Core Viewpoint - MPLX offers a high distribution yield of 7.7%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1% dividend yield, making it an attractive option for generating passive income [1][3]. Financial Performance - MPLX currently pays a quarterly distribution of $1.0765 per unit, which annualizes to $4.31, reflecting a 12.5% increase from previous levels [3]. - To generate $1,000 of annual distribution income, an investor would need to own 232 units, costing approximately $13,000 at the current price of about $56 per unit [3][4]. - In contrast, an investment in an S&P 500 index fund would require nearly $88,500 to achieve the same annual income [4]. Stability and Growth Potential - MPLX's midstream operations provide stable cash flow supported by long-term contracts and regulated rate structures, with a cash coverage ratio of 1.3 times for its current distribution payments [5]. - The company's leverage ratio stands at 3.7 times, below the 4.0 times threshold that its cash flows can support, indicating a conservative financial profile [5]. - MPLX has a significant backlog of organic capital projects expected to come online through 2029, which should facilitate continued distribution growth [6]. - The company has consistently raised its distribution since its formation in 2012, with an 11.6% compound annual growth rate since 2022 [6]. Investment Consideration - MPLX's high current yield is backed by stable cash flows and a solid financial profile, positioning it well for future distribution growth [8].

It has been a tough last 12 months for owners of high-yield energy midstream partnerships. Key ETFs tracking the space have produced mid-single-digit total returns since mid-January 2025, all while global equities have enjoyed a torrid rally since April. The S&P 500 ETF (Freelance Financial Writer | Investments | Markets | Personal Finance | RetirementI create written content used in various formats including articles, blogs, emails, and social media for financial advisors and investment firms in a cost-eff ...

Core Insights - Dividend growers are considered some of the best long-term investments due to their ability to provide a lucrative and growing income stream alongside rising share prices, historically outperforming non-dividend payers and companies that do not increase dividends significantly [1] Company Summaries - **Brookfield Asset Management**: - A leading alternative investment manager with over $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM) and a current dividend yield of 3.3%, which is approximately three times the S&P 500's level [4] - The company has demonstrated strong dividend growth, increasing its payout by 19% in early 2024 and by another 15% the following year, with expectations of around 20% annual earnings growth over the next five years [5][6] - Brookfield is capitalizing on trends such as the shift towards alternative investments and AI infrastructure, supporting continued dividend growth of over 15% annually [6][8] - **MPLX**: - A master limited partnership (MLP) focused on energy midstream assets, currently yielding 8.1% [7] - MPLX has consistently raised its distribution by 10% or more for four consecutive years, with stable cash flow supported by long-term contracts and a conservative leverage ratio of 3.7 times [8] - The company generates enough cash to cover its payout comfortably by 1.3 times, providing flexibility for acquisitions and organic expansion projects [9] - **Prologis**: - Has delivered a compound annual dividend growth of 13% over the past five years, making it another strong candidate for dividend growth investment [8]

分组1: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer distributes around half of its stable cash flow to investors while retaining the rest for expansion projects, positioning itself in the strongest financial state in its history [1] - The company has a multi-billion-dollar backlog of expansion projects expected to enter commercial service by the end of the decade, supporting an anticipated annual distribution increase of 3% to 5% [1][2] 分组2: Ares Capital - Ares Capital, a business development company (BDC), must distribute 90% of its income to investors via dividends and has maintained a stable to increasing quarterly dividend for 16 years [3] - The company primarily makes senior secured loans to private middle market companies, with 71% of its portfolio in less cyclical industries, and has invested $28.7 billion across 587 portfolio companies [4] 分组3: Starwood Capital - Starwood Capital, a real estate investment trust (REIT), has diversified its investments to maintain its dividend for over a decade, despite real estate market fluctuations [5][6] - The REIT recently acquired a $2.2 billion net lease platform, which includes 467 properties with a 17-year weighted average lease term and 2.2% annual rent escalations, expected to provide durable income [6] 分组4: UPS - UPS has faced challenges leading to a share price decline of over 50% from its peak, resulting in a high dividend yield [7] - The company has not generated enough cash to cover its dividend this year but is targeting $3.5 billion in cost savings and expects to maintain its dividend commitment, which has been upheld since going public in 1999 [8] 分组5: Verizon - Verizon generates substantial recurring revenue and cash flow, allowing it to cover capital expenditures and dividend payments comfortably [9][10] - The company has heavily invested in expanding its 5G and fiber networks, which is expected to enhance revenue and free cash flow, supporting continued dividend increases [10] 分组6: Dividend-Paying Stocks - Ares Capital, Energy Transfer, Starwood Capital, UPS, and Verizon are noted for their lucrative dividends and solid records of stable or growing dividends, making them attractive for passive income generation [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three companies offering high dividend yields significantly above the S&P 500 average, which is currently around 1.1% [1] Group 1: Starwood Property Trust - Starwood Property Trust leads with a 10.3% dividend yield, supported by a diversified portfolio of income-producing properties and real estate-backed loans [3][4] - The REIT has maintained its dividend for over a decade and recently expanded its portfolio through a $2.2 billion acquisition, which includes 467 properties with a 17-year weighted average lease term and a 2.2% average annual rent escalation [4][6] - Starwood has made $10.2 billion in new investments in 2025, including a record $800 million in infrastructure lending, which supports its ability to continue paying high dividends [6] Group 2: Western Midstream Partners - Western Midstream Partners offers a 9.2% yield, generating stable cash flow from energy midstream infrastructure backed by long-term contracts [7][9] - The MLP expects to produce between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in free cash flow this year, sufficient to cover its distribution payments and capital expenditures [9][10] - The company has a strong balance sheet with a leverage ratio of 2.8 times and recently completed a $2 billion acquisition, which contributed to a 13% increase in its payout this year [9][10] Group 3: Verizon - Verizon provides a 6.8% yield, with a history of increasing its dividend for 19 consecutive years, supported by recurring revenue from mobile and broadband contracts [11][12] - The company generated $28 billion in cash flow from operations in the first nine months of the year, covering capital spending and dividend payments with a surplus of $7.2 billion [13] - Verizon anticipates generating more free cash flow in 2026 and is working on a $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications to enhance its service offerings [14]

Core Viewpoint - The energy sector has underperformed compared to the broader market, with average energy stocks in the S&P 500 up about 4% year-to-date, while the broader market index rose nearly 18% due to lower oil prices [1][2] Group 1: ConocoPhillips - ConocoPhillips is a leading oil and gas producer with a diversified portfolio and low operating costs [4] - The company requires an average oil price in the mid-$40s to sustain capital spending and about $10 more per barrel to fund its dividend, currently generating substantial surplus free cash flow with crude oil priced in the low $60s [4][5] - Expected completion of large-scale liquefied natural gas projects and the Willow oil project in Alaska could add an incremental $6 billion in annual free cash flow by 2029, assuming a $60 oil price [5] - ConocoPhillips produced $6.1 billion in free cash flow through the first nine months of the year and recently increased its dividend by 8%, aiming for dividend growth within the top 10% of S&P 500 companies [7] Group 2: Oneok - Oneok is one of the largest energy midstream companies in the U.S., generating stable cash flow supported by long-term contracts and government-regulated rate structures [8] - The company has expanded its midstream platform through acquisitions, including Magellan Midstream Partners and Medallion Midstream, totaling $10.2 billion [10] - Oneok expects to capture hundreds of millions in cost savings and synergies from these acquisitions and has approved several organic expansion projects, which should enhance its dividend growth by 3% to 4% annually [11] Group 3: NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy is a leading electric utility and energy infrastructure development company, with a Florida-based utility generating steadily rising rate-regulated earnings [12] - The company plans to invest upwards of $100 billion by 2032 to support growing energy demand in Florida, alongside investments in electricity transmission lines and clean power projects [14] - Expected compound annual earnings-per-share growth of over 8% over the next decade positions NextEra Energy to increase its dividend by 10% next year and at a 6% compound annual growth rate through at least 2028 [15] Group 4: Overall Investment Potential - ConocoPhillips, Oneok, and NextEra Energy are identified as top energy stocks with visible growth ahead, expected to continue increasing their high-yielding dividends [16]

Core Viewpoint - In a low-yielding environment, several companies are prioritizing dividend payments, offering significantly higher yields compared to the S&P 500's record low of around 1.1% [1][2]. Company Summaries - **Ares Capital**: Offers a 9.6% dividend yield, focusing on debt and equity investments in private middle-market companies. The company has maintained a stable to growing dividend for 16 years and committed to invest $3.9 billion in new and existing portfolio companies during Q3 [4][5]. - **Brookfield Renewable Partners**: Currently yields 5.5%, significantly higher than its corporate counterpart. The company generates steady cash flow through long-term power purchase agreements and plans to increase its dividend by 5% to 9% annually [7][8]. - **Energy Transfer**: Provides an 8.2% yielding distribution, operating a diversified platform of energy midstream assets. The company plans to invest $5.2 billion in growth projects in 2026, supporting a projected annual payout increase of 3% to 5% [9][11]. - **Starwood Capital**: Yields 10.4% and has diversified its portfolio beyond floating-rate commercial mortgages to include residential and infrastructure lending. The recent acquisition of Fundamental Income Properties for $2.2 billion aims to enhance dividend sustainability [12][13]. - **Vici Properties**: Offers a 6.5% yield, investing in high-quality properties secured by long-term net leases. The REIT has grown its dividend at a 6.6% compound annual rate since 2018 and has announced a $1.2 billion sale-leaseback transaction to support future growth [16][17]. Investment Opportunity - Companies like Brookfield Renewable, Energy Transfer, Ares Capital, Starwood Capital, and Vici Properties are highlighted as strong dividend stocks for 2026, backed by sustainable financial profiles and prioritizing shareholder payouts [18].

Core Insights - The S&P 500's dividend yield is at a historic low of approximately 1.2%, while several stocks offer significantly higher yields, including those in the double digits [1] AGNC Investment - AGNC Investment currently yields 13.6%, over 10 times higher than the S&P 500 [3] - The REIT invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS) guaranteed against credit losses by government agencies, generating low-risk, fixed-income returns [3] - AGNC's return on equity is in the mid-to-high teens, aligning with its cost of capital, allowing it to maintain its monthly dividend since early 2020 [4] Delek Logistics Partners - Delek Logistics Partners has a current yield of 10.1% and operates as a master limited partnership (MLP) with a portfolio of energy midstream assets [6] - The MLP expects to generate cash flow sufficient to cover its dividend payout by 1.3 times this year, providing a cushion for operational investments [8] - Delek Logistics has increased its distribution for 51 consecutive quarters, indicating strong financial flexibility for future growth [9] Ares Capital Corporation - Ares Capital Corporation offers a dividend yield of 9.6% and invests in private companies through debt and equity [10] - The company has maintained a stable or increasing dividend rate for over 16 years, with a cumulative net realized loss of 0% since inception [12] - Ares Capital raised over $1 billion in fresh capital in Q3, enabling new investments and supporting its dividend payments [13] Summary of High-Yield Stocks - AGNC Investment, Delek Logistics Partners, and Ares Capital Corporation provide substantial yields and have solid records of maintaining or increasing their dividends, appealing to risk-tolerant investors seeking income [14]

Core Insights - The article highlights six stocks that offer high-yielding dividends expected to grow in the coming years, amidst a low dividend yield environment in the S&P 500 at around 1.1% [1] Group 1: Clearway Energy - Clearway Energy is a major clean power producer with a diverse portfolio of renewable energy and natural gas assets, providing a 5.5% dividend yield supported by long-term fixed-rate power purchase agreements [3][4] - The company plans to distribute approximately 70% of its stable cash flow as dividends, aiming for a free cash flow growth of 5% to 8% annually, which will support future dividend increases [4] Group 2: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners owns a diversified portfolio of energy midstream assets, generating stable cash flow with a current distribution yield of 6.8%, comfortably covered by 1.5 times [6][7] - The company has a strong balance sheet and has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years, with significant capital project completions planned for the second half of the year and further expansions in 2026 [7] Group 3: Healthpeak Properties - Healthpeak Properties is a REIT focused on healthcare-related properties, offering a 7.3% monthly dividend supported by stable cash flow [8][9] - The REIT has a conservative payout ratio and is looking to generate $1 billion from potential sales to reinvest in outpatient medical development and lab properties, which should enhance future dividend growth [9] Group 4: Realty Income - Realty Income is another REIT with a diversified commercial real estate portfolio, currently yielding 5.6% and backed by stable cash flow [11][12] - The company has a strong balance sheet and plans to invest $6 billion this year, which will help in increasing its dividend, having done so 133 times since its public listing in 1994 [12] Group 5: Main Street Capital - Main Street Capital is a business development company providing capital to smaller private firms, currently offering a 5.1% monthly dividend, with a goal to steadily increase this rate [13][14] - The company has raised its monthly dividend by 4% over the past year and has a total yield of 7.6% when including supplemental quarterly dividends [14] Group 6: Verizon - Verizon generates stable cash flow from its mobile and broadband services, currently yielding 6.8% and has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years [16][17] - The company is in the process of acquiring Frontier Communications for $20 billion, which is expected to enhance its fiber network and customer service offerings, potentially increasing profit margins [17] Conclusion - These six companies are positioned to provide stable cash flow and high-yielding dividends, making them attractive options for investors seeking income in 2026 and beyond [18]

This MLP offers a higher-octane income stream.Energy Transfer (ET +1.14%) is one of the largest and most diversified energy midstream companies. It owns interests in over 140,000 miles of pipelines across the country that transport crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and refined products. The master limited partnership (MLP) also owns processing plants, export terminals, and other related energy midstream infrastructure. I own units of Energy Transfer, which is one of my favorite high-yielding inve ...