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]

Core Insights - Investing in high-yielding dividend stocks like MPLX and Clearway Energy can generate significant passive income, with a combined annual income of nearly $68 from a $1,000 investment [1] Group 1: MPLX Overview - MPLX is a master limited partnership (MLP) that operates energy midstream assets, providing stable cash flow through long-term contracts [2] - The company generated over $2.9 billion in distributable cash flow in the first half of the year, covering its distribution comfortably by 1.5 times [3] - MPLX has multiple expansion projects, including gas pipelines and processing plants, expected to enhance future cash flow growth through 2029 [4] Group 2: Financial Flexibility and Growth - MPLX maintains a leverage ratio of 3.1 times, allowing for acquisitions and investments, including a $2.4 billion purchase of Northwind Midstream [5] - The company has consistently increased its distribution since 2012, with a compound annual growth rate of over 10% since 2021, indicating strong earnings growth potential [6] Group 3: Clearway Energy Overview - Clearway Energy owns a diverse portfolio of clean power assets, generating predictable cash flow through long-term power purchase agreements [7] - The company expects to produce $2.08 per share of cash available for dividends (CAFD) this year, exceeding its current annual dividend rate of $1.78 per share [8] Group 4: Future Growth and Dividend Plans - Clearway is upgrading existing wind farms and acquiring new projects, aiming to increase its CAFD to over $2.50 per share by 2027, representing over 20% growth [9][10] - The company plans to raise its dividend to $1.98 per share by 2027, which is more than 11% above the current rate, with continued growth expected beyond 2027 [10] Group 5: Investment Appeal - Both MPLX and Clearway Energy generate stable cash flow, enabling high-yield dividends while expanding operations, making them attractive options for durable and rising passive income [11]

Group 1: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners has $6 billion in organic expansion projects expected to enter commercial service by the end of this year, with additional projects set to start in 2026, providing stable cash flow for continued distribution increases [1] - The current yield for Enterprise Products Partners is 6.9%, supported by stable cash flow from fee-based income derived from long-term contracts and regulated rate structures [2] - The company has a strong balance sheet, allowing for continued growth beyond the current year [1] Group 2: Clearway Energy - Clearway Energy aims to pay out 70%-80% of its stable cash flow as dividends, with expected cash available for dividends rising from $2.08 per share this year to $2.50-$2.70 per share by 2027, supporting a 5%-8% annual dividend growth target [3] - The company offers a 6.3% dividend yield, backed by predictable cash flow from long-term power purchase agreements with utilities and corporate buyers [4] Group 3: Vici Properties - Vici Properties has a current dividend yield of 5.4%, with a portfolio that includes long-term net leases that escalate rents in line with inflation, providing stable and rising rental income [6][8] - The REIT has extended its dividend growth streak to eight years, achieving a 6.6% compound annual growth rate during this period [8] Group 4: Verizon - Verizon has a dividend yield of 6.4% and is projected to generate between $19.5 billion and $20.5 billion in free cash flow this year, sufficient to cover its annual dividend commitment of less than $12 billion [9][10] - The company has a strong financial profile that supports strategic investments, including a $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications to enhance its fiber network [10][11] Group 5: W.P. Carey - W.P. Carey offers a 5.4% dividend yield, with a diversified portfolio secured by long-term net leases that provide stable cash flow [12] - The company has invested $1.3 billion in new properties this year and aims for an investment volume target of $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion [13][14] Group 6: Overall Market Context - The S&P 500 currently has a historically low dividend yield of 1.2%, making high-yield dividend stocks like Clearway Energy, Enterprise Products Partners, Verizon, Vici Properties, and W.P. Carey attractive for income-seeking investors [5][15]

Core Viewpoint - Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) and Delek Logistics Partners (DKL) are highlighted as reliable master limited partnerships (MLPs) in the energy sector, with EPD offering a yield of nearly 7% and DKL over 10% [1][2]. Group 1: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) - EPD has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years, making it a dependable income investment [1]. - The company operates one of the largest energy midstream platforms in the U.S., with over 50,000 miles of pipelines and various facilities that generate stable earnings [4]. - EPD generates cash to cover its distribution by 1.6 times, allowing for excess free cash flow for growth projects and unit repurchases [5]. - The company has $6 billion in organic growth projects set to enter service in the latter half of the year and plans to invest $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion in growth capital projects next year [6]. - EPD's recent acquisition of a gas gathering business from Occidental Petroleum is expected to enhance cash flow and support distribution increases [7]. - EPD has a strong financial profile with an A credit rating and a low leverage ratio of 3.1 times, providing ample capacity for growth and returns to investors [5]. Group 2: Delek Logistics Partners (DKL) - DKL has delivered its 50th consecutive quarterly distribution increase, showcasing its reliability [2]. - The company has diversified its operations, reducing reliance on Delek US Holdings from 58% of EBITDA in 2023 to an estimated 30% this year, which lowers its risk profile [8]. - DKL is focusing on organic expansion projects rather than relying on drop-down asset acquisitions, enhancing its growth prospects [9]. - The company has made strategic acquisitions, including a $285 million deal for Gravity Water and a $230 million acquisition of H2O Midstream [10]. - DKL ended the second quarter with a leverage ratio of 4.3 times and expects to cover its distribution by over 1.3 times this year, although its financial metrics are weaker than EPD's [11]. Group 3: Investment Comparison - EPD is considered a safer investment compared to DKL due to its larger scale, diversified asset base, and stronger financial profile, making it the better choice for passive income seekers [12].

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer is positioned as a strong income-generating investment opportunity, offering a yield significantly higher than the S&P 500, supported by stable cash flow and a solid financial profile [1][12]. Financial Performance - The company produced $2.3 billion in distributable cash flow in the first quarter, covering the $1.1 billion paid to investors, allowing for substantial excess free cash flow for new investments [4]. - Energy Transfer's adjusted EBITDA increased from $10.5 billion in 2020 to $15.5 billion in the previous year, with an expected growth of 5% for the current year [7]. Business Model - Energy Transfer operates a diverse portfolio of energy infrastructure assets, generating 90% of its annual EBITDA from fee-based sources backed by long-term contracts and regulated rate structures [3]. - The company's low-risk business model enables a steady cash flow, facilitating lucrative distributions to investors [4]. Growth Strategy - The company plans to invest approximately $5 billion into capital projects this year, with expansions including gas processing plants, export capacity, and a large-scale natural gas pipeline expected to enhance earnings by 2026 to 2027 [8]. - Energy Transfer is also close to approving a major liquefied natural gas export terminal and pursuing projects to supply natural gas to power plants and data centers, driven by rising production and demand [9]. Acquisitions - Recent strategic acquisitions include WTG Midstream for $3.3 billion, Crestwood Equity Partners for $7.1 billion, and Lotus Midstream for $1.5 billion, enhancing operations and cash flow [10]. - The company is in its strongest financial position in history, providing ample capacity for continued acquisitions [5][10]. Distribution Outlook - Energy Transfer aims to increase its distribution within a target range of 3% to 5% annually, supported by its growth drivers and stable cash flow [11].

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer is a leading midstream company that generates substantial cash flow through its diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure, making it an attractive investment for passive income seekers [1][2]. Financial Performance - The master limited partnership (MLP) generated $8.4 billion in cash last year, distributing $4.4 billion to investors, with a current distribution yield of 7.5% [2]. - The latest quarterly distribution payment is set at $0.3275 per unit, reflecting a more than 3% increase from the previous year [3]. - The company produced enough cash to cover its distribution by 1.9 times last year, with a 10% increase in distributable cash flow driven by acquisitions and organic growth [4]. Growth Strategy - Energy Transfer invested $3 billion in growth capital projects last year and plans to invest an additional $5 billion this year, targeting a 5% earnings growth [6][7]. - The company has ongoing expansion projects, including a large-scale LNG export terminal, and anticipates growth from increased demand in the Permian Basin and global LNG exports [8]. Acquisition Activity - Energy Transfer has a history of strategic acquisitions, including WTG Midstream and Crestwood Equity Partners, aimed at expanding its midstream system and enhancing earnings [9]. Investment Appeal - The company is characterized as an income-producing machine, providing a stable and growing cash distribution to investors, making it a suitable option for those interested in MLPs [10].