Core Viewpoint - The article discusses three ultra-high-yield dividend stocks that investors should consider, highlighting their strong performance and growth potential in the current market environment. Group 1: Ares Capital - Ares Capital has a forward yield of 9.3% and has maintained stable or growing payouts for 15 consecutive years [3][5] - The company has the highest regular dividend growth over the last 10 years among externally managed business development companies with a market cap over $700 million [3] - Ares Capital primarily provides capital to middle-market businesses, representing a $3 trillion opportunity, with an additional $2.4 trillion from companies with revenues over $1 billion [4] - The company is well-positioned to capture market share, being the largest publicly traded business development company with a strong balance sheet and deep industry relationships [5] - Concerns regarding the CEO transition are mitigated by the new CEO's extensive experience within the company and industry [6] Group 2: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners offers a forward yield of 6.9% and has increased its distribution for 26 consecutive years [7] - The company has demonstrated resilience in its cash flows during economic downturns, including the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic [8] - Global demand for liquid hydrocarbons is expected to grow, with the U.S. maintaining a competitive advantage due to low production costs, positively impacting Enterprise's growth prospects [9] Group 3: Verizon Communications - Verizon Communications has a forward dividend yield of 6.3% and has increased its payouts for 18 straight years [10] - Despite a declining stock market, Verizon's share price has risen due to limited exposure to tariffs and strong business performance [11][12] - The company is expanding its offerings through the acquisition of Frontier Communications, expected to close in Q1 2026, which will enhance its products and services for consumers and small businesses [13]

Company Overview - ConnectOne Bancorp (CNOB) is based in Englewood Cliffs and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -0.74% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.18 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.17%, which is higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.87% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.64% [3] Dividend Performance - The annualized dividend of $0.72 represents a 1.4% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, ConnectOne Bancorp has increased its dividend 4 times, achieving an average annual increase of 18.45% [4] - The current payout ratio is 38%, indicating that the company pays out 38% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projects earnings of $2.48 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 36.26% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - While established firms are typically viewed as the best dividend options, high-growth businesses and tech start-ups rarely offer dividends [7] - CNOB is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Company Overview - Acadia Realty Trust (AKR) is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Rye, operating in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price decline of 19.12% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - Acadia Realty Trust currently pays a dividend of $0.20 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.09% [3] - The industry average yield for REIT and Equity Trust - Retail is 4.41%, while the S&P 500 yield is 1.64% [3] - The annualized dividend of $0.80 represents an 8.1% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, the company has increased its dividend twice year-over-year, averaging a 6.36% annual increase [4] - The current payout ratio is 59%, indicating that 59% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) is distributed as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $1.36 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 6.25% [5] Investment Appeal - Acadia Realty Trust is viewed as an attractive dividend investment and a compelling opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Industry Overview - The oil and gas industry is crucial for the global economy, providing primary energy sources for various sectors including transportation and manufacturing [1] - Despite the shift towards renewable energy, oil and gas remain essential due to their high energy density and established infrastructure [1] Devon Energy Corporation (DVN) - Devon Energy is a leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the U.S., focusing on high-quality assets and strategic acquisitions to enhance production [2] - The company has been managing costs effectively by selling higher-cost assets and bringing lower-cost production assets online [2] - Devon's earnings estimates indicate a year-over-year decline of 5.81% for 2025, with a slight growth of 1.1% expected in 2026 [5] - Current dividend yield for Devon Energy is 3.07%, with 11 dividend increases in the past five years [20] - Devon Energy's debt to capital ratio is 36.35%, indicating a lower reliance on debt compared to its peers [14] - The company plans to invest between $3.8 billion and $4 billion in 2025, following a $3.64 billion investment in 2024 [18] Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) - Occidental Petroleum operates across upstream exploration, midstream logistics, and chemical manufacturing, focusing on strong hydrocarbon volumes [3] - The company's earnings estimates suggest a significant year-over-year decline of 26.01% for 2025, with a recovery of 19.42% expected in 2026 [9] - Current dividend yield for Occidental Petroleum is 2.38%, with five dividend increases in the past five years [20] - Occidental's debt to capital ratio stands at 42.01%, indicating a higher reliance on debt compared to Devon [14] - The company plans to invest between $7.4 billion and $7.6 billion in 2025, following over $7 billion in investments to strengthen operations [19] Comparative Analysis - Devon Energy has a higher return on equity (ROE) of 22.52% compared to Occidental's 16.33%, both exceeding the sector average of 15.44% [11] - Devon Energy is trading at a lower EV/EBITDA ratio of 3.76X compared to Occidental's 5.09X, while the sector average is 4.38X [15] - In the past three months, Devon Energy shares declined by 11.1%, while Occidental's shares fell by 15.8% [22] - Devon Energy's strategic focus on multi-basin domestic assets provides a competitive edge, helping to mitigate geopolitical and regulatory risks faced by Occidental [24][25]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are becoming skeptical about the safety of dividends when yields exceed 5%, with Pfizer's current yield at approximately 7.5% raising concerns about potential cuts [1][2]. Dividend Analysis - Pfizer's current quarterly dividend is $0.43, totaling $1.72 annually, while its diluted EPS for 2024 is $1.41, indicating that the EPS is below the annual dividend rate [3]. - The payout ratio, which compares dividends to EPS, is a critical metric for assessing dividend sustainability, but it can be misleading due to non-cash items affecting earnings [4]. Free Cash Flow - Pfizer's free cash flow for the previous year was $9.8 billion, with cash dividend payments at $9.5 billion, suggesting that the dividend payout is sustainable as free cash exceeds dividend payments [5][6]. - The company’s free cash flow metric is essential as it excludes non-cash items, providing a clearer picture of cash generation [5]. Investment Potential - Pfizer's stock is trading at a low valuation of 8 times its estimated future earnings, presenting a potential bargain for income investors [7]. - The CEO has referred to the dividend as a "sacred cow," indicating a strong commitment to maintaining the dividend policy despite potential risks from tariffs [8]. Long-term Outlook - Despite a decline in stock price this year, Pfizer may be a suitable long-term investment in the healthcare sector, allowing investors to hold without frequent monitoring [9].

Company Overview - Hanmi Financial is headquartered in Los Angeles and has experienced a price change of -3.73% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.27 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.75%, which is higher than the Banks - West industry's yield of 3.33% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.65% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Hanmi Financial is $1.08, reflecting an 8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend three times year-over-year, with an average annual increase of 27.60% [4] - The company's payout ratio stands at 51%, indicating that it paid out 51% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Hanmi Financial anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $2.55 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 24.39% [5] Investment Considerations - Hanmi Financial is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Company Overview - Civista Bancshares (CIVB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Sandusky, with a price change of 0.1% so far this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.17 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.23%, which is lower than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 3.44% but significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.65% [3] Dividend Performance - The annualized dividend of Civista Bancshares is $0.68, reflecting a 6.3% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, the company has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis, achieving an average annual increase of 9.33% [4] - The current payout ratio is 30%, indicating that the company paid out 30% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Expectations - Civista Bancshares is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $2.35 per share, representing a 16.92% increase from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - The company is viewed as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Company Overview - Banco Santander-Chile (BSAC) is headquartered in Santiago, Chile, and has experienced a price change of 30.01% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $1.01 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.1%, which is higher than the Banks - Foreign industry's yield of 3.84% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.65% [3] Dividend Performance - The annualized dividend of $1.01 represents a 77.5% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last five years, BSAC has increased its dividend three times year-over-year, averaging an annual increase of 9.01% [4] - The current payout ratio is 29%, indicating that the company paid out 29% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Expectations - BSAC is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $2.15 per share, reflecting a 14.36% increase from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - BSAC is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a met ...

Honeywell International Inc. HON will release its first-quarter financial results before the opening bell on Tuesday, April 29. Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as the dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time. The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the current stock price. As the stock price changes, the dividend yield will also change. For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and its current price is $50, its divi ...