Core Insights - Blue-chip stocks are essential for a stable investment portfolio, providing a reliable source of passive income through dividends [1] Group 1: DBS Group (SGX: D05) - DBS is Singapore's largest bank by market capitalization, offering a wide range of banking, insurance, and investment services [3] - In 1H 2025, total income rose by 5% year on year to S$11.6 billion, driven by a 3.2% increase in net interest income to S$7.3 billion [3] - Fee and commission income surged 17% year on year to S$2.4 billion, with profit before tax reaching a record S$6.8 billion, up 3% year on year [4] - Net profit decreased by 1% year on year to S$5.7 billion due to a 15% global minimum tax rate [4] - An interim dividend of S$0.75 was declared, which is 39% higher than the previous year's S$0.54 [5] Group 2: Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68) - SGX is the sole stock exchange operator in Singapore, enjoying a natural monopoly [6] - For FY2025, net revenue increased by 11.7% year on year to S$1.3 billion, with net profit excluding one-off items climbing 16% year on year to S$609.5 million [6] - A final dividend of S$0.105 was declared, 16.7% higher than the previous year's S$0.09 [7] - SGX anticipates medium-term revenue growth of 6% to 8% per annum, supported by product developments and global partnerships [8] Group 3: Singapore Technologies Engineering (SGX: S63) - STE operates in aerospace, smart city, and public security sectors, known for consistent dividend payouts [9] - Revenue for 1H 2025 rose 7.2% year on year to S$5.9 billion, with operating profit improving by 15.2% year on year to S$602.2 million [9] - Net profit increased nearly 20% year on year to S$402.8 million, with an interim dividend of S$0.04 declared [10] - The order book stood at S$31.2 billion, with S$5 billion expected to be delivered for the remainder of the year [10] Group 4: SATS Ltd (SGX: S58) - SATS provides air cargo handling services and is Asia's leading airline caterer, operating over 225 stations across 27 countries [12] - Revenue for 1Q FY2026 rose 9.9% year on year to S$1.5 billion, while operating profit increased nearly 11% year on year to S$125.2 million [13] - Net profit increased by 9.1% year on year to S$70.9 million, with cargo tonnage reaching a record high of 3.2 million tonnes [13] - The number of flights handled rose 3.2% year on year to 279,100, and meals served increased by 5.6% year on year to 39.1 million [14]

Core Insights - Investing in ETFs provides instant diversification and simplifies the investment process, especially during uncertain market conditions [1][2] Group 1: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) - SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on companies with consistent cash flow and a strong balance sheet, requiring at least 10 years of dividend payouts [4][5] - The ETF offers a dividend yield of over 3.7%, which is above its decade average and nearly three times that of the S&P 500 [5] - SCHD has increased its dividend payout by over 160% in the past decade, enhancing the compounding effect through reinvested dividends [7] - Consistent dividends provide dual benefits: they boost returns during upward trends and cushion losses during downturns [8] Group 2: Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) - VXUS offers geographic diversification by providing exposure to companies from both developed and emerging markets, covering thousands of companies globally [9][10] - The ETF's regional allocation includes 39% in Europe, 27.2% in emerging markets, 25.4% in the Pacific, 7.7% in North America, and 0.7% in the Middle East [11] - Although VXUS has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade, it has nearly doubled the S&P 500's returns this year [12] - With the S&P 500 at historically high levels, VXUS serves as a hedge against potential market pullbacks, suggesting a target allocation of around 10% in international stocks for many investors [14]

Group 1: Realty Income - Realty Income offers a 5.3% dividend yield and has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years, making it attractive for conservative investors [4][5] - It is the largest net-lease REIT, owning over 15,600 properties, and has an investment-grade balance sheet, providing advantageous access to capital markets [5] - The company focuses on diversifying its business by property type and geography, operating in both the U.S. and Europe, which supports growth [5][6] Group 2: PepsiCo - PepsiCo is a diversified consumer staples company, being the second largest non-alcoholic beverage company and the largest salty snack company through Frito-Lay [7] - It has a strong history as a Dividend King, with over five decades of annual dividend increases, and currently offers a 4% dividend yield [8] - An activist investor's involvement may prompt management to accelerate business changes, presenting a potential opportunity for investors [9] Group 3: Hershey - Hershey faces challenges due to rising cocoa prices, which have surged due to supply and demand issues, impacting its chocolate business [10][11] - The company is responding by raising prices and cutting costs, but concerns remain about the sustainability of its business model amid high cocoa prices [11] - The Hershey Trust controls the company, allowing for long-term decision-making without short-term pressures, which aligns with the interests of long-term investors [13][14] Group 4: Market Context - Despite the S&P 500 nearing all-time highs, there are still attractive dividend stocks available, requiring more effort to identify [15]

Core Viewpoint - UPS' stock has experienced a significant decline of 60% from its 2022 highs, now trading below pre-pandemic levels, which is crucial for potential investors to consider [1][6]. Business Overview - UPS operates a complex logistics network that is difficult to replicate, evidenced by its continued partnership with Amazon despite Amazon's own delivery service investments [2][4]. - The core business of UPS revolves around package delivery, which encompasses pickup, routing, and delivery, each requiring substantial operational effort [3][4]. Market Dynamics - The demand for package delivery is expected to persist as long as people reside in different locations, indicating a stable long-term business model [2][6]. - The stock price decline is attributed to a post-pandemic adjustment after an initial surge in demand, which was overestimated by Wall Street [6][8]. Strategic Initiatives - UPS is actively modernizing its operations by investing in technology, closing older distribution centers, and refocusing on more profitable segments, including reducing its relationship with Amazon due to low-margin deliveries [7][8]. - These strategic changes have led to lower revenue and increased costs, raising concerns among investors despite the long-term benefits of modernization [8][9]. Dividend Considerations - The current dividend yield stands at 7.7%, which raises concerns about a potential dividend cut, especially as the payout ratio approaches 100% [9][10]. - Historically, the payout ratio has been in the 70% to 80% range, but the ongoing business overhaul may necessitate a reset of the dividend [10][12]. Long-term Investment Potential - UPS is viewed as a reliable long-term investment option, with the potential for increased profitability post-modernization, although caution is advised for those seeking stable dividends [11][12].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF is highlighted as a strong investment option for those seeking growing dividend income, emphasizing the reliability of cash flows in companies that pay dividends [1][10] - Historical data indicates that reinvested dividends have significantly contributed to the total returns of the S&P 500 Index, accounting for 85% of cumulative returns since 1960 [2] Performance Metrics - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.05%, translating to an annual cost of $5 for every $10,000 invested [5] - Recent performance averages for the ETF are as follows: - 3 years: 16.01% - 5 years: 12.69% - 10 years: 13.24% - 15 years: 12.79% - The ETF currently offers a dividend yield of 1.7%, compared to the S&P 500's yield of 1.2% [5][6] Dividend Growth - The ETF tracks the S&P US Dividend Growers Index, focusing on companies that have increased dividends for at least 10 consecutive years, suggesting potential for dividend growth at a rate faster than the S&P 500 [6] - Historical quarterly dividend payments show significant growth, with the dividend amount increasing from $0.288 in 2013 to $0.938 in 2025, more than tripling over 12 years [6] Top Holdings - The ETF includes approximately 330 holdings, with notable top stocks and their respective yields and weights: - Broadcom: 0.65%, 5.94% - Microsoft: 0.64%, 4.82% - JPMorgan Chase: 1.81%, 4.04% - Apple: 0.44%, 3.74% - Eli Lilly: 0.80%, 2.76% - Visa: 0.70%, 2.69% - ExxonMobil: 3.52%, 2.38% - Mastercard: 0.52%, 2.33% - Johnson & Johnson: 2.93%, 2.04% - Walmart: 0.91%, 2.01% [7] Growth Potential - Some companies within the ETF, like Broadcom, exhibit high dividend growth rates, with a 10-year average annual growth rate exceeding 30%, indicating potential for substantial share-price appreciation [8] Investment Considerations - When selecting a dividend-focused ETF, investors should weigh the importance of high yields versus fast-growing yields, with alternatives like the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF also being viable options [9] - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF is recommended for those seeking solid dividend income that is expected to grow over time, with a suggestion to invest incrementally rather than attempting to time the market [10]

Group 1 - The market is experiencing upward momentum, primarily driven by big tech, leading to a portfolio tilt towards growth stocks, which may not be sustainable long-term [1] - It is advisable to gradually incorporate income-paying positions to balance portfolios, utilizing dollar-cost averaging for consistent investment [2] - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF focuses on quality companies with strong balance sheets and growing dividends, tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index [4][5] Group 2 - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has a portfolio of approximately 100 companies, primarily in consumer staples, healthcare, and financials, yielding close to 4% [5][6] - Over the past decade, the ETF has returned over 12% annually, outperforming many value funds, with a low expense ratio of 0.06% [6] - The Alerian MLP ETF offers exposure to midstream energy companies structured as master limited partnerships, providing high yield without direct exposure to oil and gas price fluctuations [9]

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF offers a low-cost option for investors seeking high-quality dividend stocks with the potential for annual income growth [3][8] - Investing consistently in this ETF can lead to significant passive income, potentially exceeding $20,000 annually by retirement [2][9] ETF Overview - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF tracks the Dow Jones US Dividend 100 index, which includes 100 stocks with a history of paying dividends for at least 10 years [5] - The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.06%, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors [8] Top Holdings - The ETF's top holdings include Abbvie (3%), Chevron (4.3%), Home Depot (2.2%), and Altria (6.5%), among others, showcasing a balance of quality and yield [6][7] - The ETF focuses on value stocks, with a price-earnings ratio of 18, compared to over 25 for the S&P 500 [7] Investment Potential - Consistent investment of $500 per month can lead to a portfolio balance of $588,032 after 30 years, generating an estimated annual dividend income of $21,757 [12] - The ETF has produced compound annual total returns of 12.6% since its inception in 2011, although future returns may be more conservative [10] Considerations for Investors - The potential for dividend income is influenced by stock performance and market conditions, with yields adjusting based on overall stock performance [13] - Inflation should be considered, as the purchasing power of future dividends may decrease, suggesting that increasing monthly contributions could be beneficial [14]

Core Viewpoint - Gen Z investors show a strong preference for dividend stocks, particularly real estate investment trusts (REITs), which is significantly higher than that of retiring baby boomers [1] Group 1: American Tower - American Tower operates over 150,000 communication sites globally and owns several U.S. data center facilities, positioning itself at the intersection of real estate and technology [3] - The REIT's infrastructure supports mobile networks essential for Gen Z's communication needs, including texting and social media [4] - American Tower's current dividend yield is 3.5%, nearly triple that of the S&P 500, with expectations for future growth in dividend payments due to increasing demand for its infrastructure [5] Group 2: EPR Properties - EPR Properties focuses on experiential real estate, catering to Gen Z's preference for experiences over possessions, such as eat-and-play venues and wellness properties [6][7] - The REIT offers a monthly dividend yield of 6.3%, supported by predictable rental income from its properties [7] - EPR Properties sees a future investment opportunity exceeding $100 billion in experiential real estate and plans to invest $200 million to $300 million in new properties this year [8] Group 3: Invitation Homes - Invitation Homes addresses the rental trend among Gen Z, who face challenges in home buying due to high interest rates and prices, thus unable to build home equity [9][10] - The REIT manages over 110,000 single-family rental homes across 16 major U.S. housing markets, generating income to support a nearly 4% dividend yield [10] - Invitation Homes is actively expanding its portfolio through partnerships with homebuilders to create build-to-rent communities, catering to the housing needs of younger generations [11] Group 4: Investment Appeal for Gen Z - American Tower, EPR Properties, and Invitation Homes are well-positioned to meet the needs of Gen Z investors, providing a growing stream of passive income that can help achieve financial goals [12]

The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is included among the 13 Best High Dividend Stocks to Buy Under $100. How The Southern Company’s (SO) Dividend Resilience Makes it One of the Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Under $100 Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is a Georgia-based gas and electric utility holding company. In its latest earnings release, the company revealed that it had raised its five-year base capital plan by $13 billion, bringing the total to $76 billion. As of the second ...

Core Insights - The individual has a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering and nearly twenty-five years of experience in the oil and gas sector, primarily in the Middle East [1] - The investment strategy is informed by traits of efficiency, carefulness, and discipline developed through professional experience [1] - There is a sustained interest in U.S. equity markets, focusing on technology, energy, and healthcare sectors [1] - The investment approach has evolved from growth investing to a blend of value and growth, emphasizing the understanding of business economics and competitive advantages [1] - The individual believes in the importance of allowing time and compounding to enhance investment returns, particularly in high-quality businesses [1] - A moderately conservative orientation is adopted, with a focus on minimizing downside risk as retirement approaches [1] - Recent rebalancing towards income-generating assets such as dividend-paying equities and REITs reflects a shift in investment priorities [1] - Investing is viewed as a means to achieve peace of mind, not just high returns [1] - The individual aims to engage with a community of investors interested in the intersection of business fundamentals and intelligent investing [1] - There is a commitment to investing in ecologically sensitive businesses, indicating a focus on sustainable investment practices [1]