Northrop Grumman and RTX  fell 12.2% and 8.8%, respectively, on April 22 compared to a 1.9% gain for Lockheed Martin (LMT -0.19%).All three defense contractors reported earnings on the same day, with Northrop missing badly on sales and earnings, and lowering its full-year outlook, and RTX guiding for a $850 million full-year tariff impact on operating profit. Meanwhile, Lockheed reaffirmed its full-year outlook -- a noticeable reprieve after it fell 9.2% in a single session following its January report.Here ...

In defense of the Magnificent Seven Before diving into the attractive qualities of the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF, it's worth mentioning that it's a mistake to bail on the Magnificent Seven just because their stock prices are lower this year. The group boasts numerous competitive advantages and robust balance sheets. And the sell-off has only made their valuations more attractive for long-term investors. Risk-tolerant investors may want to consider top names in the Magnificent Seven, such as Meta Plat ...

If you're concerned about having enough income after you retire, there are lots of options. Buying rental properties is a popular one, but finding tenants and keeping up with maintenance often requires more effort than many retirees have in mind. If dealing with contractors and tenants isn't your idea of a good time, I have great news. Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are a terrific way for everyday investors to collect rent without owning any buildings themselves. REITs trade like stocks, but these ...

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer is a leading midstream company that generates substantial cash flow through its diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure, making it an attractive investment for passive income seekers [1][2]. Financial Performance - The master limited partnership (MLP) generated $8.4 billion in cash last year, distributing $4.4 billion to investors, with a current distribution yield of 7.5% [2]. - The latest quarterly distribution payment is set at $0.3275 per unit, reflecting a more than 3% increase from the previous year [3]. - The company produced enough cash to cover its distribution by 1.9 times last year, with a 10% increase in distributable cash flow driven by acquisitions and organic growth [4]. Growth Strategy - Energy Transfer invested $3 billion in growth capital projects last year and plans to invest an additional $5 billion this year, targeting a 5% earnings growth [6][7]. - The company has ongoing expansion projects, including a large-scale LNG export terminal, and anticipates growth from increased demand in the Permian Basin and global LNG exports [8]. Acquisition Activity - Energy Transfer has a history of strategic acquisitions, including WTG Midstream and Crestwood Equity Partners, aimed at expanding its midstream system and enhancing earnings [9]. Investment Appeal - The company is characterized as an income-producing machine, providing a stable and growing cash distribution to investors, making it a suitable option for those interested in MLPs [10].

There are plenty of ways to generate passive income, such as bonds, Treasury notes, high-yield savings accounts, and even stocks. Dividend stocks can be especially effective over the long term because their passive income element complements the potential gains from the investment growing in value over time. Whereas other vehicles are entirely centered around passive income. Lockheed Martin (LMT 1.19%), Air Products & Chemicals (APD 0.88%), and FedEx (FDX 0.99%) are three industry-leading companies with gro ...