Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of multiple criteria when selecting dividend stocks, including dividend growth and history, as well as potential catalysts for price appreciation [1]. Group 1: Dividend Stocks Identified - Four stocks with great potential for investors in 2026 are Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Sonoco Products (NYSE: SON), Getty Realty (NYSE: GTY), and Target (NYSE: TGT) [2]. Group 2: Chevron - Chevron has a forward dividend yield of 4.22% and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years, nearing the status of a Dividend King [4]. - Despite the ongoing oil price slump, Chevron's dividend growth is expected to continue, supported by potential catalysts such as an acquisition of Lukoil's international business [5]. Group 3: Sonoco Products - Sonoco Products has raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years, with a current forward dividend yield of 4.46%. Although the dividend increased by only 1.9% last year, strong price appreciation is anticipated this year [6]. - Sonoco's shares trade for less than 8 times its forward earnings, compared to peers like Amcor, which trade at forward P/E ratios of 10-12, indicating potential for valuation improvement [7]. Group 4: Getty Realty - Getty Realty is a specialty REIT with a forward yield of 6.7%, recognized for its high dividend yield and consistent dividend growth for over a decade [10]. Group 5: Target - Target remains a strong turnaround play for dividend-focused investors, even after recent price surges [9].

Group 1 - The article celebrates the fifth anniversary of High Yield Investor by offering a 30-day money-back guarantee to attract new investors [1] - Current market conditions are characterized by persistent inflation, concerns about a weakening labor market, and rising geopolitical uncertainty, leading to high stock market valuations [1] - High Yield Investor focuses on balancing safety, growth, yield, and value in its investment strategies, offering various portfolios and educational content [1] Group 2 - Samuel Smith, a lead analyst with a diverse background, leads the High Yield Investor group alongside Jussi Askola and Paul R. Drake [1] - The service includes real-money core, retirement, and international portfolios, along with regular trade alerts and an active chat room for investors [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of high-quality dividend growth investments that are designed to build growing income for investors, focusing on industry leaders for stability and long-term wealth creation [2][3] Group 1: Investment Strategies - The Cash Builder Opportunities service provides ideas for reliable dividend growth investments and options writing to enhance income for investors [2][3] - The leader of Cash Builder Opportunities, Nick Ackerman, has 14 years of investing experience and focuses on closed-end funds, dividend growth stocks, and option writing [3] Group 2: Community and Resources - Members of the Cash Builder Opportunities group gain access to a portfolio, watchlist, and live chat, allowing them to receive first looks at publications and exclusive articles [1] - The service includes model portfolios and research to assist investors in making informed decisions through an active chat room [3]

Core Insights - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has announced its financial guidance for 2026, highlighting sustained operational momentum and strategic focus as a protein-centric consumer packaged goods leader [1][2] Strategic and Operational Guidance Highlights - The company anticipates a mid-single digit increase in revenue for fiscal 2026, driven by growth strategies including leadership in Sustainable Meats and expansion in the U.S. market [5] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $520 million to $540 million, supported by revenue growth and margin improvements [5] - Capital investments are projected to be between $160 million and $180 million, focusing on maintenance and productivity enhancements [5] - The company is committed to maintaining an investment-grade balance sheet with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio below 3.0x [5] Commitment to Shareholder Returns - The Board has approved a 10% increase in the quarterly dividend for 2026, raising it from $0.19 to $0.21 per share, marking the eleventh consecutive annual increase [3][5] - The total annual dividend will be $0.84 per share, with the first quarter dividend payable on March 31, 2026 [3] Dividend Reinvestment Plan - The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) allows eligible shareholders to reinvest cash dividends into additional common shares at a price equal to 100% of the weighted average closing price for the five trading days preceding the dividend payment date [4] Ongoing Guidance and Investor Day - The company is committed to providing annual guidance, with the 2026 outlook supported by progress on key initiatives and continued margin expansion [7] - Additional details on long-term strategy and capital allocation will be shared at the upcoming Investor Day on March 10, 2026 [7]

When I previously covered Barings Corporate Investors ( MCI ), I issued a hold rating due to the premium valuation at the time. However, there is still uncertainty around the health of the debt markets since interestFinancial analyst by day and a seasoned investor by passion, I've been involved in the world of investing for over 15 years and honed my skills in analyzing lucrative opportunities within the market.I specialize in uncovering high quality dividend stocks and other assets that offer potential for ...

Core Insights - The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) focuses on high current yield, while the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) emphasizes companies with a history of growing dividends, leading to differences in sector exposure, dividend payout, and risk profile [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - VYM has an expense ratio of 0.06% and assets under management (AUM) of $84.5 billion, while VIG has a slightly lower expense ratio of 0.05% and a larger AUM of $120.4 billion [3] - The 1-year total return for VYM is 19.8%, compared to VIG's 18.6%, and VYM offers a higher dividend yield of 2.4% versus VIG's 1.6% [3][4] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, VYM experienced a maximum drawdown of 15.9%, while VIG had a higher drawdown of 20.4% [5] - The growth of $1,000 over five years is $1,566 for VYM and $1,573 for VIG, indicating similar performance [5] Portfolio Composition - VIG holds 338 stocks with significant exposure to technology (27.8%), financial services (21.4%), and healthcare (16.7%), with top positions in Broadcom, Microsoft, and Apple [6] - VYM has a broader portfolio with 566 holdings, primarily focused on financial services (21%) and technology (14.3%), with top stocks including Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, and ExxonMobil [7] Investment Strategy - VYM targets high-yield companies and tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which reflects the performance of companies with high dividend yields across all market capitalizations [9] - VIG tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, focusing on companies that have increased their dividend payouts for at least 10 years, thus favoring stable and expanding firms [10][12]

Core Insights - The comparison between iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) highlights differences in dividend yield, sector focus, and risk, which are crucial for investors considering income versus growth strategies [1][2]. Cost & Size - HDV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VIG has a lower expense ratio of 0.05% [3][4]. - As of January 2, 2026, HDV's one-year return is 12.0% compared to VIG's 14.4% [3]. - HDV offers a dividend yield of 3.2%, significantly higher than VIG's 2.0% [3][4]. - HDV has assets under management (AUM) of $12.0 billion, while VIG has a much larger AUM of $102.0 billion [3][4]. Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, HDV's maximum drawdown is -15.41%, while VIG's is -20.39% [5]. - An investment of $1,000 in HDV would grow to $1,683 over five years, whereas the same investment in VIG would grow to $1,737 [5]. Portfolio Composition - VIG consists of 338 holdings with a significant tilt towards Technology (30%), Financial Services (21%), and Healthcare (15%) [6]. - The top holdings in VIG include Broadcom, Microsoft, and Apple, reflecting its focus on dividend growth [6]. - HDV is concentrated on 74 U.S. stocks with higher current yields, focusing on sectors like Consumer Defensive, Energy, and Healthcare [7]. - Major positions in HDV include Exxon Mobil, Johnson & Johnson, and Chevron, emphasizing its income-oriented strategy [7]. Investment Suitability - VIG is suited for investors seeking growth through dividend appreciation, despite its lower yield [11][13]. - HDV appeals to conservative investors prioritizing income and lower volatility due to its higher dividend yield and focus on defensive sectors [12][13].

Core Insights - Consistent dividend growth is a primary goal for income investors, and while ETFs may not always provide predictable income due to their trading activities, some can still deliver solid performance [1][2] - The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has successfully increased its annual dividend payout every year since its inception in 2014, distinguishing itself from many other dividend ETFs [2][6] ETF Overview - The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF tracks the Morningstar U.S. Dividend Growth Index, focusing on dividend-paying stocks that meet three main criteria: must pay a qualified dividend, have five or more years of consecutive dividend growth, and maintain a payout ratio of less than 75% [4][7] - This strategy ensures investment in companies committed to paying and increasing dividends, while also screening out less reliable firms [4] Portfolio Composition - The ETF's portfolio includes durable and successful companies with strong cash flows and steady earnings, with top holdings such as ExxonMobil, JPMorgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, and Apple [5] - The fund is overweight in key sectors like financials and healthcare, which provide growth catalysts and solid value [6] Performance Metrics - The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF has an expense ratio of 0.08%, one of the lowest in its category, and a current yield of 2.14%, which is more than double that of the S&P 500 [8] - The ETF has demonstrated over a decade of dividend growth, with payouts increasing at a healthy rate [9]

Core Insights - High yields are prevalent in the energy sector, but achieving dividend growth presents significant challenges [1] Group 1 - The energy market offers numerous opportunities for high yields, indicating a strong return potential for investors [1] - Dividend growth within the energy sector is not as readily available, suggesting a disparity between yield and growth potential [1]

Core Insights - Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026 [1] - Analysts have become more bullish on Nordson following strong Q4 results, with Vertical Research upgrading the stock to Buy and setting a price target of $270 [2] - DA Davidson raised its price target for Nordson to $290 from $285, maintaining a Buy rating, citing improved operating margins and a strong balance sheet [3] Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, Nordson reported revenue of $752 million, reflecting a 1% increase year-over-year [4] - The company has a backlog of approximately $600 million entering fiscal 2026, which is a 5% increase from the previous year-end [4] - Nordson forecasts full-year sales growth between 1% and 6% above fiscal 2025 levels [4] Earnings Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Nordson anticipates adjusted earnings growth of 6% to 12% per diluted share, with a midpoint estimate of 9% [5] - For Q1, sales are expected to range from $630 million to $670 million, with adjusted earnings projected between $2.25 and $2.45 per diluted share [5] Business Segments - The Medical and Fluid Solutions segment is showing improved operating margins due to divestiture benefits and volume recovery [3] - Order activity in the Advanced Technology Solutions segment appears healthy based on recent trends [3]