below the sector average of 1.37% but is balanced by stability and long-term growth [4]. - The company has a forward payout ratio of 19.14%, indicating that less than one-fifth of expected earnings are distributed to shareholders, allowing for reinvestment and future dividend increases [5]. Historical Performance - Microsoft has increased its dividend for nearly 24 consecutive years, positioning itself among established dividend growth companies, with Broadcom being a notable peer with a 16-year track record of dividend increases [7]. - The shares exhibit strong historical dividend capture characteristics, with an average price recovery time of just 1.3 days following ex-dividend dates [8].

Chemicals giant LyondellBasell recently slashed its dividend in half. As a result, it lost its crown as the highest-yielding dividend stock in the S&P 500. Taking its place at the top is Conagra (NYSE: CAG) with its 7.4%-yielding payout. Here's a look at whether the high-yielding food stock can do a better job satisfying investors' hunger for sustainable dividend income than its predecessor. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, cal ...

VOO Has Made Millionaires, But Its 1.1% Yield Worries Retirees - 24/7 Wall St.[S&P 5006,942.30 +0.74%] [Dow Jones49,452.00 +0.58%][Nasdaq 10025,299.30 +1.27%][Russell 20002,664.25 +0.48%][FTSE 10010,818.30 +0.97%][Nikkei 22559,645.30 +2.96%][Live Nasdaq Composite: Tech Tailwinds Boost Market Sentiment, Reclaiming Lost Ground][Investing]# VOO Has Made Millionaires, But Its 1.1% Yield Worries Retirees### Quick ReadVanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) holds $1.5T in assets. VOO gained 17.69% over the past year.NVIDIA, A ...

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) will release earnings for its fourth quarter before the opening bell on Wednesday, Feb. 25.Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings of $1.94 per share. That’s up from $1.93 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Lowe’s quarterly revenue is $20.34 billion (it reported $18.55 billion last year), according to Benzinga Pro.Ahead of quarterly earnings, RBC Capital analyst Steven Shemesh, on Monday, maintained Lowe’s with a Sector Perform and ...

Key Takeaways Bristol Myers emerges as the stronger near-term pick over Merck.BMY's new drugs, label expansions and $2B cost-savings plan support 2026 margins.MRK faces Gardasil weakness, Keytruda exclusivity loss and a $2.5B generic headwind.Merck & Co. (MRK) and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) are major global drugmakers with expansive, diversified portfolios.Merck stands out for its leadership in oncology, complemented by strong positions in infectious diseases and vaccines.Bristol Myers, meanwhile, concentra ...

Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment Corp. is a real estate investment trust specializing in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, employing a leveraged investment strategy and dynamic risk management to mitigate interest rate and market risks [1][5]. Group 1: Company Overview - AGNC focuses on Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, which are backed by guarantees from entities like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae [1][5]. - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $12.14 billion and a trading volume of 15.5 million shares [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - AGNC has maintained a high dividend yield, consistently above 10%, although the dividend has shown volatility and a downward trend over the past decade [3]. - The company recently declared a monthly cash dividend of $0.12 per share for February 2026, payable on March 10, 2026, to stockholders on record as of February 27, 2026 [3][5]. - AGNC boasts a 97% dividend coverage and zero credit risk, with a current yield of 12.6% [4]. Group 3: Stock Performance - The stock price of AGNC is currently at $11.32, with a slight increase of 0.01, or 0.088%, for the day, having seen a low of $11.26 and a high of $11.38 [2]. - Over the past year, the stock has reached a high of $12.19 and a low of $7.85 [4]. - The company has outperformed the S&P 500 since its IPO in May 2008 [3].

Core Insights - Walmart reported Q4 financials that exceeded market expectations, with e-commerce sales reaching a record 23% of total sales [1] - Despite conservative guidance for the upcoming year due to pressures on lower-income consumers, options traders are optimistic about Walmart's stock performance in 2026 [1][2] - The stock has already increased approximately 12% since the beginning of the year [2] Financial Performance - Walmart's Q4 results included a new $30 billion stock buyback plan, indicating confidence in long-term growth and shareholder value [6] - The company also boasts a 0.74% dividend yield, enhancing its attractiveness for investors in 2026 [6] Market Sentiment - Derivatives data suggests a bullish outlook for Walmart, with options pricing indicating a potential stock price of $139 by mid-May [5] - Technical indicators show that Walmart shares are above key moving averages (50-day, 100-day, 200-day), suggesting strong bullish control [5] Expert Opinions - Industry expert Jan Kniffen maintains a "permabull" stance on Walmart, citing a strong Q4 and a 37% year-on-year growth in its high-margin advertising business [7] - Kniffen emphasizes Walmart's successful transition to a high-speed distribution network, leveraging its physical footprint for e-commerce [7] - He also notes Walmart's ability to diversify its supply chain and maintain profitability amid tariff uncertainties [8] Analyst Ratings - Wall Street analysts remain bullish on Walmart following its Q4 earnings report, reinforcing positive sentiment in the market [9]

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns healthcare properties providing necessary services. Hospitals account for 60% of its revenue. That's the good news and why many investors will likely find the stock's 6.6% yield highly compelling. There's just one problem: The yield is that high for a reason. The yield is way out of line The S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has a yield of  about 1.2%. The average REIT has a yield of 3.8%. So, when you see a REIT backed ...

Core Insights - eBay Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings on February 18, with analysts predicting earnings of $1.35 per share, an increase from $1.25 per share in the same quarter last year [1] - The expected quarterly revenue for eBay is $2.87 billion, up from $2.58 billion reported in the previous year [1] Analyst Ratings - UBS analyst Stephen Ju has maintained a Neutral rating on eBay and has lowered the price target from $95 to $93 [2] Dividend Information - eBay currently has an annual dividend yield of 1.45%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 29 cents per share, or $1.16 annually [2] - To generate $500 monthly from dividends, an investment of approximately $413,501 or around 5,172 shares is required, while $100 monthly would need about $82,668 or 1,034 shares [2] Dividend Yield Calculation - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price, which can fluctuate based on stock price changes [3] - Changes in dividend payments also affect the yield; an increase in dividends raises the yield if the stock price remains constant [4] Stock Performance - eBay's shares fell by 3% to close at $79.95 on Tuesday [4]

Core Insights - eBay Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings on February 18, with analysts predicting earnings of $1.35 per share, an increase from $1.25 per share in the same quarter last year [1] - The expected quarterly revenue for eBay is $2.87 billion, up from $2.58 billion reported in the previous year [1] Analyst Ratings - UBS analyst Stephen Ju has maintained a Neutral rating on eBay and has lowered the price target from $95 to $93 [2] Dividend Information - eBay currently has an annual dividend yield of 1.45%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 29 cents per share, or $1.16 annually [2] - To generate $500 monthly from dividends, an investment of approximately $413,501 or around 5,172 shares is required, while $100 monthly would need about $82,668 or 1,034 shares [2] Dividend Yield Calculation - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price, which can fluctuate based on stock price changes [3] - Changes in dividend payments also affect the yield; an increase in dividends raises the yield if the stock price remains constant, while a decrease lowers it [4] Stock Performance - eBay's shares fell by 3% to close at $79.95 on Tuesday [4]