Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett considers the acquisition of Kraft Heinz as one of his few investment mistakes, particularly criticizing the overpayment for Kraft in 2015, despite Berkshire Hathaway's continued ownership of approximately 27% of the company [1][2][4]. Company Performance - Kraft Heinz stock has lost two-thirds of its value over the past decade and is currently at five-year lows, yet it remains a significant part of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, constituting about 3% of its value [2]. - The company has a high dividend yield of approximately 6%, significantly above the average yield of around 2%, making it attractive for dividend-seeking investors [5][7]. Challenges Facing Kraft Heinz - Many of Kraft Heinz's well-known brands are experiencing declining sales, particularly in North America, which is a major issue for the company [8]. - Increased competition from social media influencers and cheaper unbranded products is impacting Kraft Heinz's market position, leading to a decline in organic net sales by nearly 5% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025, with operating income falling by 8% [9][10]. Strategic Outlook - Kraft Heinz is exploring "strategic transactions," which may involve selling parts of its portfolio or acquiring other businesses, but faces challenges due to a substantial debt load of nearly $21 billion [11][12]. - The company aims to reduce operating expenses by about $1 billion by the end of 2027, which could help sustain its dividend [14]. Dividend Safety and Future Prospects - Despite current challenges, the outlook for Kraft Heinz's dividend is considered safe, with the business maintaining strong profit margins, suggesting it could be an attractive option for income-focused investors [15].

Group 1: Company Overview - Berkshire Hathaway has a significant $281 billion equities portfolio, with Coca-Cola being a dominant investment, holding 400 million shares valued at $29 billion, representing 10% of Berkshire's portfolio [1][4] - Coca-Cola has a strong dividend history, having increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, yielding 2.86%, which generates $816 million in annualized income for Berkshire [4][5] Group 2: Financial Performance - Coca-Cola's total dividend expenditure for fiscal 2024 was $8.4 billion, supported by a net profit margin averaging 23% over the past three years, indicating robust profitability [5] - In the first quarter, Coca-Cola experienced a 2% increase in volume, with pricing and mix contributing a positive 5% impact, showcasing its pricing power and brand loyalty [9] Group 3: Market Position and Stability - Coca-Cola maintains a sustainable competitive advantage with over 200 drink brands globally, achieving unmatched visibility and consumer loyalty [7][8] - The company has historically shown resilience during economic downturns, with stable demand even during the Great Recession, where revenue dipped slightly in 2009 but rebounded afterward [10] Group 4: Investment Considerations - While Coca-Cola offers steady income for dividend investors, it is not expected to provide significant capital appreciation, with a stock price increase of only 75% over the past decade due to its mature industry status [12] - The current economic environment presents challenges, but Coca-Cola is perceived as a safe stock, with shares up 15% in 2025 (as of June 4), excluding dividends [6][10]

Core Insights - Warren Buffett plans to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year but will remain as chairman of the board, with expectations that his long-term investment strategy will continue to thrive [1] - A $1,000 investment in Berkshire stock in 1965 would have grown to $44.7 million by the end of 2024, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which would have reached only $342,906 [2] Berkshire Hathaway's Dividend-Paying Stocks - Berkshire's portfolio of publicly traded securities is valued at $282 billion, with three stocks accounting for 47.7% of its total value, potentially generating $1.6 billion in dividends this year [3] 1. Apple - Berkshire holds 300 million shares of Apple, expected to yield $309 million in dividends this year, with a current value of $61 billion and a dividend yield of 0.5% [5][8] - Apple represents 21.7% of Berkshire's portfolio, and Buffett sold half of the position last year to mitigate concentration risk [6] 2. American Express - Berkshire owns 151.6 million shares of American Express, which could yield $479 million in dividends this year, with a total value of $44.9 billion, accounting for 15.9% of its portfolio [9][10] - The expected dividend yield from American Express is around 1.1% [11] 3. Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is expected to provide $816 million in dividends this year, with Berkshire holding 400 million shares valued at $28.5 billion, representing 10.1% of its portfolio [12][13] - Coca-Cola's dividend yield is projected at 2.8%, with the company having paid $776 million in dividends last year [14][15]

Company Overview - Guaranty Bancshares Inc. (GNTY) is headquartered in Addison and operates in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of 17.43% since the beginning of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.25 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.46%, which is higher than the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.27% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.56% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $1 represents a 4.2% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, Guaranty Bancshares has increased its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 7.12% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 34%, indicating that it paid out 34% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - Earnings growth for GNTY appears solid, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $3.30 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 20.44% [5] Investment Appeal - GNTY is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7] - The company is positioned as a better dividend option compared to high-growth firms or tech start-ups, which typically do not provide dividends [7]

Company Overview - First Busey (BUSE) is headquartered in Leawood and operates in the Finance sector. The stock has experienced a price change of -5.69% since the beginning of the year [3]. Dividend Information - First Busey currently pays a dividend of $0.25 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.5%. This yield is significantly higher than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 3.17% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.56% [3]. - The company's annualized dividend of $1 has increased by 4.2% from the previous year. Over the last five years, First Busey has raised its dividend three times, averaging an annual increase of 2.21% [4]. - The current payout ratio for First Busey is 46%, indicating that it distributes 46% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4]. Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Busey's earnings in 2025 is projected at $2.54 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 22.12% [5]. Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors for various reasons, including improving stock investing profits and providing tax advantages. However, not all companies offer quarterly payouts [6]. - High-growth firms or tech start-ups typically do not provide dividends, while larger, established companies are often viewed as better dividend options. Income investors should be aware that high-yielding stocks may face challenges during periods of rising interest rates [7]. - First Busey is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7].

Company Overview - DTE Energy is headquartered in Detroit and operates in the Utilities sector, specifically in Electric Power [3] - The company's stock has experienced a price change of 9.9% year-to-date [3] Dividend Information - DTE Energy currently pays a dividend of $1.09 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.29%, which is higher than the Utility - Electric Power industry's yield of 3.25% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.56% [3] - The annualized dividend of DTE Energy is $4.36, reflecting a 5.1% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, DTE Energy has increased its dividend 4 times year-over-year, with an average annual increase of 1.01% [4] - The current payout ratio for DTE Energy is 60%, indicating that the company pays out 60% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - DTE Energy is expected to see earnings growth in the current fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $7.24 per share, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 6% [5] Investment Considerations - DTE Energy is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

BDCs are the bread & butter for investors looking for income. And from 2022 until recently, many have rewarded shareholders handsomely due to tailwinds from higher for longer interest rates.Contributing analyst to the iREIT+Hoya Capital investment group. The Dividend Collectuh is not a registered investment professional nor financial advisor and these articles should not be taken as financial advice. This is for educational purposes only and I encourage everyone to do their own due diligence. I'm a Navy vet ...

Make money without even trying. That might sound impossible. It isn't, though.Granted, the old saying that "it takes money to make money" is usually true. You typically must have upfront capital to invest to make money. You'll also need an investment vehicle that will produce income.But the second hurdle is an easy one to jump. Income-seeking investors have plenty of alternatives. I think Realty Income (O -0.30%) is one of the best. Investing $50,000 in this ultra-high-yield dividend stock could generate $2 ...

Dow (NYSE: DOW ) has been paying dividends continuously since 1912 and today it’s yielding nearly 10%. That’s no coincidence. In a stock market full of pessimism, geopolitical tensions, and demand shortages, Dow stands out as a dividend giant in dire straits. I was intriguedI'm a passionate investor from the Netherlands with 12 years of stock market experience. My articles usually contain a good overview of important investment criteria. A stock for my portfolio is of interest to me if the company has the f ...

Samuel Smith has a diverse background that includes being lead analyst and Vice President at several highly regarded dividend stock research firms and running his own dividend investing YouTube channel. He is a Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering & Mathematics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has a Masters in Engineering from Texas A&M with a focus on applied mathematics and machine learning.Samuel leads the High Yield Inve ...