Group 1 - Advent Convertible & Income Fund (NYSE: AVK) aims to provide attractive returns through a portfolio of convertible and high-yield securities, making it suitable for investors seeking steady income [1] - The fund is positioned as 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] - The investment approach emphasizes a balance between growth and income, targeting a total return that aligns with the performance of the S&P [1]

Group 1 - The focus is on growth and dividend income as a strategy for retirement planning [1] - The portfolio is structured to generate monthly dividend income that grows through reinvestment and annual increases [1] Group 2 - The article expresses personal opinions and is not intended as investment advice [2][3] - It emphasizes the importance of conducting individual research before making investment decisions [2]

Group 1 - The article promotes a live video event on Facebook that highlights a portfolio candidate for investment consideration [1] - It encourages audience engagement by inviting comments on favorite or curious stock tickers for future reports [1]

Group 1 - The cost of living is consistently increasing each year, with the expectation that this trend will continue unless a significant economic downturn occurs [1] - The article discusses the author's journey towards financial independence through dividend growth investing, highlighting the importance of this strategy in achieving financial goals [2] - The author has been actively involved in the investment community since 2017 and has contributed to various financial platforms, indicating a commitment to sharing insights on dividend growth stocks [2] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific investment recommendations or guarantees regarding future performance, emphasizing the inherent uncertainties in investment decisions [3] - It is noted that the views expressed in the article may not represent the opinions of the broader Seeking Alpha community, highlighting the diversity of perspectives among contributors [3] - The article clarifies that the authors are not licensed investment advisers, which underscores the importance of conducting independent research before making investment decisions [3]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes a quality-first investment approach, focusing on buying and owning great businesses [1] - The author has been investing since September 2017 and has a strong interest in dividend growth investing since 2009 [1] - The blog "Kody's Dividends" documents the journey towards financial independence through dividend growth investing [1] Group 2 - The author expresses a beneficial long position in the shares of ADC, indicating confidence in the investment [1] - The article is a personal opinion piece and does not represent any business relationship with companies mentioned [1]

Group 1 - The article expresses an optimistic view on mergers, suggesting they typically create synergies and long-term shareholder value [1] Group 2 - The author identifies as a buy-and-hold investor focused on quality blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs, aiming to build investment portfolios for lower and middle-class workers [2] - The author plans to supplement retirement income through dividends within the next 5-7 years [2]

Investment Strategy - The investor adopts a global approach to identify undervalued companies that provide a significant margin of safety, leading to attractive dividend yields and returns [1] - Focus is placed on companies that are well understood and can be reasonably assessed for future growth potential [1] Valuation Metrics - The investor shows particular enthusiasm for companies with a solid earnings track record that are trading at less than 8 times free cash flow [1]

Group 1: UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealth Group's shares are down approximately 44% in 2025, yet it maintains a dividend payout with a yield of 2.9% [4] - The company suspended its earnings outlook due to insufficient premium increases to cover rising healthcare costs, making future earnings predictions challenging [5] - Despite recent challenges, UnitedHealth has increased its dividend payout by 77% over the past five years, indicating strong long-term growth potential [4][5] - The national health expenditure reached $4.9 trillion in 2023, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.8%, which could benefit UnitedHealth in the long run [6] - As the largest employer of medical professionals in the U.S., UnitedHealth has significant leverage to control costs and maintain market share in employer-sponsored health insurance [7] - The company is expected to raise premiums in the future, which could lead to a return to profit growth [8] Group 2: Prologis - Prologis, a real estate investment trust (REIT), has seen its stock decline by about 38% from its 2022 peak, despite raising its dividend payout by 74% over the past five years [9] - The REIT owns approximately 1.3 billion square feet of warehouses, primarily serving e-commerce, and has a strong occupancy rate of 95.5% [9][10] - Prologis relies heavily on the U.S. market for 86% of its net operating income, which provides a stable revenue base [11] - The company benefits from an "A" credit rating from S&P Global and an "A2" rating from Moody's, allowing it to maintain a low average interest rate of 3.2% on outstanding debt [12] - Access to inexpensive capital enables Prologis to offer competitive lease rates, attracting top tenants and supporting continued dividend growth [13]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three modestly priced stocks that offer high dividends, which are Realty Income, AT&T, and Toronto-Dominion Bank, making them attractive options for long-term investors [1][2]. Group 1: Realty Income - Realty Income closed at $57.53, with a year-to-date increase of nearly 8% and a high yield of 5.6% [4][6]. - The REIT has declared dividends for 660 consecutive months and recently increased its monthly dividend for the 131st time [5]. - Realty Income expects occupancy levels above 98% and same-store rent growth of around 1%, with funds from operations rising to $1.05 from $0.94 year-over-year [6]. Group 2: AT&T - AT&T trades at approximately $30 per share and has seen a price increase of over 50% in the past year, trading at 17 times trailing earnings [7][8]. - The dividend yield is 3.8%, and the company anticipates free cash flow of at least $16 billion, significantly exceeding its annual dividend payout of $8.3 billion [9]. - AT&T is acquiring Lumen's Mass Markets fiber business, which will nearly double its fiber locations to around 60 million by 2030, indicating growth potential [9]. Group 3: Toronto-Dominion Bank - Toronto-Dominion Bank offers a dividend yield of 4.1% and has increased its quarterly dividend by 42% over the past five years, averaging a compounded annual growth rate of 7.2% [10]. - The bank reported a profit of 16.8 billion Canadian dollars on revenue of CA$58.8 billion, resulting in a profit margin of around 29% [11]. - Trading at approximately $74 and 1.5 times its book value, TD is considered a good value for income investors [12].

Core Viewpoint - Retail investors are increasingly favoring Ford Motor Company due to its attractive dividend yield, historical performance, and strategic capital management, despite facing significant challenges in the current market environment [1][6][20]. Retail Investor Trends - Retail investors accounted for 25% of equities trading volume in 2021, nearly double the percentage from a decade earlier [2]. - Online brokerages like Robinhood have tailored their platforms to attract retail investors, offering features such as commission-free trades and fractional shares [3]. Ford's Popularity Among Retail Investors - Ford is currently the seventh most-held security on Robinhood, with a 5.14% dividend yield, making it the only ultra-high-yield dividend stock in the top 25 holdings [6][7][14]. - The F-Series trucks have been the best-selling trucks in the U.S. for 48 consecutive years, contributing to Ford's historical consistency and appeal [8]. Financial Performance and Valuation - Ford's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 8, which is significantly lower than the S&P 500's Shiller P/E ratio, indicating a potentially attractive valuation for investors [13][19]. - Despite a 21% decline in stock price over the past decade, Ford's dividend yield and low P/E ratio make it appealing to retail investors [15][20]. Strategic Management and Challenges - Ford has committed up to $50 billion in EV investments through 2026 but announced a delay of up to $12 billion in spending until demand justifies it, which may help improve cash flow [11]. - CEO Jim Farley is focused on improving production quality, with Ford ranking 14th in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study, indicating progress in reducing warranty-related costs [12]. Market Headwinds - Ford faces challenges from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which could impact sales and inflation [16]. - The cyclical nature of the auto industry makes Ford vulnerable to economic downturns, which could affect consumer purchasing behavior [17]. - Uncertainty surrounding the timing of the EV revolution and infrastructure development poses additional risks for Ford's long-term growth [18].