Market Overview - The U.S. markets ended the final trading week of 2025 on a mixed note, with optimism over AI growth offset by caution regarding Federal Reserve policy signals [1] - Despite thin year-end liquidity, late pullbacks in all three major benchmark indexes kept the broader bull trend intact as market participants positioned for 2026 [1] Macroeconomic Indicators - Initial jobless claims fell unexpectedly by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000 for the week ended Dec. 27, the lowest since the end of November, signaling continued labor market strength [2] - Pending home sales unexpectedly rose 3.3% in November, marking the largest seasonal rise since 2023 [2] Federal Reserve Policy - The Fed has successfully kept inflation stable and near its 2% target, with a current overnight borrowing rate in the range of 3.50-3.75% [3] - The pace of further easing may slow, even though markets are expecting two additional quarter-point cuts in 2026 [3] Dividend-Paying Stocks - Investors looking to diversify their portfolios can consider dividend-paying stocks, which indicate a healthy business model and can counter market upheavals [4] - Stocks that have raised dividends recently tend to outperform non-dividend-paying entities in a highly volatile market [4] Company Highlights The Ensign Group - The Ensign Group provides health care services in the post-acute care continuum and has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [5] - On Dec. 19, ENSG declared a dividend of 7 cents a share, with a dividend yield of 0.1% [5] - Over the past five years, ENSG has increased its dividend five times, with a payout ratio of 4% of earnings [6] Invesco Mortgage Capital - Invesco Mortgage Capital is a real estate investment trust with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [7] - On Dec. 18, IVR declared a dividend of 36 cents a share, reflecting a dividend yield of 17.3% [7] - IVR has increased its dividend four times in the past five years, with a payout ratio of 58% of earnings [8] ABM Industries - ABM Industries is a provider of integrated facility solutions with a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [9] - On Dec. 17, ABM announced a dividend of 29 cents a share, yielding 2.5% [9] - Over the past five years, ABM has increased its dividend six times, with a payout ratio of 31% of earnings [11] Franklin Resources - Franklin Resources is a global investment management company with a Zacks Rank 3 [12] - On Dec. 17, BEN declared a dividend of 33 cents a share, yielding 5.5% [12] - Over the past five years, BEN has increased its dividend five times, with a payout ratio of 58% of earnings [13] Norwood Financial - Norwood Financial is a bank holding company with a Zacks Rank 3 [14] - On Dec. 16, NWFL announced a dividend of 32 cents a share, yielding 4.4% [14] - Over the past five years, NWFL has increased its dividend six times, with a payout ratio of 47% of earnings [14]

If you’re a senior wondering where to put your money, ChatGPT’s suggestion is this: Add a reliable, income-producing component to your portfolio. Specifically, this component should provide portfolio stability, so you don’t need to sell any other assets during market downturns, the AI tool said. But what exactly does this look like, and do the experts agree? Here’s what you should know. Income-Producing Components as an Investment ChatGPT gave three main reasons why seniors should have an income-produc ...

In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks for a dividend achievers list.In a market that feels unsettled more often than not, many investors are looking for ways to smooth the ride without giving up growth. Dividend-paying stocks tend to sit in that middle ground as they don’t eliminate volatility, but they can soften it. At the same time, they put real cash back into investors’ hands. That income stream can also reflect something deeper about a company’s finances and discipli ...

Key Takeaways CNP announced $0.23 dividend payable Mar. 12, marking one of four recent payout hikes.Marriott Vacations declared $0.80 dividend with a 5.46% yield after raising payouts five times in five years.Zoetis raised its dividend to $0.53, extending a six-time increase streak over five years.Tech stocks have been taking a hit, leading volatility to return to Wall Street over the past few weeks. Over the past few years, tech stocks have led the market rally, but investors have recently been concerned a ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend-paying stocks, highlighting a long-term focus on this investment strategy by the company for over 15 years [1] Summary by Categories Dividend-Paying Stocks - The company has been tracking dividend-paying stocks closely, indicating a sustained interest in this segment of the market [1]

Market Overview - Major U.S. indexes have shown significant year-to-date gains: Nasdaq Composite up 78.1%, S&P 500 up 15.8%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average up 11.5% [1] - Despite strong performance, volatility remains as investors shift to safer sectors, moving away from high-valuation technology and AI stocks [1] - Ongoing instability from government tariff policies and economic uncertainty continues to impact market participants [1] Employment and Economic Data - The unemployment rate for September rose to 4.4%, the highest in four years, while nonfarm payrolls increased by 119,000 [2] - Retail sales in September grew by only 0.2%, below expectations, with higher prices raising affordability concerns [2] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) increased by 0.3% in September, aligning with market expectations [2] - The consumer confidence index fell to 88.7, a seven-month low, significantly below the consensus estimate of 93.5 [2] Federal Reserve Expectations - Investors are anticipating a 25-basis point cut in benchmark interest rates by the Federal Reserve in December to address labor-market softness and support growth [3] Dividend-Paying Stocks - In a volatile market, dividend-paying stocks are recommended for portfolio diversification [4] - Notable dividend-paying companies include: - **Orange County Bancorp, Inc. (OBT)**: Declared an 18-cent dividend with a yield of 1.9% [5][6] - **United Bankshares (UBSI)**: Declared a 38-cent dividend with a yield of 3.9% [7] - **Dillard's (DDS)**: Declared a $30 dividend with a yield of 0.2% [10] - **Patrick Industries (PATK)**: Declared a 47-cent dividend with a yield of 1.5% [11][12] - **Agilent Technologies (A)**: Declared a 26-cent dividend with a yield of 0.6% [13][14] - Companies with consistent dividend payouts indicate a healthy business model and tend to outperform non-dividend-paying entities in volatile markets [4]

Market Overview - Wall Street is attempting to rebound after volatility in October and November, but concerns over high inflation, economic health, and uncertainty regarding a Federal Reserve rate cut in December persist [1] - Consumer confidence remains low, which could lead to further market volatility [2] Consumer Sentiment - Consumer sentiment declined to a record low of 51 in November, down from 53.6 in October, representing a 29% year-over-year decrease [3] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points in September and October, but high inflation remains a concern, complicating potential future cuts [4] - A shrinking labor market raises fears of a slowing economy, with expectations that the Federal Reserve may cautiously approach rate cuts in 2026 [4] Impact of Tariffs - President Trump's tariffs have increased commodity prices, leading consumers to reduce spending ahead of the holiday season, which may contribute to prolonged market volatility [5] Dividend-Paying Stocks - Cautious investors may consider dividend-paying stocks for steady income and capital protection amid market uncertainty [2] - Three notable stocks include: - **Orange County Bancorp, Inc. (OBT)**: Announced a dividend of $0.18 per share with a yield of 1.90%, having increased dividends four times in the past five years [6][7] - **Dillard's, Inc. (DDS)**: Declared a dividend of $30 per share with a yield of 0.18%, having increased dividends eight times in the past five years [8][10] - **United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI)**: Announced a dividend of $0.38 per share with a yield of 3.93%, having increased dividends three times in the past five years [11][12]

Core Insights - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) has approved a 1.6% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, raising it to 63 cents per share from 62 cents, reflecting the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder returns [1][5][10] - The company has a strong history of uninterrupted dividend payments, having increased its dividends annually for over 25 years [2][10] - In 2022, CHRW returned $285.32 million in cash dividends and $1.459 billion through share repurchases, while in 2023, it paid $291.56 million in dividends and repurchased shares worth $63.88 million [3] Dividend and Shareholder Returns - The raised dividend will be paid on January 5, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 5, 2025, indicating a strategic use of free cash flow to benefit shareholders [1] - During the first nine months of 2025, CHRW returned $227.05 million in cash dividends and $240.25 million through share repurchases, demonstrating a consistent approach to shareholder value [3][10] Industry Context - Other companies in the transportation sector, such as Kirby Corporation and Werner Enterprises, are also engaging in shareholder-friendly initiatives, including stock repurchase programs, indicating a broader trend within the industry [6][7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Abacus Global Management has reported its tenth consecutive quarter of earnings, showcasing consistent performance and growth in funding and origination capabilities, with a strong outlook into 2026 [1][2]. Financial Performance - Gross revenue increased by 124% year-over-year, while adjusted net income grew by 60% [2]. - The company has achieved earnings beats greater than 30% in six of the last ten quarters, indicating sustained performance [2]. Business Model and Strategy - Abacus operates as an active management company, monetizing contracts and policies on its balance sheet with strong margins of around 37% [3]. - The company has raised nearly $500 million in new capital this year, driven by strong institutional interest in uncorrelated yield [3]. Revenue Composition - 15% of Abacus's revenue is now recurring, and the recently launched dividend represents just over 20% of adjusted net income, allowing for capital return to shareholders while maintaining a return on equity (ROE) over 20% [4]. Recent Acquisitions - The acquisition of AccuQuote enhances client lifecycle coverage, enabling the company to offer better-suited policies and convert previously unmonetized leads into product sales [5][6]. - AccuQuote brings 30 years of experience and $150 million in issued premium, providing both new policy sales and potential legacy contract value [6]. Securitization and Balance Sheet Strength - A recent $50 million securitized asset transaction strengthens the balance sheet and supports future growth through scalable and competitive rates [7][8]. - The participation of insurance companies and banks in this transaction validates the valuations and underlying assets, while the company earns servicing fees for five years [8]. Market Position and Investor Appeal - Being added to the Russell 2000 and 3000 indexes enhances Abacus's visibility, attracting more capital from ETFs and investors seeking strong companies [9]. - The company is now a dividend-paying stock with a yield between 3.5% and 4.5%, placing it in a selective group among Russell 2000 companies [10].

Core Insights - Dividend-paying stocks are recommended for investors, particularly Baby Boomers aged 61 to 79, as they are more likely to own stocks [1][2] Group 1: Investment Opportunities - Berkshire Hathaway, led by incoming CEO Greg Abel, may introduce a dividend as the company holds a cash reserve of $382 billion [3][4] - Waste Management is considered a stable investment due to its essential services in trash collection and recycling, with a recent forward P/E ratio of 23.5, below its five-year average of 27.4 [6][8] - Realty Income, a REIT, offers a high dividend yield of 5.6% and has a strong track record of paying dividends for 664 consecutive months [10][12] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Berkshire Hathaway has a market cap of $1,077 billion, with a gross margin of 24.85% [4] - Waste Management has a market cap of $81 billion, with a gross margin of 28.92% and a dividend yield of 1.65% [8][9] - Realty Income has a market cap of $52 billion, a gross margin of 48.14%, and a 98.7% occupancy rate across its properties [12][14]