Core Insights - Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) is recognized as one of the Top 15 Growth Stocks for Long-Term Investors [1] - The company is a leading real estate investment trust (REIT) with a diversified property portfolio across various sectors, ensuring consistent rental income through its net lease model [2][3] Financial Strength - Realty Income maintains a strong balance sheet, allowing for steady growth in both its property portfolio and dividend payments [3] - The company distributes approximately 75% of its adjusted funds from operations as dividends, which is a conservative approach for a REIT, enabling reinvestment in income-producing properties [3] Dividend Performance - Realty Income has a notable dividend track record, having increased its dividend 132 times since its public debut in 1994, with 112 consecutive quarterly raises and 30 years of growth [4] - The average annual dividend growth rate since going public is 4.2%, and the company currently offers a monthly dividend of $0.2695 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.55% as of October 12 [4]

Core Insights - Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Food Dividend Stocks to buy according to analysts [1] - The company operates in 34 states and Washington D.C., making it a prominent grocery option for many consumers [2] Business Strategy - Albertsons is adapting to changing consumer habits by integrating traditional grocery shopping with modern conveniences such as online ordering, delivery, and mobile app usage [3] - The company is enhancing its focus on private label products and loyalty programs to retain customers and increase engagement [4] Financial Performance - Albertsons offers a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.45% as of October 5 [5]

Core Insights - Waste Management (WM) is positioned as a leading provider of waste collection, recycling, and landfill services in North America, offering both reliable dividend income and business quality [2] Dividend Growth - WM's board approved a 10% increase in the dividend rate for 2025, raising the quarterly payout from $0.75 to $0.825 per share, marking 22 consecutive years of annual increases [4] - The company has raised its full-year free cash flow outlook to between $2.8 billion and $2.9 billion, indicating strong cash flow to support the dividend [5] Business Performance - WM's core collection and disposal franchise experienced a 7.1% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2, contributing to a total revenue of approximately $6.4 billion, which is a 19% increase year over year [6] - The integration of the Stericycle acquisition has positively impacted growth rates, with CEO Jim Fish highlighting robust organic growth and operational efficiency [7]

Core Insights - Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) is recognized as one of the best affordable dividend stocks to buy now, highlighting its strong position in the market [1][2] - The company operates as a midstream oil and gas operator, providing essential connections between upstream production and downstream refining and chemical processing [2][3] Company Overview - Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is one of the largest midstream operators in North America, functioning as a toll road for the energy industry [2] - The midstream sector is less reactive to commodity price fluctuations, ensuring consistent demand for the services provided by the company [3] Financial Performance - The company has a strong dividend track record, having raised its distributions annually for the past 27 years, supported by reliable cash flows [3] - With an investment-grade balance sheet and a distributable cash flow coverage ratio of 1.7 times the payout, there is potential for further dividend growth [4] - The current quarterly dividend is $0.545 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 7.01% as of October 2 [4]

Group 1 - The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is recognized as one of the Best Dividend Stocks and is included in the Dividend Champions List [1][2] - The company operates electric and gas utilities, as well as providing fiber-optic and wireless communication services, serving over 9 million customers in the Southeast [2] - Southern Company has a significant presence in nuclear energy, managing eight reactors across three facilities, including the recently launched Vogtle Units 3 and 4, marking the first new commercial reactors in the US in about thirty years [3] Group 2 - Utility stocks, including Southern Company, are generally viewed as stable investments due to consistent energy demand and regulatory frameworks that stabilize prices and support infrastructure investment [4] - Southern Company has a strong track record with 24 consecutive years of dividend increases and has paid dividends without interruption for 78 years, with a current quarterly dividend of $0.74 per share and a dividend yield of 3.15% as of October 2 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen's stock presents an attractive long-term investment opportunity despite recent share price declines and upcoming patent cliffs [1][2]. Group 1: Promising Drug Developments - Amgen is developing MariTide, a weight management drug that has shown a mean weight loss of up to 20% over 52 weeks, with a favorable monthly dosing schedule [4][5]. - The anti-obesity market is rapidly growing, and MariTide could generate sales of up to $3.7 billion by 2030, helping Amgen offset losses from patent expirations [6]. - Amgen has a robust pipeline with several ongoing programs, including bemarituzumab, which has shown promising results in a phase 3 study for metastatic gastric cancer [7][8]. Group 2: Recent Product Launches - Amgen's recent product approvals, such as Imdelltra for lung cancer, Tezspire for asthma, and Uplizna for rare diseases, are expected to contribute to top-line growth [9][10]. Group 3: Financial Strength and Dividends - Amgen has a strong dividend track record, having increased its dividend by 201.3% over the past decade, with a current yield of 3.5% [11][12]. - The company's cash payout ratio of 46.5% provides room for further dividend increases, making it an attractive option for investors seeking income [12][13]. Group 4: Valuation - Amgen's shares are considered reasonably valued, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.6, lower than the healthcare industry average of 16.4 [14][15]. - The market may be pricing in upcoming patent losses, but long-term investors could benefit from potential revenue and earnings growth as new products are launched [15].

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. is recognized as one of the top 10 highest dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500, appealing to dividend investors [1] - The company is a leading producer and marketer of tobacco products, including cigarettes and medical products related to tobacco use, but faces uncertainty in its long-term prospects [2] - The tobacco industry is transitioning from traditional combustible cigarettes to smoke-free products, which will significantly impact Altria's future value as growth in traditional tobacco slows [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, approximately 83% of Altria's operating income was derived from traditional smokeable products, while only 17% came from oral tobacco and nicotine offerings, indicating that smoke-free products are not yet a major revenue driver [4] - Altria has a strong dividend history, having raised its dividends 60 times over the past 56 consecutive years, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share with a dividend yield of 6.45% as of September 27 [5]

Core Insights - Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (NYSE:DOC) is recognized as one of the top 10 highest dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500 [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Healthpeak Properties is focused on healthcare real estate, particularly outpatient medical centers, senior living, and life science labs, with a portfolio of over 278 properties across 32 states and a leasing occupancy rate of 94% [2] - The company utilizes triple-net leases, allowing tenants to cover most operating expenses, which provides Healthpeak with a steady cash flow [2] Group 2: Strategic Growth - Recent strategic acquisitions and a planned merger with Physicians Realty Trust in 2024 have expanded Healthpeak's property portfolio, enhancing both size and operational scale [3] - This growth strategy aligns with the healthcare industry's shift towards outpatient services, positioning the company favorably in a changing market [3] Group 3: Dividend Performance - Healthpeak Properties pays a quarterly dividend of $0.1017 per share, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.7%, resulting in a current dividend yield of 6.44% as of September 27 [4]

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is highlighted as a top choice for dividend investors, providing access to a curated selection of high-quality dividend-paying stocks within a vast market of U.S. equities valued at approximately $63 trillion, with a focus on the $30 trillion subset of dividend stocks [1][2]. Group 1: ETF Overview - Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, effectively mimicking the index's performance [3]. - The ETF narrows down the investable universe by selecting stocks that have increased dividends for at least 10 years and excludes real estate investment trusts (REITs) [4]. - A composite score is created for each company based on cash flow to total debt, return on equity, dividend yield, and five-year dividend growth rate, with the top 100 companies included in the ETF [5]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The ETF employs a market cap weighting approach, meaning larger companies have a greater impact on performance, and the holdings are updated annually [6]. - The expense ratio of the ETF is notably low at 0.06%, making it a cost-effective option for investors [6]. Group 3: Performance and Yield - The ETF has shown a consistent upward trend in both dividends and market price since its inception in October 2011, currently offering a dividend yield of approximately 3.7%, which is significantly higher than that of the S&P 500 index [9]. - The ETF's structure allows for a "one and done" investment approach, where investors can rely on the ETF to manage its portfolio over time without needing to actively monitor individual holdings [10]. Group 4: Target Audience - Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is positioned as an ideal investment for those who prioritize dividends, focusing on quality companies with attractive yields and a history of dividend growth [11].

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is positioned to attract more investor interest due to its competitive yield of 3.8% amid a backdrop of falling interest rates, making it an appealing option for those seeking income and inflation protection [2][8]. Group 1: Performance and Yield - Since its launch in 2011, SCHD has returned 211.8%, although it has underperformed the S&P 500, its primary goal remains to provide steady dividend income [2]. - The fund currently pays an annual dividend of $1.03 per share, yielding 3.8%, which is competitive with the U.S. ten-year Treasury yield and sufficient to outpace current inflation rates near 3% [3]. Group 2: Institutional Activity - Recent institutional activity shows mixed signals, with Bank of America and Raymond James reducing their positions in SCHD, likely due to lower interest rates favoring more profitable lending activities [4]. - Conversely, firms like Osaic Holdings and MML Investors Services have increased their stakes in SCHD, indicating a strategy to hedge against inflation while securing dividend income [5]. Group 3: Sector Exposure - SCHD's portfolio includes significant holdings in the energy sector, such as ConocoPhillips and Chevron, which could provide capital appreciation if inflation drives oil prices higher [6][7]. - This combination of income and growth potential makes SCHD an attractive option for investors looking for stability and upside in their portfolios [8].