All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its ...

Company Overview - Urban Edge Properties (UE) is headquartered in New York and has experienced a price change of -14.98% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.19 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.16%, which is lower than the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry's yield of 4.64% but higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.69% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Urban Edge Properties is $0.76, reflecting an 11.8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, the company has increased its dividend 3 times year-over-year, with an average annual increase of 11.83% [4] - The current payout ratio is 51%, indicating that the company paid out 51% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Urban Edge Properties' earnings in 2025 is $1.40 per share, with an expected increase of 3.70% from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - Urban Edge Properties is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend play and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend investing in quality blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs for building a sustainable retirement income [1] - The author aims to assist lower and middle-class workers in creating investment portfolios focused on high-quality, dividend-paying companies [1] - The perspective provided in the article is intended to help investors achieve financial independence through strategic investment choices [1] Group 2 - The article does not disclose any current stock or derivative positions in the companies mentioned, nor does it plan to initiate any within the next 72 hours [2] - The opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and are not influenced by any business relationships with the companies discussed [2] - The article clarifies that past performance is not indicative of future results, and no specific investment recommendations are provided [3]

Tariff-related uncertainty is not only making stock-picking incredibly hard, with stocks trading on politics and news instead of fundamentals, but it's clouding the outlook for European crown jewel ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML ).With 30 years until retirement, I’m leveraging my role as a Financial Analyst at a Fortune 500 firm to build a market-beating portfolio that targets both strong capital appreciation and aggressive dividend growth.My focus is on blue-chip companies with wide moats, competitive advantag ...

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway's asset composition has shifted, with controlled companies now exceeding public equity holdings, and cash and marketable securities surpassing stock investments [1] Company Overview - American Express remains a significant holding for Berkshire Hathaway, constituting 14.5% of its equity portfolio, second only to Apple [2] - The company has consistently outperformed the market over the long term, although it has underperformed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite year to date [2] Business Model - American Express operates a unique business model compared to Visa and Mastercard, issuing its own cards and bearing the risk of defaults [4][7] - The company targets affluent customers, which allows for higher fees and greater spending potential, despite the inherent risks [7][8] Financial Performance - American Express has shown steady revenue and earnings growth, with a notable increase post-pandemic as it appeals to younger demographics [9] - The stock has declined 22.9% from its all-time high, presenting a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors [13] Valuation Metrics - The current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for American Express is 17.9, slightly below its five-year average of 18.4, indicating it may be undervalued [13] - The price-to-free cash flow ratio stands at 14.8, further suggesting that American Express is a good value [13] Share Buybacks - American Express has reduced its share count by 30% over the last decade, enhancing earnings per share (EPS) growth through buybacks [15][17] - The company has a history of significant dividend increases, with a recent 17% hike in its quarterly payout [17] Investment Thesis - American Express exemplifies quality over quantity in the payment processing sector, with affluent customers leading to higher average spending [19] - The stock is considered a strong buy amid broader market sell-offs, offering both value and passive income potential [20]

Core Viewpoint - The stock market has experienced a significant decline this year due to tariff concerns, leading to increased dividend yields for high-quality companies, providing investors with opportunities for durable passive income streams even amid economic downturns [1]. Group 1: Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy currently offers a dividend yield of 5.1%, supported by stable cash flow from electricity and natural gas supply in Virginia and the Carolinas [2]. - The company is investing $50 billion through 2029 to expand power generation, anticipating increased electricity demand from AI data centers and onshoring manufacturing, which is expected to grow earnings per share by 5% to 7% annually [3]. Group 2: NNN REIT - NNN REIT has a dividend yield of 5.8%, generating steady rental income from a portfolio of single-tenant net lease retail properties where tenants cover all operating costs [4]. - The REIT pays out less than 70% of its cash flow in dividends, projecting $200 million in post-dividend free cash flow for reinvestment in additional income-generating properties, and has increased its dividend for 35 consecutive years [5]. Group 3: Brookfield Infrastructure - Brookfield Infrastructure offers a dividend yield of around 5%, with 85% of its funds from operations supported by government-regulated rate structures or long-term contracts [6]. - The company retains 60% to 70% of its stable cash flow for reinvestment, focusing on growing its business and upgrading infrastructure, with expected FFO per share growth of over 10% annually, supporting 5% to 9% dividend growth [7]. Group 4: Verizon - Verizon's dividend yield is 6.2%, with recurring cash flow from wireless and broadband services, generating $36.9 billion last year [8]. - The company is investing $17.1 billion in capital expenditures and has $8.6 billion in excess free cash, which is used to strengthen its balance sheet and support its dividend payments [9]. - Verizon is acquiring Frontier Communications for $20 billion to enhance its fiber network, with investments in fiber and 5G expected to grow cash flow and continue its 18-year dividend growth streak [10]. Group 5: Oneok - Oneok has a dividend yield of 5%, supported by stable cash flow from government-regulated rate structures and long-term contracts [11]. - The company is diversifying and expanding its midstream platform through major acquisitions and organic capital projects, positioning itself for 3% to 4% annual dividend growth while maintaining a trend of dividend stability for over 25 years [12]. Group 6: High-Yielding Dividend Stocks - The recent stock market sell-off has led to increased dividend yields, with many high-quality companies offering payouts of 5% and above, providing attractive income streams for investors [13].

Group 1 - Verizon Communications Inc. is a steady, dividend-focused investment that performs well during market volatility [1] - In the past months, while the S&P 500 returned negative four percent, Verizon returned a positive performance [1] Group 2 - The company is actively analyzed for its business models, earnings performance, and competitive positioning [1] - Verizon is positioned in sectors like AI, fintech, finance, and tech, which are areas of long-term growth [1]

Company Overview - First Financial Corp. (THFF) is headquartered in Terre Haute and operates in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of -6.78% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - First Financial Corp. currently pays a dividend of $0.51 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.74% [3] - The dividend yield of the Banks - Midwest industry is 3.6%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.64% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $2.04 has increased by 51.1% from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, First Financial Corp. has raised its dividend 4 times, averaging an annual increase of 15.55% [4] - The current payout ratio is 45%, indicating that the company pays out 45% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - First Financial Corp. is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $5.56 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 39% [5] Investment Opportunity - First Financial Corp. is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Company Overview - Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC) is based in Clayton and operates in the Finance sector, with shares experiencing a price change of -18.09% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.29 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.51%, which is lower than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 3.47% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.68% [3] Dividend Performance - EFSC's current annualized dividend of $1.16 has increased by 9.4% from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, the company has raised its dividend 3 times year-over-year, achieving an average annual increase of 11.56% [4] - The current payout ratio for EFSC is 23%, indicating that the company paid out 23% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EFSC's earnings per share for 2025 is $4.93, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 1.02% [5] Investment Considerations - EFSC is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7] - The company is positioned as a strong dividend play, appealing to income investors despite the general trend of high-yielding stocks struggling during periods of rising interest rates [7]

Realty Income (O 1.81%) has become a dividend stalwart, even for a REIT that has to pay out at least 90% of its net income in the form of dividends. The commercial property owner, otherwise known as the "monthly dividend company," has increased its payout at least once a year since 1994. Additionally, its dividend yield now stands at 5.9%, more than quadruple the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.81%) average of 1.35%. Thanks to this massive return, generating $1,000 of sustainable dividend income is possible on a relativel ...