Dow (NYSE: DOW ) has been paying dividends continuously since 1912 and today it’s yielding nearly 10%. That’s no coincidence. In a stock market full of pessimism, geopolitical tensions, and demand shortages, Dow stands out as a dividend giant in dire straits. I was intriguedI'm a passionate investor from the Netherlands with 12 years of stock market experience. My articles usually contain a good overview of important investment criteria. A stock for my portfolio is of interest to me if the company has the f ...

Group 1: Pfizer - Pfizer's stock has decreased by approximately 62% from its pandemic highs, yet it offers a high dividend yield of 7.3% [4] - The company's adjusted earnings per share fell from $6.58 in 2022 to $3.11 last year due to declining demand for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments [4][5] - Pfizer anticipates a 6.8% decline in adjusted earnings for the current year, with a projected low of $2.80 per share, which is sufficient to support its annual dividend of $1.72 [5] - The drug Eliquis, which accounts for 14% of Pfizer's revenue, is expected to face competition from generics starting in 2028 [6] - Despite facing patent cliffs, Pfizer has a strong development pipeline, with over a dozen FDA approvals last year, indicating potential for continued dividend growth [7] Group 2: Prologis - Prologis has capitalized on the surge in e-commerce demand, becoming the largest real estate investment trust (REIT) available to everyday investors [8] - The stock has declined by about 12% from its March peak, currently offering a 3.7% yield [8] - Prologis has increased its dividend by 11.7% annually over the past five years, suggesting potential for double-digit yield on cost for investors in less than a decade [9] - Major customers include Amazon, Home Depot, and FedEx, but these tenants only account for 8.2% of total rent payments, showcasing strong diversification [9] - Prologis holds an A2 rating from Moody's and an A rating from S&P Global, with a low average interest rate of 3.1% on its debts [10] - The company can offer competitive rates to smaller competitors and is positioned for continued growth by acquiring and leasing back logistics real estate [11] Group 3: Investment Comparison - Pfizer offers a nearly double yield compared to Prologis, but its dividend growth rate is less than half that of Prologis [12] - For investors nearing retirement, Pfizer may be appealing, while Prologis is suggested as a better option for income-seeking investors [12]

Core Viewpoint - Holding dividend stocks is an effective long-term investment strategy, particularly during economic downturns, with companies that pay regular dividends often being profitable and well-positioned for future growth. Group 1: Coca-Cola (KO) - Coca-Cola has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.5100, maintaining the same amount as the previous period, with the next pay date on April 1, 2025 [2] - The company has raised its dividend for the 63rd consecutive year, now paying an annualized dividend of $2.04 per share, with a sustainable payout ratio of 77.42% [3] - Coca-Cola is expected to achieve 5-6% organic revenue growth, outperforming competitors like Pepsi [3] Group 2: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) - Johnson & Johnson has also increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, with the next estimated dividend amount being $1.3000, payable on June 10, 2025 [4][5] - The company reported a 2.4% year-over-year increase in revenue, with earnings per share (EPS) at $4.54, and currently has a dividend yield of approximately 3.37% [5] Group 3: Pfizer (PFE) - Pfizer's next estimated dividend is $0.4300, with the last declared amount remaining the same, payable on June 13, 2025 [6][7] - Despite declining vaccine revenues, Pfizer is upgrading its drug pipeline with 108 candidates, 30 of which are in Phase 3 [7] - The company boasts a dividend yield of over 7.37%, making it attractive among large-cap healthcare stocks [7]

Group 1 - The approach has received over 180 five-star reviews from members who are experiencing benefits [1] - The company invests significant resources, over $100,000 annually, into researching profitable investment opportunities [1] - High-yield strategies are offered at a fraction of the cost to members [1] Group 2 - Samuel Smith has extensive experience as a lead analyst and Vice President at dividend stock research firms [2] - He holds degrees in Civil Engineering & Mathematics and a Masters in Engineering with a focus on applied mathematics and machine learning [2] - The High Yield Investor group focuses on balancing safety, growth, yield, and value, offering various portfolio services [2]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend investing as a pathway to financial freedom, highlighting its accessibility and potential for steady income [1]. Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The author combines financial expertise with value investing principles, focusing on dividend investing as a foundational strategy for wealth building [1]. - The article aims to demystify dividend investing, making it more approachable for individuals seeking long-term financial growth [1]. Group 2: Professional Background - The author has extensive experience in M&A and business valuation, having evaluated numerous businesses and participated in both sell-side and buy-side transactions [1]. - The sectors of focus include technology, real estate, software, finance, and consumer staples, which are also reflected in the author's personal investment portfolio [1].

Core Insights - Microsoft Corporation is recognized for its advancements in artificial intelligence and office applications, alongside its growth in various business sectors [1] - The Xbox gaming console, despite being a long-standing product, often receives less attention compared to other business segments [1] Company Overview - Microsoft has a significant presence in the artificial intelligence sector, which contributes to its overall business growth [1] - The company continues to innovate and expand its offerings in office applications, enhancing its competitive edge [1] Gaming Segment - The Xbox gaming console has been developed over many years, indicating a long-term commitment to the gaming industry [1] - The gaming aspect of Microsoft's business is frequently overshadowed by its other technological advancements [1]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying major trends for long-term investment success, suggesting that understanding these drivers can enhance the risk/reward profile for investors [1] - It highlights the availability of in-depth research on various income alternatives, including REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs, which can aid investors in making informed decisions [1] Group 2 - The article mentions a free 2-week trial for accessing research, indicating a commitment to providing valuable insights to potential investors [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 with degrees in Civil Engineering & Mathematics and a Master's in Engineering focused 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]

Core Viewpoint - High-yield dividend stocks are highlighted as a reliable source of income for investors, particularly in retirement, with a focus on companies that have a proven track record of consistent dividend payments [1][2]. Group 1: Company Summaries - **Realty Income**: Current yield is 5.6%, known for being one of the largest REITs globally, paying monthly dividends, and has raised dividends for 110 consecutive quarters, with a payout ratio of 75% of anticipated 2025 funds from operations [4][5]. - **Altria Group**: Current yield is 6.7%, recognized as a Dividend King with over 50 years of uninterrupted dividend increases, despite declining cigarette volumes, maintains a payout ratio around 80% of cash flow, and has a significant stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev [6][7][8]. - **British American Tobacco**: Current yield is 6.8%, operates globally with a focus on next-generation nicotine products, has a dividend payout ratio of 66% of cash flow, and has transitioned to a quarterly payment schedule [9][10]. - **Verizon Communications**: Current yield is 6.1%, a leader in the U.S. wireless market with 21 consecutive annual dividend increases, and a payout ratio of only 58% of 2025 earnings estimates [11][12]. - **Enbridge**: Current yield is 5.7%, operates extensive pipelines and utilities, has a strong dividend track record with 28 consecutive annual increases, and maintains a payout ratio of 60% to 70% of distributable cash flow [13][14].

Company Overview - Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) is headquartered in Green Bay and has experienced a price change of -3.05% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.23 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.97%, which is higher than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 3.13% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.57% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $0.92 represents a 3.4% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Associated Banc-Corp has increased its dividend four times, averaging an annual increase of 5.65% [4] - The company's payout ratio is currently 41%, indicating that it pays out 41% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, ASB anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $2.49 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 4.62% [5] Investment Considerations - Associated Banc-Corp is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]