Core Viewpoint - The current economic environment is described as unusual, with a general perception that everything appears to be fine, supported by a GDP growth of 3.0% in the second quarter, indicating a significant increase from previous periods [1] Economic Indicators - The GDP surge of 3.0% in the second quarter suggests robust economic activity, contrasting with potential underlying issues that may not be immediately visible [1] Market Sentiment - Despite the positive GDP figures, there is an underlying sense of uncertainty regarding the sustainability of this economic performance, indicating a complex market sentiment [1] Conclusion - The overall economic landscape is characterized by a paradox where strong growth indicators coexist with a sense of unease among analysts and investors [1]

Company Overview - Independent Bank Corp. (INDB) is headquartered in Hanover and operates in the Finance sector, specifically within the Banks - Northeast industry [3] - The company has experienced a price change of 7.07% so far this year [3] Dividend Information - INDB currently pays a dividend of $0.59 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.43%, which is higher than the industry average of 2.67% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.51% [3] - The annualized dividend of $2.36 represents a 3.5% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, INDB has increased its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 5.67% [4] - The current payout ratio is 52%, indicating that the company pays out 52% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projects earnings of $5.26 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 15.60% [5] Investment Appeal - INDB is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [6]

Company Overview - SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) is located in Defiance and operates within the Finance sector. The stock has experienced a price decline of 9.47% since the beginning of the year [3]. Dividend Information - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.15 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.17%, which is higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.72% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.55% [3]. - SBFG's annualized dividend of $0.60 has increased by 7.1% compared to the previous year. Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 9.81% [4]. - The current payout ratio for SBFG is 32%, indicating that the company distributes 32% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4]. Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, SBFG anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate projecting earnings of $2.03 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 18.71% [5]. Investment Considerations - SBFG is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and the current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold). The company is positioned well for income investors, especially in a market where high-yielding stocks may face challenges during rising interest rates [6].

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Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) is experiencing a stock recovery after a challenging year, with a recent gain of over 5% in the last month, outperforming the S&P 500 index [1][2] Financial Performance - UPS reported an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.49 for Q1 2025, exceeding analyst expectations of $1.38 and reflecting a 4.2% increase year-over-year [3] - The company's adjusted operating margin is at 8.2%, indicating improved operational efficiency despite a slight dip in overall revenue [4] Strategic Focus - UPS's management strategy, termed "better, not bigger," emphasizes securing more profitable deliveries rather than merely increasing package volume [6] - Revenue in the U.S. Domestic segment grew by 1.4% to $14.46 billion, driven by a 4.5% increase in revenue per piece, showcasing effective pricing power [6] Market Position - UPS plays a crucial role in the global economy, providing a reliable logistics network amid complex supply chains and shifting trade policies [7] - The company is a vital partner for businesses of all sizes, enhancing its position in high-value areas such as healthcare product shipping [8] Dividend and Valuation - UPS offers a dividend yield of 6.51%, with an annual dividend of $6.56 and a 16-year track record of maintaining or increasing dividends [9][11] - The stock is currently trading near $100, significantly below its 52-week high of over $148, suggesting potential for recovery not yet reflected in its price [11] Future Outlook - Analysts express cautious optimism regarding UPS's rebound, supported by a disciplined cost reduction plan of $3.5 billion for 2025 and a favorable valuation with a P/E ratio of 12.66 [10][11]

Company Overview - Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) is headquartered in San Antonio and operates in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of -5.77% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - Cullen/Frost Bankers currently pays a dividend of $1 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.16% [3] - This yield is significantly higher than the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.33% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.6% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $4 has increased by 7% from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, averaging an annual increase of 7.80% [4] - The current payout ratio is 42%, indicating that 42% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS) is distributed as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Cullen/Frost Bankers anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $9.24 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 2.90% [5] Investment Appeal - The company presents a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7] - Income investors are particularly drawn to dividends for various reasons, including tax advantages and reduced overall portfolio risk [6]

If you are a dividend lover like I am, then you care a lot about finding stocks with big yields backed by growing dividends. That's what you'll get with Chevron (CVX 0.78%), Enterprise Products Partners (EPD 0.21%), and Enbridge (ENB -0.45%). However, there's more to understand about a company than just its yield and dividend history. Here's why these three are my top high-yield dividend stocks in the energy sector right now.Impressive dividend records start the showBefore getting into the deeper story, a f ...

Group 1: ETF Overview - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is a popular dividend ETF that can assist investors who prefer individual stocks due to its screening process [1][2] - The ETF targets companies that have increased dividends for at least 10 consecutive years, excluding real estate investment trusts [3] - A composite score is created based on metrics such as cash flow to total debt, return on equity, dividend yield, and five-year dividend growth rate to select the top 100 companies [5] Group 2: Sector Focus - The recent rebalancing of the ETF indicates a significant focus on energy stocks, which constitute 21% of the ETF's assets, marking the largest sector weighting [6] - The top three energy holdings in the ETF are ConocoPhillips, Chevron, and EOG Resources [6] Group 3: Company Analysis - **ConocoPhillips**: - Has a dividend yield of 3.6% and has increased its dividend for eight years with a five-year annualized growth rate of 20% [7][9] - The stock has declined approximately 25% over the past year, more than the price of oil, indicating volatility [8][9] - **Chevron**: - Offers a dividend yield of about 5% and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years, with a five-year average annual increase of 6% [10][12] - The stock is down around 15% over the past year, reflecting a more stable performance compared to oil price fluctuations [10] - **EOG Resources**: - Provides a dividend yield of roughly 3.7% and has increased its dividend for eight years, with a five-year average annual increase of 27% [13][15] - The stock has decreased about 12% over the past year, and its debt-to-equity ratio is more favorable compared to ConocoPhillips [14][15]

Group 1: Company Overview - Energy Transfer and Enterprise Products Partners are two of the largest midstream companies in North America, primarily operating within the United States [2] - Both companies generate revenue by charging fees for the use of their energy infrastructure assets, such as pipelines, which are essential for transporting oil and natural gas [5] Group 2: Performance and Reliability - Energy Transfer has a history of disappointing investors, including a distribution cut during the 2020 pandemic and a previous warning about a potential dividend cut in 2016 [7][10] - In contrast, Enterprise Products Partners has maintained its distribution without cuts during the same downturns and has increased its distribution for 26 consecutive years, demonstrating reliability [12] Group 3: Financial Health - Enterprise Products Partners has an investment-grade rated balance sheet and a distributable cash flow that covers its distribution by 1.7 times in 2024, indicating strong financial health and management commitment [13][14] - Energy Transfer's past decisions, such as selling convertible securities to protect its CEO from dividend cuts, have raised concerns about its management practices and investor trust [9]

That's part of the reason Altria is attractive in April, as Wall Street hits some turbulence. And it is why the company will continue to be attractive if that turbulence spills over onto Main Street, perhaps precipitating a recession. In fact, during difficult times, cigarette smokers often smoke more. The 7% yield gets you almost there Altria (MO 0.79%) is a hard stock to love, even if you are a dividend investor. And it probably isn't the type of company you'll want to own for the rest of your life. But a ...