Dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have gained traction in 2025. It has helped investors navigate the market uncertainties while ensuring steady passive income. ...

Key Points Many investors probably haven't heard of this high-yielding mid-cap, but some gamblers know its products well. The shares sport an eye-catching dividend yield, and the company is showing commitment to growing the payout. It operates in a recession-resilient corner of the wagering world. 10 stocks we like better than Brightstar Lottery Plc › Following some 2015 tinkering with the game format, the odds of winning a Powerball jackpot lengthened to 1-in-292.2 million from 1-in-175.2 milli ...

Key Points Pfizer has a substantial 6.6% dividend yield but a payout ratio exceeding 100%. Eli Lilly has a payout ratio of roughly 30%, but its dividend yield is a tiny 0.6%. Long-term income investors can find the middle ground with a 3.4% yield and a 45% payout ratio from Merck. 10 stocks we like better than Merck › Dividend investors need to be cautious about reaching too far for yield since this can open them up to added risks. At the same time, they must ensure that they are generating an a ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a stock portfolio for investors nearing or in retirement, highlighting the need for a balance of reliable income, low volatility, and consistent dividend growth [1] Investment Strategy - A well-structured stock portfolio should focus on generating dependable income streams, which is crucial for retirees [1] - Low volatility is essential to minimize risks associated with market fluctuations, providing a sense of security for investors [1] - Consistent dividend growth is a key factor in maintaining and enhancing income over time, making it an attractive feature for retirement portfolios [1]

Core Viewpoint - Gabelli Funds has launched the Keeley Dividend ETF (KDVD) on the NYSE, targeting dividend-paying small- and mid-cap companies for income and capital appreciation [1][2] Fund Overview - KDVD is an actively managed ETF that aims to invest in a diverse range of dividend-paying stocks, from modest payers to higher yielding names, utilizing Gabelli's fundamental, bottom-up research approach [2] - The fund is managed by experienced portfolio managers Thomas E. Browne, Jr. and Brian P. Leonard, who have over 16 years of experience in managing dividend strategies [1] Market Context - The current market conditions are favorable for dividend investors, as valuations in small- and mid-cap equities are more attractive compared to large-cap stocks, and dividend strategies have underperformed in recent years [2] Fee Structure - To promote the new ETF, Gabelli is waiving the standard 0.90% management fee for the first year after inception, after which the fund will revert to its regular fee schedule [3]

Core Viewpoint - Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) is recognized for its high and sustainable distribution yield, appealing to dividend investors, but its stock performance has not consistently matched market growth [1][2]. Performance Analysis - **One-Year Performance**: Over the past year, Enterprise's stock has underperformed, with a loss of 0.7% compared to the S&P 500's gain of 12.9%. A significant drop of 15% occurred in early April due to investor concerns over new tariffs [4][6]. - **Three-Year Performance**: Over three years, Enterprise's total return has fluctuated, at times outperforming the S&P 500, but ultimately lagging behind with a total return of 63% compared to the S&P 500's 75.9% [7][8]. - **Five-Year Performance**: In contrast, over five years, Enterprise has shown strong performance with a total return of 127.4%, surpassing the S&P 500's 99.5%. This success is attributed to better performance during a challenging 2022 for the overall market and the compounding effect of reinvested dividends [9][10]. Key Financial Metrics - **Current Price**: $32.61 with a market capitalization of $71 billion [5][6]. - **Dividend Yield**: The current dividend yield stands at 6.62%, which is a significant part of the investment thesis for Enterprise [6]. - **Gross Margin**: The company has a gross margin of 12.74% [6].

Core Viewpoint - Altria presents a high dividend yield of 7.2%, but the sustainability of the business supporting this dividend is questionable due to declining volumes in its primary smokable tobacco products [1][11]. Business Overview - Altria operates in the consumer staples sector, with smokable tobacco products accounting for 88% of its revenue [4]. - Unlike typical consumer staples, tobacco is not a necessity but relies on the addictive nature of nicotine to maintain customer loyalty [5]. Volume and Revenue Trends - The volume of Altria's smokable products has been in decline, with a reported drop of 8% in Q3 2025 and a 10.3% decline over the first nine months of the year [6]. - Revenue fell by 3% in Q3 2025 and approximately 3.4% for the first nine months, despite adjusted earnings rising by 3.6% and 5.9% respectively [7]. Pricing Strategy - The decline in volume has not led to a proportional revenue decline due to price increases, which have historically offset volume losses; however, this trend is now contributing to the volume problem [8]. Share Buybacks and Cost-Cutting - Altria's earnings growth has been supported by stock buybacks, with 1.9 million shares repurchased in Q3 2025, totaling 12.3 million shares for the first nine months [9]. - Cost-cutting measures have also contributed to maintaining the bottom line, but the overall business remains under significant pressure [10]. Future Outlook - The long-term outlook for Altria appears challenging, as the company is betting on management's ability to sustain the declining smokable tobacco business while developing new revenue streams [11]. - Previous attempts to diversify into vaping and marijuana have resulted in substantial financial losses, raising concerns about the risk-reward balance for investors [12].

Core Viewpoint - Investors seeking dividends may find real estate investment trusts (REITs) appealing due to their tax structure requiring a minimum of 90% of taxable income to be distributed as dividends [1] REIT Specialization and Economic Challenges - REITs typically focus on various property types, with retail being a significant sector, which can face challenges during economic downturns, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and the interest rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 [2] Performance Recovery - Many REITs have recovered from previous economic challenges, with retail-focused REITs returning an average of 6.9% for the first nine months of 2025 [3] Realty Income Overview - Realty Income owns over 15,540 properties, with approximately 80% of its rent derived from retail, including grocery and convenience stores [4] - The company boasts a 98.7% occupancy rate and has increased its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) by 2.9% year-over-year to $1.09 per diluted share [5] Realty Income Key Metrics - Realty Income has a market capitalization of $53 billion, a dividend yield of 5.62%, and has consistently increased dividends for over three decades [7] - The company projects an AFFO per share of $4.25 to $4.27, comfortably covering its annualized dividend of $3.23 [7] NNN REIT Overview - NNN REIT manages nearly 3,700 properties across various retail sectors, maintaining a high occupancy rate of 97.5% [9] - The company's quarterly AFFO per share increased from $0.84 to $0.86 [9] NNN REIT Key Metrics - NNN REIT has a market capitalization of $8 billion, a dividend yield of 5.74%, and has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years [11] - The projected AFFO per share is between $3.41 and $3.45, ensuring sufficient coverage for its dividend payments [11] Investment Considerations - Both Realty Income and NNN REIT have demonstrated resilience in a challenging retail environment, with strong dividend histories and similar yields [13] - The choice between the two depends on investor preference for Realty Income's larger, diversified portfolio versus NNN REIT's smaller, growth-oriented focus [14]

Core Insights - Clearway Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CWEN) is recognized as one of the best utility dividend stocks to buy now [1] - The company has announced a 1.62% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.4528 per share, reflecting its commitment to shareholders [2][3] - Clearway Energy has a robust annual dividend yield of 5.08% and aims for long-term annual growth of 5% to 8% [3][4] Company Performance - Clearway Energy's portfolio includes approximately 11.8 GW of gross generating capacity across 26 states, making it one of the largest owners of clean energy generation assets in the U.S. [2] - The company reported impressive third-quarter performance, more than doubling its net income compared to the previous year, aided by lower tax expenses, new investments, and favorable wind patterns [4] - The share price of Clearway Energy has increased by over 35% since the beginning of 2025 [4]

Core Insights - The YieldMax GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF (GOOY) was previously rated as a hold due to volatility and uncertainty in distributions, but the current analysis suggests a more favorable outlook [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company emphasizes 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] Group 2: Performance and Positioning - The analyst has a beneficial long position in GOOY and GOOG, indicating confidence in the potential of these investments [2]