Deere & Company DE will release its second-quarter earnings results before the opening bell on Thursday, May 15. Analysts expect the Moline, Illinois-based company to report quarterly earnings at $5.64 per share, down from $8.53 per share in the year-ago period. According to data from Benzinga Pro, Deere projects quarterly revenue at $10.79 billion, compared to $13.61 billion a year earlier. On April 22, Oppenheimer analyst Kristen Owen maintained Deere with an Outperform rating and raised the price target ...

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Gas (SWX) is making strategic investments to enhance its infrastructure and operations, benefiting from consistent customer growth, making it a solid investment option in the utility sector [1] Growth Projections & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 5.4% to $3.73 over the past 30 days [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is projected at $5.25 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 2.8% [2] - The long-term earnings growth rate for SWX is estimated at 9.5%, with an average earnings surprise of 6% over the past four quarters [2] Dividend Yield - The company plans to align its dividend payout ratio with that of its gas utility peers post-separation of Centuri [3] - Currently, SWX's quarterly dividend is 62 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $2.48 and a dividend yield of 3.55%, which is significantly higher than the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's yield of 1.53% [3] Debt Position - Southwest Gas has a total debt to capital ratio of 57.88%, which is better than the sector average of 59.9%, indicating a stronger financial position and reduced reliance on borrowed funds [4] Focus on Strategic Investments - The company plans to invest $4.3 billion from 2025 to 2029, with an expected capital expenditure of $880 million in 2025 to support customer growth and system improvements [5] Consistent Customer Growth - SWX has a diversified customer base across Arizona, Nevada, and California, having installed 40,000 first-time meter sets in the year ending March 31, 2025 [6] - The company anticipates a 1.4% annual growth in customers through 2029, which will drive demand and enhance performance [6] Stock Price Performance - Over the past two years, SWX shares have increased by 22%, outperforming the industry's growth of 5.7% [7]

Cisco Systems, Inc. CSCO will release its third-quarter financial results after the closing bell on Wednesday, May 14. So, an investor would need to own approximately $225,651 worth of Cisco, or 3,659 shares to generate a monthly dividend income of $500. Assuming a more conservative goal of $100 monthly ($1,200 annually), we do the same calculation: $1,200 / $1.64 = 732 shares, or $45,142 to generate a monthly dividend income of $100. Investors should note that dividend yields can change on a rolling basis. ...

Company Overview - SJW (HTO) is headquartered in San Jose and operates in the Utilities sector, specifically in water supply [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of 5.55% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - SJW is currently paying a dividend of $0.42 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.23%, which is higher than the Utility - Water Supply industry's yield of 2.47% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.53% [3] - The annualized dividend of $1.68 has increased by 5% from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 5.70% over the last five years [4] - The current payout ratio for SJW is 55%, indicating that it pays out 55% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SJW's earnings in 2025 is $2.97 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 0.68% [5] Investment Appeal - SJW is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment Inc. has experienced an 11.6% decline in share price over the past three months, which is more significant than the industry's decline of 8.5%, reflecting broader challenges in the mortgage market due to rate volatility [1][4]. Price Performance - AGNC's peers, Annaly Capital Management and Arbor Realty Trust, have also seen declines of 5% and 21.4%, respectively, in the same period [1]. - Despite recent price drops, AGNC offers attractive long-term returns with a high dividend yield, which may attract investors [4]. Interest Rate Environment - AGNC's performance is heavily influenced by the interest rate environment, particularly decisions made by the Federal Reserve [5]. - The company's net interest income (NII) fell dramatically from $965 million in 2022 to just $18 million in 2024 due to rising borrowing costs [6]. - A reduction in interest rates by 100 basis points in 2024 positively impacted AGNC's NII, which rose to $159 million in Q1 2025 from a negative $30 million in the same quarter the previous year [7]. Mortgage Rates and Activity - Recent trends show a slight decline in mortgage rates, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.76% as of May 8, 2025, down from 7.09% a year prior [7]. - Lower mortgage rates are expected to boost origination and refinancing activities, which could enhance AGNC's NII and portfolio value [8][21]. Dividend Yield - AGNC's current dividend yield stands at 16.38%, significantly higher than the industry average of 12.03%, making it an attractive option for income-seeking investors [10]. - The company has a payout ratio of 81% and is engaged in a stock repurchase plan, authorizing up to $1 billion in buybacks through December 31, 2026 [11]. Agency MBS Outlook - AGNC focuses on agency mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), which are backed by U.S. government guarantees, positioning it well in this market segment [12]. - The outlook for agency MBS has improved, although market volatility has increased following recent tariff announcements [13]. - AGNC generated a positive economic return of 2.4% in Q1 2025, supported by its dividend strategy [14]. Valuation - AGNC is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 5.36X, below the industry average of 7.74X, indicating it may be undervalued [22]. - Compared to peers, AGNC's P/E is lower than Annaly Capital Management's 6.66X and Arbor Realty Trust's 8.44X [22]. Investment Consideration - Given the strong fundamentals, high dividend yield, and potential for growth in a declining rate environment, AGNC stock may be a worthwhile addition to investment portfolios [24].

Group 1 - The focus is on income-producing asset classes such as REITs, ETFs, Preferreds, and 'Dividend Champions' that target premium dividend yields up to 10% [1] - iREIT®+HOYA Capital is highlighted as a premier income-focused investing service that offers sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [2] - The article updates a prior comparison of preferred shares of Eagle Point Income Co Inc., specifically focusing on those with the longest maturities [3] Group 2 - The author has a beneficial long position in shares of IBHH, IBHI, and EICA through various financial instruments [4] - Seeking Alpha emphasizes that past performance does not guarantee future results and that no specific investment recommendations are provided [5]

Core Insights - The primary focus for income investors is generating consistent cash flow from liquid investments, which can come from various sources including dividends [1][2] Company Overview: Chesapeake Utilities - Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) is a utility stock headquartered in Dover, with a year-to-date price change of 4.52% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.64 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.02%, which is lower than the industry average of 3.36% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.59% [3] - The annualized dividend of $2.56 represents a 2% increase from the previous year, with a five-year average annual increase of 9.63% [4] Dividend and Earnings Growth - Chesapeake Utilities has increased its dividend five times over the past five years, with a current payout ratio of 46%, indicating that 46% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) is paid out as dividends [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's earnings in 2025 is $6.25 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 15.96% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors for various reasons, including improving stock investing profits and providing tax advantages, although not all companies offer dividends [6] - High-yielding stocks may face challenges during periods of rising interest rates, but Chesapeake Utilities is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Group 1 - Astrada Advisors provides actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing portfolio performance and uncovering alpha opportunities, backed by a strong track record in investment research at leading global investment banks [1] - The company specializes in technology, media, internet, and consumer sectors across North America and Asia, excelling in identifying high-potential investments and navigating complex industries [1] - Astrada Advisors leverages extensive local and global experience to offer unique insights on market developments, regulatory changes, and emerging risks [1] Group 2 - The research conducted by Astrada Advisors integrates rigorous fundamental analysis with data-driven insights, providing a nuanced understanding of key trends, growth drivers, and competitive landscapes [1] - The focus of the company is to empower investors with timely research and a comprehensive view of industry dynamics, especially in volatile markets or when exploring new trends [1] - Astrada Advisors is committed to delivering superior insights to facilitate informed investment decisions [1]

Company Overview - AGNC Investment is a mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on buying pooled mortgage securities rather than owning physical properties [2][4] - The company aims to profit from the difference between its cost of capital and the interest earned from its mortgage securities [4] Dividend and Total Return - AGNC Investment offers a high dividend yield of 16%, but its primary goal is total return rather than income generation [5][12] - The company encourages investors to reinvest dividends for better long-term outcomes, as relying solely on dividends may lead to reduced income and capital [5][7] Transparency and Valuation - AGNC Investment is transparent about its operations, stating its objective of favorable long-term stockholder returns with a substantial yield component [7] - The tangible net book value (NAV) of AGNC Investment was reported at $8.25 per share, down from $8.41, yet investors are willing to pay above this value, indicating a premium of nearly 25% [9][10] Investment Considerations - Investors should be cautious about paying more than the tangible net book value for AGNC Investment shares, as this could indicate overvaluation [10][12] - The company has historically achieved its total return goal, but potential investors should ensure they are buying for the right reasons and at a reasonable price [13]

Core Viewpoint - Zurich's investment case is primarily focused on income generation through its attractive dividend yield, although its current valuation appears to be relatively high [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Zurich offers an interesting dividend yield, making it appealing for income-focused investors [1]. - The company's valuation is considered somewhat high, which may affect investment decisions [1]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The analysis is conducted by a fund manager/analyst with over 18 years of experience in the financial markets, specializing in the financial sector [1].