Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment is considered an unreliable dividend payer despite its high yield of 13.7%, while W.P. Carey, despite a recent dividend cut, is viewed as a more stable option for dividend investors with a yield of 5.5% [1][2][15]. Group 1: AGNC Investment - AGNC Investment is a mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) known for offering extremely high yields, currently at 13.7% [6][7]. - The company's dividend payouts have been highly volatile over time, with a trend of decreasing payouts in recent years, making it less reliable for income generation [9][15]. - The nature of mREITs involves managing a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, which adds complexity and risk to dividend stability [7][10]. Group 2: W.P. Carey - W.P. Carey cut its dividend in 2023 after nearly 25 years of consecutive annual increases, a decision made to strategically exit the troubled office sector [11][13]. - Following the dividend cut, W.P. Carey quickly resumed raising its dividend, indicating a strong recovery and growth potential, with management increasing its full-year forecast after the third-quarter earnings announcement [13][14]. - The company has redirected funds from property sales into new industrial, warehouse, and retail properties, enhancing its growth trajectory [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is recommended as a suitable high-yield ETF for dividend investors, emphasizing its investment strategy that mirrors individual stock selection [1][10]. Group 1: ETF Overview - Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is an index-tracking ETF that follows the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, requiring investors to understand the index's performance to gauge the ETF's value [2]. - The ETF comprises 100 stocks selected based on a rigorous screening process, focusing on companies that have increased dividends annually for at least a decade, excluding real estate investment trusts [4]. - A composite score is calculated for potential stocks based on cash flow to total debt, return on equity, dividend yield, and five-year dividend growth rate, aiming to identify financially strong and well-managed companies [5]. Group 2: Performance and Characteristics - The ETF employs a market cap weighting, meaning larger companies have a more significant impact on performance, and it has a low expense ratio of 0.06% [6]. - The ETF offers a balanced approach, providing an attractive yield of approximately 3.8%, reasonable capital growth, and consistent dividend growth over time [8][10]. - The portfolio is currently underweight in technology (8%) and more concentrated in energy (19%), consumer staples (18%), and healthcare (16%), which may present a diversification advantage compared to other ETFs heavily weighted in technology [11][14]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to focus on understanding the ETF's index construction rather than chasing performance, as a strong index can indicate a worthwhile investment [13]. - A $1,000 investment in SCHD allows for the purchase of roughly 36 shares, providing diversification that may be lacking in other ETFs, particularly those tracking the S&P 500, where technology constitutes a significant portion [14].

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) has gained significant attention from analysts and investors due to recent volatility affecting its share price [1] - The share price of MSDL has experienced extreme fluctuations, prompting interest from the investment community [1] Group 2 - Roberts Berzins has over a decade of experience in financial management, focusing on shaping financial strategies for top-tier corporates [1] - Berzins has contributed to institutionalizing the REIT framework in Latvia to enhance liquidity in pan-Baltic capital markets [1] - His work includes developing national SOE financing guidelines and frameworks for channeling private capital into affordable housing [1]

Core Insights - It is emphasized that starting an investment journey is always possible, particularly for beginners [1] Group 1 - Investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is highlighted as a beneficial choice for novice investors [1]

Core Insights - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide investors with exposure to a diversified basket of stocks and can also pay dividends, making them suitable for different investment strategies based on age and financial goals [1][2] Group 1: Dividend ETFs for Retirees - Dividend ETFs are particularly beneficial for retirees as they generate annual income and offer diversification [2] - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) aims to track the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, with an expense ratio of 0.06% and a return of 33% over the past five years, while maintaining a trailing-12-month dividend yield of nearly 3.8% [3][4] - The portfolio of SCHD includes large-cap stocks across various sectors, providing solid diversification, with defensive stocks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and healthcare companies such as AbbVie and Merck [4][5] Group 2: Bond ETFs for Older Investors - As investors age, they tend to shift towards bonds to preserve their savings, with the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (VBIIX) fitting this strategy by tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index [7][8] - VBIIX has an expense ratio of 0.03% and has experienced a 16% loss over the past five years due to rising interest rates, but it has maintained a trailing-12-month dividend yield of approximately 3.9% [9][10] - The ETF's portfolio consists of over half in U.S. government bonds, with 20% in corporate BBB bonds and 17% in A-rated bonds, indicating a focus on stability and safety [10][11]

Core Insights - The healthcare sector is considered recession-resistant due to the inelastic demand for medical services, making it a stable investment during economic fluctuations [1] - Established healthcare companies, particularly in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, have strong profits and cash flows that support consistent dividend payments and growth [2] Company Analysis: AbbVie - AbbVie has a 53-year history of increasing dividends, recently announcing a 5.5% increase, with a current yield of approximately 3.3% [3] - The company is experiencing significant growth from its immunology drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which saw sales growth of 47% and 35% respectively in Q3 2025, contributing to projected combined sales exceeding $25 billion for the year [4] - AbbVie's neuroscience portfolio is also growing, with over 20% sales growth driven by drugs like Ubrelvy and Vraylar, leading to total net revenue of nearly $15.8 billion in Q3, a 9% year-over-year increase [5] - Despite a 38% year-over-year decline in diluted earnings due to increased R&D charges, AbbVie's adjusted EPS of $1.86 surpassed Wall Street expectations [6][8] - The company has been actively acquiring firms to diversify its portfolio, including a recent $2.1 billion acquisition of Capstan Therapeutics, enhancing its immunology pipeline [7] Company Analysis: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson has increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, reflecting a strong commitment to shareholder returns [10] - The company generated approximately $20 billion in free cash flow in 2024, with a manageable dividend payout ratio of around 50%, allowing for future increases [11] - Johnson & Johnson holds a rare AAA credit rating, indicating exceptional financial strength [12] - The company is focusing on six priority growth areas: oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, surgery, and vision products, with Q3 2025 sales reaching about $24 billion, a 6.8% increase year-over-year [14] - Key growth products include Darzalex, Tremfya, and Carvykti, with the oncology segment showing nearly 20% operational sales growth [15][16]

Core Insights - Non-US markets represent 75% of the global economy, 90% of the IMF's expected GDP growth, and 95% of the world population, indicating significant investment opportunities outside the US [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The focus is on improving international stock strategies, highlighting the importance of diversifying investments beyond the US [1] - The Expat Portfolio offers resources such as frequent analysis, a watchlist, and market guides to assist investors in navigating foreign markets [2] Group 2: Analyst Background - Tariq Dennison, an experienced RIA, emphasizes the benefits of investing in diverse foreign markets, leveraging his extensive international experience [2] - The Expat Portfolio community provides direct access to expert insights and discussions, enhancing investor confidence in international investments [2]

Performance Summary - Alphabet (GOOG) and Microsoft (MSFT) have both outperformed the S&P 500 in 2025, with Alphabet achieving a performance of +31.98% and Microsoft at +22.81%, compared to the S&P 500's +14.52% [1] Investment Strategy - The focus is on constructing investment portfolios that generate additional income through dividends, emphasizing companies with significant competitive advantages and strong financials [2] - The strategy includes combining high Dividend Yield and Dividend Growth companies to reduce dependence on broader stock market fluctuations [2] - A well-diversified portfolio across various sectors and industries is recommended to minimize volatility and mitigate risk [2] - Incorporating companies with a low Beta Factor is suggested to further reduce the overall risk level of the investment portfolio [2] - The selection process for high dividend yield and growth companies is meticulously curated, prioritizing total return, which includes both capital gains and dividends [2]

Group 1 - The service offers features such as model portfolios with buy/sell alerts, preferred and baby bond portfolios for conservative investors, and dividend and portfolio trackers [1] - The service emphasizes community and education, promoting the idea that investors should not invest alone [1] Group 2 - The article mentions that recommendations are closely monitored, with Buy and Sell alerts exclusive to members [3] - Contributors to the service include Philip Mause and Hidden Opportunities, indicating a collaborative approach to investment insights [3]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the author's extensive background in finance, particularly in corporate finance, M&A, and investment analysis, with a focus on real estate, renewable energy, and equity markets [1] Group 1: Professional Background - The author holds a Master's degree in Banking & Finance from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne [1] - The author's experience spans over 10 years in investment banking, specializing in financial modeling, valuation, and qualitative analysis [1] - The author has hands-on experience in private equity, asset management, and real estate [1] Group 2: Objectives and Engagement - The author aims to share insights and analysis on interesting companies with a global audience through Seeking Alpha [1] - The author is motivated by the goal of empowering informed investment decisions and seeks to connect with readers to grow as a thought leader in finance [1]