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]

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].