Analyst's Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MSFT, AMZN, MA either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Since September 2024 , I added to my Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) position a few times, which I described in my previous coverages. MSF ...

Group 1 - The Dividend Aristocrats are underperforming compared to the S&P 500, trailing the index in both April and May [1] - As of May 23rd, the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL) has increased by 0.84% [1]

Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend ...

Flag hanging on a facadegettyWall Street analysts have “Buy” ratings on 388 stocks in the S&P 500. That’s over 76% of the index!Thank you, suits, for the curation. No, seriously. We contrarians are going to comb through the Holds and, even, the lone Sell.Analyst optimism is the norm. Analysts need access, companies provide them with access. One hand washes the other, thus it is rare to see unfavorable ratings on stocks.The problem with a Buy rating is that there is nobody left to upgrade the stock. Every de ...

Group 1 - The article promotes iREIT on Alpha as a source for in-depth research on various income alternatives including REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs [1] - It highlights the positive feedback from users, with 438 testimonials, most of which are rated 5 stars, indicating a strong user satisfaction [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific investment recommendations or advice, emphasizing that past performance is not indicative of future results [2] - It clarifies that the views expressed may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole, and that the analysts involved may not be licensed or certified [2]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the significant yet complex influence of politics on markets, highlighting it as one of the three pillars of the investment research framework [1] - The discussion includes various investment vehicles such as REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs, indicating a focus on income alternatives [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial data or performance metrics related to companies or industries [2]

Core Viewpoint - The stock market is facing challenges in 2025, with the S&P 500 down 0.4%, but AT&T has shown resilience, up 20.2% year-to-date, making it a defensive investment option [1][8]. Company Performance - AT&T has not conducted a stock split in decades, with its last forward splits occurring in 1987, 1993, and 1998, and a reverse split in 2002 [4][6]. - The company is not in a position to require a stock split, as its shares are under $30, making them affordable [6]. - AT&T announced plans to return $40 billion to shareholders through 2027, split equally between dividends and share buybacks, enhancing shareholder value [7]. Revenue and Financials - In Q1 2025, AT&T reported $21.6 billion in revenue, with 77% ($16.7 billion) coming from services, and an operating income of $6.7 billion, reflecting a 2.4% year-over-year increase [9]. - The company has improved its balance sheet by reducing net debt by $32 billion since 2020, following challenges from previous media acquisitions [11]. Subscriber Growth - AT&T added 324,000 postpaid phone customers in Q1 2025, outperforming Verizon, which lost 289,000 customers, but lagging behind T-Mobile, which added 495,000 [12]. Investment Considerations - AT&T is suitable for investors seeking stability, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio under 14 and a high dividend yield of 4% [13][14]. - The company cut its dividend in 2022 to manage cash flow and reduce debt, but plans to spend $20 billion on dividends through 2027, indicating potential for future increases [14]. - Despite its recent outperformance, AT&T has historically underperformed the S&P 500 over the last three, five, and ten years, making it less attractive for growth-focused investors [15].

Core Insights - The company focuses on helping individual investors achieve financial independence through strategic dividend investing [1][2] - The investment strategy emphasizes a straightforward approach: "Buy Low, Sell High, Get Paid to Wait," which has proven effective in volatile markets [2] - Membership provides access to model portfolios tailored for different investing styles, all of which have outperformed the market since inception [3] Investment Tools and Community - Members receive exclusive analysis of 100 selected dividend stocks, along with weekly buy/watch/sell lists to aid in decision-making [3] - The company fosters a supportive community for dividend investors, promoting transparency and engagement among members [4] - The organization aims to assist both novice and experienced investors in achieving their retirement goals through shared insights and support [4]

Group 1: Market Overview - Trump's trade policies have caused volatility in broader equities, leading to investor concerns about future market conditions [1] - Despite short-term uncertainties, the stock market is expected to provide competitive returns over the long term [1] Group 2: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola has outperformed the market this year, benefiting from its position in the consumer staples industry, which is perceived as a safe haven during economic downturns [4] - The company's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 24.2, which is reasonable compared to the industry average of 22.2 [4] - Coca-Cola's extensive global presence and local manufacturing reduce the impact of tariffs, making it resilient to trade policy changes [5] - The brand's strong recognition and adaptability to changing consumer demands provide a competitive advantage [6][7] - Coca-Cola has a remarkable dividend track record, having increased payouts for 63 consecutive years, indicating robust underlying operations [8] Group 3: Costco - Costco's stock appears expensive with a forward P/E of 56.7, which is significantly above the average for consumer staples [9] - The company's membership model fosters customer loyalty and encourages repeat visits, enhancing its competitive position [10] - Costco has substantial growth opportunities, particularly in international markets, with 69% of its warehouses located in the U.S. [11] - The company holds a 1.5% share of the U.S. e-commerce market, with e-commerce sales growing faster, providing a long-term growth tailwind [12] - Although tariffs may impact margins, Costco's strong brand and global expansion strategy are expected to sustain its appeal and performance in the long run [13]

If you are looking for American-made dividend stocks, you can't do much better than buying U.S. utilities. Companies like NextEra Energy (NEE 1.42%), Black Hills (BKH 0.90%), and American Electric Power (AEP 1.07%) are built on regional and regulated U.S. monopolies. Each one of these American high-yield stocks has a different story to tell. Here's a quick look at why you might want to buy each one.1. NextEra Energy is all about dividend growthThe average utility stock is yielding around 2.9% today. NextEra ...