Core Insights - The article discusses the author's background in analytics and accounting, highlighting over 10 years of experience in the investment arena, progressing from an analyst to a management role [1]. Group 1 - The author holds a master's degree in Analytics from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting [1]. - The author has a personal interest in dividend investing and aims to share insights with the Seeking Alpha community [1].

Company Overview - Essential Utilities (WTRG) is based in Bryn Mawr and operates in the Utilities sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 2.78% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.33 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.49%, which is higher than the Utility - Water Supply industry's yield of 2.53% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Essential Utilities is $1.30, reflecting a 2.8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 6.53% [4] - The current payout ratio is 58%, indicating that the company paid out 58% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth and Investment Appeal - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projects earnings of $2.10 per share, which represents a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 6.60% [5] - Essential Utilities is considered an attractive investment opportunity due to its strong dividend yield and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting favorable market conditions for the stock [6]

Company Overview - Invesco (IVZ) is headquartered in Atlanta and operates in the finance sector, specifically in investment management [3] - The company's stock has experienced a price change of -0.29% year-to-date [3] Dividend Information - Invesco currently pays a dividend of $0.21 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.82%, which is significantly higher than the Financial - Investment Management industry's yield of 3.03% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] - The annualized dividend of $0.84 represents a 3.1% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Invesco has increased its dividend five times, averaging an annual increase of 7.66% [4] - The current payout ratio is 45%, indicating that Invesco pays out 45% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Invesco anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $1.80 per share, reflecting a 5.26% increase from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - Invesco is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend yield and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] - The company is positioned as a better dividend option compared to high-growth firms or tech start-ups, which typically do not offer dividends [6]

Company Overview - BNP Paribas SA (BNPQY) is headquartered in Paris and has experienced a price change of 45.76% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $2.01 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.49%, which is higher than the Banks - Foreign industry's yield of 3.33% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $2.01 represents a 9% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, BNP Paribas has increased its dividend 4 times, achieving an average annual increase of 9.87% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 35%, indicating that it pays out 35% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, BNP Paribas expects solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $5.61 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 0.54% [5] Investment Considerations - BNP Paribas is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend performance and current stock ranking of 3 (Hold) by Zacks [6]

Company Overview - Ares Capital (NASDAQ: ARCC) is identified as a leading business development company (BDC) that specializes in providing debt and equity financing to U.S. middle-market businesses, which are noted for their strong market positions [1]. Investment Strategy - The company emphasizes dividend investing as a key strategy for achieving financial freedom, highlighting its accessibility and effectiveness in building long-term wealth [1]. Analyst Expertise - The analyst possesses extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and business valuation, having evaluated numerous businesses and participated in both sell-side and buy-side transactions [1]. Sector Focus - Ares Capital's investment focus spans various sectors, including technology, real estate, software, finance, and consumer staples, which form the core of its portfolio [1].

Group 1 - Samuel Smith has extensive experience in dividend stock research and investment, having served as lead analyst and Vice President at notable firms [1] - He is a Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional, holding degrees in Civil Engineering & Mathematics and a Masters in Engineering with a focus on applied mathematics and machine learning [1] - Samuel leads the High Yield Investor investing group, collaborating with Jussi Askola and Paul R. Drake to balance safety, growth, yield, and value in investment strategies [2] Group 2 - High Yield Investor provides real-money core, retirement, and international portfolios, along with regular trade alerts and educational content [2] - The service includes an active chat room for investors to share insights and strategies [2]

Group 1 - The article discusses the author's past experiences with investing, particularly the tendency to chase hype stocks that resulted in losses [1] - The author emphasizes a preference for dividend investing in quality blue-chip stocks, Business Development Companies (BDCs), and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) [1] - The goal is to help lower and middle-class workers build investment portfolios focused on high-quality, dividend-paying companies to achieve financial independence [1] Group 2 - The author has a beneficial long position in the shares of PepsiCo (PEP) through stock ownership or derivatives [2] - The article expresses the author's personal opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company mentioned [2] - There is a disclaimer regarding the past performance of investments and the lack of recommendations for specific investment suitability [3]

Group 1 - The analyst has nearly 14 years of experience in the financial industry, covering small and medium-cap companies in Europe, the United States, and South America [1] - The focus is on mature industries such as mining, oil and gas, and real estate, with a preference for M&A deals, deep value investments, and dividend investing [1] - The target internal rate of return for investments is approximately 5%-7% [1] Group 2 - The analyst holds a beneficial long position in the shares of SOIEF, indicating a personal investment interest [2] - The article expresses the analyst's own opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company mentioned [2] - There is no business relationship with any company whose stock is discussed in the article [2]

Company Overview - Horace Mann (HMN) is headquartered in Springfield and has experienced a price change of 3.44% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.35 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.45%, which is significantly higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.8% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Horace Mann is $1.40, reflecting a 2.9% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, the company has increased its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 3.20% [4] - The current payout ratio is 38%, indicating that the company paid out 38% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $3.99 per share, representing a 25.47% increase from the previous year [5] - The company is positioned as a strong dividend play, appealing to income investors due to its solid earnings growth expectations [6] Investment Considerations - Established firms with secure profits are typically viewed as the best dividend options, while high-growth businesses often do not offer dividends [6] - Horace Mann is considered a compelling investment opportunity, not only for its strong dividend yield but also due to its current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6]

Company Overview - MGIC Investment (MTG) is a mortgage insurance company headquartered in Milwaukee, operating in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of 9.11% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - MGIC Investment currently pays a dividend of $0.13 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.01%, which is higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.8% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $0.52 has increased by 6.1% from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, MGIC Investment has raised its dividend 4 times, achieving an average annual increase of 20.17% [4] - The current payout ratio is 17%, indicating that the company pays out 17% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MGIC Investment's earnings in 2025 is $2.92 per share, with an expected increase of 0.34% from the previous year [5] - Earnings growth appears solid for the current fiscal year [5] Investment Considerations - MGIC Investment is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] - The company is positioned well compared to high-growth firms or tech start-ups, which typically do not provide dividends [6]