Core Insights - The article emphasizes the availability of attractive investment opportunities regardless of market conditions, highlighting the importance of a diversified portfolio in real estate investment trusts (REITs) [1]. Group 1: Company and Analyst Background - Austin Rogers is identified as a REIT specialist with a professional background in commercial real estate, focusing on high-quality dividend growth stocks to generate safe and growing passive income [1]. - The investing group High Yield Landlord is noted as one of the largest real estate investment communities on Seeking Alpha, providing exclusive research and access to analysts [1]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The investment strategy discussed revolves around a lifelong holding period, prioritizing portfolio income growth over total returns [1].

Group 1 - The concept of achieving financial independence or retirement often requires substantial capital accumulation over many years [1] - Roberts Berzins has over a decade of experience in financial management, focusing on corporate financial strategies and large-scale financings [1] - Berzins has contributed to the institutionalization of the REIT framework in Latvia to enhance liquidity in pan-Baltic capital markets [1] Group 2 - His policy-level work includes developing national SOE financing guidelines and frameworks to channel private capital into affordable housing [1] - Berzins holds a CFA Charter and an ESG investing certificate, and has interned at the Chicago Board of Trade [1] - He is actively involved in thought-leadership activities aimed at supporting the development of pan-Baltic capital markets [1]

Company Overview - Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the retail industry, owning approximately 15,600 properties globally and maintaining significant cash and credit for acquisitions [5] - The company has expanded its focus beyond the U.S. and essentials retailers, with over 14% of its properties now in industrials and more than 11% located in the U.K. [6] Business Model and Resilience - Realty Income's model is tariff-resistant, primarily leasing to large, established retail chains that are likely to continue paying rent even during economic downturns [9] - The company benefits from a diverse tenant base, with grocery and convenience stores making up over 20% of its properties, and top clients including 7-Eleven, Dollar General, and Walgreens [7] Growth Opportunities - Realty Income has identified a global addressable market of $14 trillion and sourced $43 billion in opportunities for 2024, indicating strong growth potential [10] - The company plans to grow through property acquisitions and by acquiring smaller REITs, with decreasing interest rates facilitating easier capital access for these activities [10] Dividend Performance - Realty Income has a long-standing history of paying monthly dividends for over 54 years, with a track record of 658 consecutive months [12] - The current dividend yield is approximately 5.6%, which is more than three times the average S&P 500 dividend yield, providing a secure passive income stream [13][14]

FerdiS invests in dividend growth stocks and writes options to boost dividend income. He manages DivGro, a portfolio of mainly dividend growth stocks created in January 2013. He tracks his portfolio at DivGro-2-0.com. With investment and trading experience spanning more than 20 years, FerdiS enjoys writing articles about dividend growth investing, options trading, stock selection, portfolio management, and passive income generation. FerdiS collaborates with the founders of Portfolio Insight, an online platf ...

Most dividend stocks make quarterly payments. That can make it a bit challenging for those seeking regular passive income to help cover their monthly expenses. You'd need to buy dividend stocks with staggered payment schedules to help align your income with your monthly bills. A much easier option is to invest in monthly dividend stocks. Several companies, most notably real estate investment trusts (REITs), pay their dividends each month, including Agree Realty (ADC 0.07%), EPR Properties (EPR 0.10%), and S ...

The energy midstream sector has been a great spot for investors to go if they want to make some passive income. Many companies in this sector produce very stable cash flow as oil and gas flow through their pipelines and related midstream assets. That gives them money to pay lucrative dividends and invest in growing their businesses.Enbridge (ENB 0.82%), Enterprise Products Partners (EPD 1.79%), and Kinder Morgan (KMI -0.97%) are among the top options, according to a few Fool.com contributors, for those seek ...

Group 1: Coca-Cola (KO) - Coca-Cola stock is up over 16% in 2025, contrasting with a more than 5% decline in the S&P 500 index, indicating its status as a safe haven during market turbulence [3][6] - The stock offers a near 2.8% dividend yield and is relatively insulated from tariffs due to local production and minimal exposure to packaging material costs [4][6] - Coca-Cola's core beverage is considered a consumer staple, making it less vulnerable to economic downturns [5] Group 2: Waste Management (WM) - WM stock has increased over 13% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7] - The company reported a 16.7% increase in revenue and a 12.2% growth in adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025, largely due to the acquisition of Stericycle for $7.2 billion [8][9] - WM benefits from long-term contracts and a diverse customer base, providing insulation from economic fluctuations and trade tensions [10][11] - The company has consistently increased its dividend, with a 10% raise to $3.30 per share, and has reduced its share count by 11% over the last decade [12][13] Group 3: American Electric Power (AEP) - AEP stock has risen over 17% in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500, which has declined more than 5% [14] - The company operates as a regulated utility, ensuring stable returns and predictable financial planning for capital expenditures, including $54 billion for infrastructure upgrades from 2025 to 2029 [16] - AEP has maintained an average payout ratio of 69% over the past five years, balancing shareholder value growth with necessary upgrades [17] - Currently, AEP is valued at 8.9 times operating cash flow, below its five-year average of 9.3, making it an attractive option for income investors [18]

Core Viewpoint - Investing in W.P. Carey provides an opportunity for passive income through its high-yield real estate investment trust (REIT) structure, which offers a nearly 6% yield compared to the S&P 500's sub-1.5% dividend yield [2] Group 1: Company Overview - W.P. Carey owns a diversified portfolio of 1,614 high-quality commercial properties across North America and Europe, including industrial, warehouse, and retail spaces, secured by long-term net leases [3] - The REIT's net lease portfolio generates stable and growing rental income, with half of its leases linked to inflation and 47% raising rents at a fixed rate [4] Group 2: Financial Strategy - W.P. Carey aims to distribute 70% to 75% of its stable cash flow as dividends while retaining the remainder for reinvestment in income-generating real estate [5] - The company has invested $1.6 billion in new properties last year and plans to invest between $1 billion and $1.5 billion this year, with $448.6 million already completed [8] Group 3: Growth and Dividend Policy - Rising rental income from existing properties and strategic investments in new properties provide a solid growth base for W.P. Carey [6] - The company has increased its dividend by 2.9% over the past year and aims to grow its payout in line with its adjusted funds from operations (FFO), which rose by 2.6% in the first quarter [9]

My desire is to eventually become financially independent. I want to reach the point where my investments produce enough passive income to cover my basic living expenses. That would remove all the stress of needing to work to pay the bills. I strive to make progress toward my goal of reaching financial freedom every month. One way I do that is by investing in dividend-paying stocks. I look for high-quality companies with higher-yielding payouts that steadily rise. That combination of yield and growth should ...

Group 1: Passive Income and Investment Opportunities - Generating passive income can lead to financial freedom and increased independence [1] - Investing in high-yield dividend stocks, particularly in the food and beverage industry, is a viable strategy for passive income [2] Group 2: Mondelez - Mondelez has a current dividend yield of 2.9%, which is more than double the S&P 500's yield of 1.4% [3] - The company owns iconic brands like Oreo and Cadbury, generating billions in revenue and free cash flow, supporting a 10.5% compound annual growth rate in dividends over the past five years [4] - Mondelez aims for organic revenue growth of 3% to 5% annually, supporting high-single-digit EPS growth, and has a strong balance sheet for acquisitions [5] Group 3: PepsiCo - PepsiCo offers a dividend payout of 4.1% and plans to increase it by 5% starting in June, marking 53 consecutive years of dividend growth [6] - The company has a diverse portfolio of brands, many generating over $1 billion in annual sales, with durable demand [7] - PepsiCo invests in product innovation and productivity, expecting 4% to 6% annual organic revenue growth and high-single-digit EPS growth, with a strong balance sheet for acquisitions [8] Group 4: Starbucks - Starbucks has a dividend yield of 2.9% and has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years, with a 20% compound annual growth rate during that period [9] - The company sees potential to double its U.S. store footprint and expand internationally, with over 40,000 stores currently [9] - Starbucks aims to enhance sales growth and profitability by focusing on coffee and improving customer experience [10] Group 5: Industry Overview - The food and beverage sector is characterized by steadily rising revenue and cash flow, enabling companies to pay growing dividends [12] - Companies like Mondelez, PepsiCo, and Starbucks are highlighted as strong candidates for passive income due to their enticing and steadily increasing dividends [12]