I was lucky enough to initiate my starting position in Main Street Capital (NYSE: MAIN ) during the pandemic when shares were trading around $30 per share. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to accumulate the position size I wanted before shares tookFinancial 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 ...

3D illustration of a rubber stamp with the word tariff stamped on paper background. Concept of taxes ... More or duties on imported goods.gettyThe UK trade deal was apparently the tasty egg roll before the main course of lower Chinese tariffs. A delightful order for this dividend grower, ready to feast on the “Peking duck” of trade agreements.China is one of the biggest buyers of US crops, importing tens of billions of dollars of American agriculture every year. Soybeans and corn meander from Midwest farms ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses three dividend stocks: Energy Transfer, Clearway Energy, and Starbucks, highlighting their potential for generating passive income and growth opportunities for investors. Group 1: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer offers a 7.7% dividend yield, positioning it as a strong investment for those optimistic about the U.S. energy sector [4] - The company is expanding its operations to meet increasing domestic energy demand and is involved in significant projects, including a major LNG export terminal in Louisiana [6][7] - CEO Marshall McCrea anticipates important announcements regarding gas supply for data centers, aligning with government initiatives to boost domestic energy production [5] Group 2: Clearway Energy - Clearway Energy has a forward yield of 6.1% and operates a clean energy portfolio of 11.8 GW across 26 states, making it less vulnerable to oil price fluctuations [8][9] - The company has secured long-term power purchase agreements, providing stability in cash flows and supporting its dividend payments [10] - In 2024, Clearway's dividends of $334 million were fully covered by its cash available for distribution, indicating strong financial health [11] Group 3: Starbucks - Starbucks has consistently raised its dividend since 2010, with the current yield approaching 3%, appealing to income-focused investors [12][13] - The company is undergoing a management transition, which has led to recent challenges, but long-term investors may find value at current stock prices [14][17] - The potential resolution of trade tensions could significantly benefit Starbucks, especially given its exposure to the Chinese market [15][16]

Shares of Medical Properties Trust (MPW -2.18%) have gotten shellacked over the past few years. The hospital-focused real estate investment trust (REIT) lost nearly 80% of its value from its peak a few years ago. Weighing on the stock has been a barrage of tenant issues and higher interest rates. Those problems forced the REIT to take several actions to shore up its portfolio and financial profile, including selling properties and slashing its dividend a couple of times. Those moves are finally starting to ...

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Steel and Cleveland Cliffs face significant challenges due to their reliance on traditional blast furnace methods for steel production, making them vulnerable during industry downturns, while Nucor and Steel Dynamics, utilizing electric arc mini-mills, are positioned as stronger competitors in the cyclical steel market [1][4][5]. Group 1: Company Challenges - U.S. Steel and Cleveland Cliffs produce primary steel using blast furnaces, which are large and costly to operate, requiring high utilization rates to be profitable [2]. - The cyclical nature of the steel industry leads to significant profit fluctuations for U.S. Steel and Cleveland Cliffs, making them difficult for long-term investors to hold [4]. Group 2: Competitive Advantages - Nucor and Steel Dynamics employ electric arc mini-mills, which are smaller, more flexible, and utilize scrap steel, allowing for better margin management throughout the steel cycle [5]. - Steel Dynamics has achieved 14 consecutive annual dividend increases, while Nucor boasts over 50, establishing it as a Dividend King [6]. Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Steel Dynamics is identified as a growth stock with potential for expansion, including plans to develop an aluminum business, and has seen its dividend grow at a 17% annualized rate over the past decade [7][8]. - Nucor is characterized as a conservative investment option with a stable dividend growth rate of around 4% over the past decade and a current yield of approximately 1.9% [10]. - Nucor's stock has declined by 40% from its 2024 highs, presenting a potential buying opportunity for investors looking for industry leaders during downturns [11].

Energy Transfer (ET 0.83%) pays a prodigious cash distribution to its investors. The master limited partnership's (MLP) payout is currently around 7.3%. That's several times higher than the S&P 500's dividend yield. Energy Transfer's current backlog of under-construction expansion projects will enter commercial service by the end of next year. However, that doesn't mean its growth engine is running low. The company is already working toward securing the next phase of its growth. Long noted on the call that ...

Company Overview - M&T Bank Corporation (MTB) is based in Buffalo and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -0.8% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $1.35 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.9%, which is lower than the Banks - Major Regional industry's yield of 3.81% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.54% [3] Dividend Analysis - The annualized dividend of M&T Bank is $5.40, reflecting a 0.9% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, M&T Bank has increased its dividend three times, achieving an average annual increase of 5.45% [4] - The current payout ratio for M&T Bank is 36%, indicating that the company pays out 36% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects earnings of $16.07 per share, representing an expected increase of 8% from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors for various reasons, including improving stock investing profits and providing tax advantages [6] - High-yielding stocks may face challenges during periods of rising interest rates, but M&T Bank is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile [7] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [7]

Financial 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 long term-growth that pack a serious punch for bill-paying potential. I use myself as an example that with a solid base of classic dividend growth stocks, sprinkling in some Business Development Companies, REITs, an ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a hybrid investment strategy that combines classic dividend growth stocks with Business Development Companies, REITs, and Closed End Funds to enhance investment income while achieving total returns comparable to traditional index funds [1]. Investment Strategy - The investment approach focuses on high-quality dividend stocks and assets that provide long-term growth potential, which can significantly contribute to income generation [1]. - A balanced portfolio that includes both growth and income-generating assets can lead to efficient investment income and total returns on par with the S&P 500 [1].

Group 1: Alpine Income - Alpine Income is a relatively new REIT founded in 2019, with a market cap of $216.6 million, making it a smaller alternative to larger REITs like Realty Income, which has a market cap of $51 billion [4] - The company focuses on single-tenant net-lease properties, resulting in lower overhead costs as tenants are responsible for expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance [4][5] - Alpine Income's portfolio consists of 134 properties that are 99% occupied and diversified across 35 U.S. states, with top tenants including well-known brands like Dicks Sporting Goods and Lowe's [5] - The company offers a high dividend yield of 7.6%, significantly above the S&P 500 index average of 1.27%, making it attractive for income-focused investors [6] Group 2: Dollar General - Dollar General's shares have increased by 22% year to date, recovering from previous weaknesses due to high inflation affecting its low-cost business model [7] - The company is better positioned to handle potential threats from new tariff policies, with only 10% of its inventory exposed to global tariffs, compared to 50% for Dollar Tree and nearly 100% for other retailers [8] - Dollar General's focus on low prices and rural areas creates an economic moat, attracting customers away from larger competitors like Walmart and Target [9] - The company has an attractive valuation with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 17, significantly lower than Walmart's 37 times expected earnings, and offers a dividend yield of 2.6% [10]