Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) is included among the 12 Best Stocks to Buy Now for Passive Income. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): A Strong Pick for Passive Income Portfolios in 2025 Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD), based in Houston, Texas, is a midstream company focused on natural gas and crude oil pipelines. As a master limited partnership (MLP), it offers a distribution that is well protected, covered 1.7 times by distributable cash flow, making the payout very secure. ...

Core Viewpoint - Guess?, Inc. (NYSE:GES) is recognized as one of the best stocks for passive income due to its consistent dividend payments and strong brand presence in the apparel industry [1][4]. Company Overview - Guess?, Inc. is an international apparel and accessories company known for its denim, casualwear, and lifestyle collections, connecting with customers through retail stores, wholesale partnerships, and licensing agreements [2]. Business Strategy - The company's success is attributed to maintaining strong brand value, expanding its global presence, and utilizing multiple distribution channels. Strategic acquisitions, product innovation, and impactful marketing are essential for keeping the brand relevant [3]. - Expansion efforts in Europe and Asia are aimed at reducing reliance on any single region, while sustainability initiatives and acquisitions, such as rag & bone, further enhance growth [3]. Financial Performance - Guess?, Inc. has made regular dividend payments for 18 consecutive years, with a recent 25% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.225 per share. The stock currently has a dividend yield of 5.35% as of September 22 [4].

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is included among the 12 Best Stocks to Buy Now for Passive Income.  Why Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) Stands Out Among Passive Income Stocks Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay Arbor Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust company. It operates with a two-pronged strategy, running both a Structured Loan Origination and Investment platform and an Agency Loan Origination and Servicing business. The structured side focuses on bridge loans, mezzanine financing, and pr ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the rise of side hustles and highlights the best dividend stocks for passive income, indicating a growing trend among individuals seeking additional income sources [1][2][3]. Side Hustle Trends - Over 36% of Americans engage in side gigs, earning an average of $530 per month, with Gen Z leading this trend [2] - The global side hustle market was valued at $556.7 billion in 2024, and in March 2025, the US saw a 6.4% increase in new business applications [2] - 55% of full-time workers are interested in turning hobbies into businesses, reflecting a shift towards formal entrepreneurial ventures [2] Dividend Stocks as Passive Income - Dividend stocks provide a reliable source of passive income, appealing to retirees and those seeking stable earnings during market fluctuations [3] - Investors often reinvest dividends to purchase additional shares, potentially increasing both dividend income and overall investment value over time [4] Methodology for Stock Selection - The article utilized Insider Monkey's database of nearly 1,000 hedge funds as of Q2 2025 to identify stocks with strong dividend policies, sound financials, and a history of dividend growth, focusing on those with a minimum yield of 4% as of September 22 [6] Hedge Fund Interest - The article emphasizes the importance of stocks favored by hedge funds, noting that imitating top hedge fund picks can lead to market outperformance [7] Company Highlights - **Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR)**: A real estate investment trust with a dual strategy in structured and agency loan origination, offering a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share and a yield of 10.26% as of September 22 [8][10] - **Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV)**: A global agricultural company recognized as a Dividend King, with a history of 55 consecutive years of dividend increases, paying a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share and a yield of 5.99% as of September 22 [11][13] - **Guess?, Inc. (NYSE:GES)**: An international apparel company that has paid dividends for 18 consecutive years, recently increasing its quarterly dividend by 25% to $0.225 per share, with a yield of 5.35% as of September 22 [14][16]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights four monthly dividend stocks that yield over 4% and have strong foundations for generating reliable passive income. Group 1: Agree Realty - Agree Realty is a REIT focused on single-tenant retail properties with stable rental income due to net leases [3][4] - The portfolio consists of high-quality tenants, with 67.8% having investment-grade credit ratings, in durable retail sectors [4] - The current dividend yield is 4.3%, with less than 75% of funds from operations (FFO) paid out as dividends, allowing for cash retention for further investments [5] - The company has a strong investment-grade balance sheet and plans to invest $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion this year, which is expected to grow FFO and dividends [6] Group 2: EPR Properties - EPR Properties is a REIT that invests in experiential real estate, such as movie theaters and attractions, generating stable rental income [7] - The company has a conservative payout ratio and balance sheet, allowing for annual investments of $200 million to $300 million [8] - Management identifies an investment opportunity exceeding $100 billion in experiential real estate and has committed $109 million for development projects over the next 18 months [9] Group 3: Main Street Capital - Main Street Capital is a business development company (BDC) providing debt and equity capital to lower-middle-market companies [10] - The company pays a monthly dividend yielding 4.9%, which increases to 6.9% with supplemental quarterly dividends [12] - Main Street Capital aims to steadily increase its monthly dividend and has raised it by 4.1% over the past year [12] Group 4: Stag Industrial - Stag Industrial is a REIT that owns industrial real estate, leasing properties under long-term agreements with rental escalation clauses [13] - The company pays out about 70% of its available free cash flow in dividends, retaining over $100 million annually for new investments [14] - Stag Industrial plans to acquire between $350 million and $650 million in properties this year and has consistently increased its dividend since its IPO in 2011 [15] Group 5: Summary of Monthly Dividend Stocks - Agree Realty, EPR Properties, Main Street Capital, and Stag Industrial all offer monthly dividends with yields above 4%, supported by stable cash flows and strong financial profiles [16] - All four companies expect to continue increasing their monthly dividends, enhancing their attractiveness for passive income investors [16]

Core Insights - Companies with a strong history of dividend payments and increases are attractive to income-focused investors, with CareTrust REIT, Virtus Investment, and Alliant Energy recently announcing dividend hikes and offering yields up to 5% [1] CareTrust REIT - CareTrust REIT Inc. has increased its dividends annually for the last 10 years, with the most recent hike on March 18 raising the quarterly payout from $0.29 to $0.335 per share, resulting in an annual figure of $1.34 per share [2] - The company maintained the same dividend payout in its September 15 announcement, with a current dividend yield of 3.91% [2] - As of June 30, CareTrust's annual revenue was $277.03 million, and it reported Q2 2025 revenues of $112.47 million and EPS of $0.43, both exceeding expectations [3] Virtus Investment Partners - Virtus Investment Partners has increased its dividends for seven consecutive years, with a 7% increase announced on August 14, raising the quarterly payout to $2.40 per share, equating to an annual figure of $9.60 per share [4] - The current dividend yield for Virtus is 5.05% [4] - The company's annual revenue as of June 30 was $884.72 million, with Q2 2025 revenues of $210.53 million and EPS of $6.25, both surpassing consensus estimates [4] Alliant Energy - Alliant Energy Corp. provides regulated electric and natural gas services in the U.S. [6]

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformation of Jeff Bezos from renting a modest home to owning multiple high-value properties, illustrating his significant wealth accumulation over time [2][3][5][6]. Group 1: Jeff Bezos's Early Life and Wealth Accumulation - Jeff Bezos and his then-wife MacKenzie Scott rented a house in Bellevue, Washington for $890 a month in 1994, which was not owned by them but leased [2]. - The original rental property has since been sold for $1.52 million in 2019 and was listed for $2.28 million in 2024, showcasing the appreciation in real estate value [3]. Group 2: Current Real Estate Holdings - Bezos currently owns three properties on Indian Creek Island in Miami, purchased for $68 million, $79 million, and $90 million, indicating a shift to high-value real estate investments [4]. - In addition to his Miami properties, Bezos has a significant estate in Beverly Hills, a penthouse in Manhattan, a waterfront property in Medina, Washington, and a Texas ranch for his aerospace company, Blue Origin [5]. Group 3: Financial Overview - Bezos's net worth is estimated at $231.3 billion, and if he spent $890 every minute from September 26 to the end of the year, he would still retain $231.17 billion after spending approximately $124.3 million [6]. Group 4: Investment Opportunities - The article mentions Arrived, a platform backed by Bezos, allowing investors to buy fractional shares of rental homes starting at $100, providing an accessible way to build wealth through real estate without the need for large capital or landlord responsibilities [7].

Core Viewpoint - Dividend stocks provide high yields and growth catalysts that can support payouts for decades, making them attractive for passive income investors [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend Stocks Overview - Building passive income through dividend-paying stocks allows investors to secure financial freedom by generating regular cash distributions [2]. - Dividend stocks combine income with potential long-term capital appreciation, offering protection against inflation through rising distributions [3]. Group 2: Company-Specific Insights - Philip Morris International offers a 3.6% yield with an 80% payout ratio, supported by its transformation towards smoke-free products, which generated 39% of 2024 revenue [6][7]. - Pfizer provides a 7.14% yield at 7.7 times forward earnings, with projected revenue of $61 billion to $64 billion in 2025, driven by various growth products and an acquisition of Metsera for up to $7.3 billion [8][9]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - Philip Morris trades at a discount with a forward earnings ratio of 19.4 compared to 22 for the S&P 500, while maintaining a credible path to smoke-free growth [7]. - Pfizer's high payout ratio of 90% presents execution risks, but management's commitment to dividends and lower expense guidance suggest a compelling risk-reward balance [9][11]. Group 4: Passive Income Strategy - Both Philip Morris and Pfizer offer different paths to passive income, with a combined yield of approximately 5.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average [10]. - Sustainable yields backed by strong business fundamentals are crucial for passive income investing, with both companies demonstrating potential despite facing regulatory challenges [11].

Core Insights - Companies that have consistently raised their dividends for over 25 years are ideal investments for passive income investors [1] Group 1 - Companies with a long history of dividend increases are attractive for generating passive income [1]

RT Picolas Cage (@Picolas_Caged)If there's one thing I have learned from getting older + having more money:There is absolutely no such thing as a free lunch and there is *pretty much* no such thing as passive income.All capital in some form or another is earned, with varying degrees of stress and/or time consumption ...