Market Overview - The S&P 500 is generally flat in January 2026, following three years of double-digit growth, with short-term movements likely influenced by upcoming important earnings reports [1] Dividend Stocks - It is essential to include excellent dividend stocks in investment portfolios to mitigate volatility during market growth periods, especially for retirees and growth-focused investors [2] - A list of top dividend stocks is provided for long-term holding [3] Company Highlights - **Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO)**: A Dividend King with a 63-year history of annual dividend increases, currently yielding 2.8% [5] - **Realty Income (NYSE: O)**: A leading REIT with 15,500 properties globally, known for its reliable monthly dividends, yielding 5.3% [6] - **Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT)**: The largest company by sales with over $700 billion in revenue, a Dividend King with a 52-year history of annual dividend increases, currently yielding 0.8% [7][8] - **Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)**: The second-largest U.S. bank, reflecting U.S. economic growth, with a dividend yield of 2.1% [9]

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2026) - Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: CRR.UN) ("Crombie") today acknowledged the announcement by Empire Company Limited ("Empire") regarding its plans to wind-down and close its Customer Fulfillment Centre (CFC) operations in Alberta while continuing to serve customers in Ontario and Quebec through its Voilà banner, supported by its existing CFCs.As outlined in Empire's press release today, operations at its CFC in Calgary are included in ...

Core Viewpoint - NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. has announced the tax treatment of its common stock dividends declared in 2025, providing essential information for stockholders regarding their tax reporting obligations [1][2]. Tax Treatment of Distributions - The total dividend distribution for 2025 is $1.72 per share, with $1.48 classified as ordinary dividends and $0.24 as Section 199A dividends [3]. - Each quarterly dividend payment of $0.43 per share consists of $0.37 in ordinary dividends and $0.06 in Section 199A dividends, applicable for the record dates of March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2025 [3]. - The cash distribution made on January 15, 2026, is treated as income and taxable in the calendar year 2025 [3]. Company Overview - NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that provides capital to state-licensed cannabis operators through sale-leaseback transactions and funding for build-to-suit projects [8]. - The company owns a portfolio of 34 properties, including 15 cultivation facilities and 19 dispensaries, primarily leased to single tenants under triple-net lease agreements [8].

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Company”) (NYSE:ARI) today announced the Company has entered into a definitive agreement with Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”) to sell the Company’s entire approximately $9 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio for a purchase price based on 99.7% of total loan commitments, net of asset specific CECL reserves, and with the exception of two loans with a combined total principal balance of $146 million ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three under-the-radar dividend stocks that offer attractive yields, significantly higher than the S&P 500's current yield of approximately 1.1% [1]. Group 1: Ares Capital - Ares Capital (ARCC) has a dividend yield of 9.5% and operates as a business development company (BDC), required to pay out at least 90% of its taxable income as dividends [2]. - The company has maintained stable-to-increasing dividends for 16 years, despite challenges faced by many BDCs [2]. - Ares Capital focuses on providing capital to middle-market companies with annual revenues between $100 million and $1 billion, generating income through direct loans and equity investments [3]. Group 2: Starwood Property Trust - Starwood Property Trust (STWD) leads with a dividend yield of 10.7% and has never cut its dividend since its IPO in 2009 [6]. - The REIT has maintained its dividend payout rate for over a decade, despite challenges faced by other REITs [6]. - Starwood has diversified its investments from commercial mortgages to high-quality real estate assets and infrastructure lending, which has reduced risk and provided new growth opportunities [9]. - The recent $2.2 billion acquisition of Fundamental Income Properties added 467 properties with long-term leases, enhancing its rental income stability [10]. Group 3: Western Midstream Partners - Western Midstream Partners (WES) offers a distribution yield of 9% and operates as a master limited partnership (MLP) [11]. - The MLP reset its distribution level in 2020 due to the pandemic but has since rebuilt its payout to above pre-pandemic levels [11]. - The company owns energy midstream assets that generate stable cash flow, which is used for distributions and growth investments [13]. - Western Midstream aims to increase its high-yielding payout at a low-to-mid single-digit annual rate and has recently closed a $2 billion acquisition of Aris Water Solutions [14].

Core Viewpoint - Four Corners Property Trust (FCPT) has successfully acquired a GreatWater 360 Auto Care property for $2.3 million through a sale-leaseback transaction, indicating a strategic move to enhance its portfolio of high-quality, net-leased properties [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition cost of the GreatWater 360 Auto Care property is $2.3 million [1] - The property is situated in a highly trafficked corridor in Minnesota, suggesting a favorable location for retail operations [1] - The property is corporate-operated under a long-term, triple net lease, which provides stable income for the company [1]

Core Viewpoint - Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation (CHMI) is a mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) that provides a high dividend yield through its common shares and also offers two preferred shares [1] Company Overview - CHMI specializes in investing in mortgages, which positions it uniquely within the real estate investment trust sector [1] - The company has a focus on income investing, targeting returns through common shares, preferred shares, or bonds [1] Investment Strategy - The investment strategy includes a commitment to publish articles on income investing, with a frequency of two articles per week [1] - The articles may also cover broader economic topics or specific situations related to companies under research [1] Background of the Analyst - The analyst has a background in history and political science, along with a Master's in Business Administration specializing in Finance and Economics [1] - The analyst has been investing since 2000 and currently serves as the CEO of an independent living retirement community in Illinois [1]

Investors might want to bet on Apollo Commerical Finance (ARI) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by th ...

Core Viewpoint - Realty Income has declared its second monthly dividend for 2026, maintaining a consistent payout trend over the past decade, with a dividend of $0.27 per share scheduled for payment on February 13, 2026 [1]. Dividend Declaration - The next dividend amount remains unchanged at $0.27 per share, with the ex-dividend date set for January 30, 2026, and the last payment date on January 15, 2026 [2]. Dividend Income Projections - If the dividend schedule remains consistent throughout 2026, the total projected annual dividend income could reach $325, despite fluctuations in past payouts [3]. Yield Comparison - Realty Income, known as "The Monthly Dividend Company," offers a dividend yield of approximately 5.33%–5.36%, which is significantly higher than the average yield of 4.46% in the broader real estate sector [4]. Payout Ratio Concerns - The forward payout ratio stands at 188.8%, indicating that dividends may currently exceed projected earnings, raising questions about long-term sustainability if earnings growth does not improve [5]. Investment Appeal - With a forward annual dividend payout of $3.24 per share, Realty Income remains appealing for investors seeking consistent monthly income, although the high payout ratio may concern those prioritizing dividend durability [6].

Group 1: Stablecoins Overview - Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a stable value, typically pegged to the U.S. dollar or equivalent assets, and are becoming a significant topic in treasury and finance discussions due to the passage of the GENIUS Act [1] - Tether, a leading stablecoin provider, has $187 billion in assets and plans for U.S. expansion, with a reported profit of around $15 billion in 2025 [2][4] - Tether has acquired more Treasury bills than large economies like South Korea, along with significant amounts of Bitcoin and gold, which has enabled it to rewire global financial networks [3] Group 2: Tether's Market Position - Tether dominates the stablecoin sector, with USDT's market capitalization of $187 billion and daily trading volume exceeding that of all its competitors combined, despite U.S. citizens being largely restricted from using Tether's coin [4] - Tether is expanding its influence beyond finance, making substantial investments in various sectors including satellites, data centers, farming, telecommunications, and media [5] Group 3: Private Equity Insights - KPMG's "Q4 2025 Pulse of Private Equity" report indicates that U.S. private equity investment totaled about $1.1 trillion in 2025, although deal volume declined to 8,232 transactions from 9,054 in 2024 [8] - The report highlights a release of pent-up demand leading to clearer rate expectations and a return of investor confidence, although this has not yet translated into increased deal volume [9] - Pricing dynamics are expected to impact the higher end of the market, with higher entry multiples required for deals, leading to increased competition and more club deals [10]