Income-focused investors don’t have to sacrifice stability for returns. These three high-yield dividend stocks not only offer attractive payouts but are also backed by strong fundamentals, making them compelling buys for long-term portfolios. Dividend Stock #1: Verizon Communications (VZ) Dividend Yield: 6.36% More News from Barchart My first pick is Verizon Communications (VZ), which continues to show why it is one of the market's most consistent dividend payers. Verizon is a major U.S. telecommunicati ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three ultra-high-yield dividend stocks that are considered reliable and likely to continue paying and growing their dividends, providing reassurance to income investors. Group 1: Enbridge - Enbridge offers a forward dividend yield of approximately 5.4% and has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years, indicating strong dividend reliability [3][6] - About 75% of Enbridge's total revenue comes from its pipelines and midstream operations, which have minimal exposure to volatile commodity prices [4] - Enbridge is the largest natural gas utility in North America, delivering 9.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas to 7 million customers daily, enhancing the safety of its dividends [5] - The company has demonstrated reliable distributable cash flow during turbulent periods, including the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic [6] Group 2: Realty Income - Realty Income has a dividend yield of 5.4% and has also increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years, similar to Enbridge [7] - Realty Income pays dividends monthly and is structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT), which must distribute at least 90% of its income as dividends to avoid federal income taxes [8] - The company has delivered a compound annual total return of 13.5% since its listing in 1994 and has shown positive operational returns for 29 consecutive years [9] - Realty Income owns over 15,600 properties across 91 industries, providing impressive stability through a diversified portfolio [10] - The total addressable market for net lease properties is estimated at $14 trillion, with Europe accounting for $8.5 trillion, presenting solid growth prospects for Realty Income [11] Group 3: Verizon Communications - Verizon Communications offers a dividend yield of 6.4% and has increased its dividend payout for 19 consecutive years [12] - Despite intense competition in the wireless services market, Verizon has maintained strong performance, posting the highest revenue in the industry in Q2 2025 [13] - The company has the most broadband and mobile customers and has been recognized for having the top-ranked network in the nation [13] - The high cost of building infrastructure for wireless services makes it unlikely for new entrants to disrupt the market [14] - Verizon's guidance for free cash flow this year is $20 billion, providing ample coverage for its dividend payments [15]

Core Insights - AT&T and T-Mobile are leading players in the North American telecommunications industry, providing a wide range of services including wireless, broadband, and cloud-based solutions [1][3] - The industry is experiencing growth due to increased data traffic from high data-intensive applications, federal initiatives for digital inclusivity, and the adoption of AI technologies [2] AT&T Analysis - AT&T reported 479,000 post-paid net additions in Q2, with a postpaid churn rate of 1.02% and an increase in ARPU to $57.04, driven by improved international roaming and higher-priced plans [4] - The company is expanding its fiber broadband business, achieving 243,000 net fiber additions and 203,000 Internet Air subscribers in Q2, with a goal to reach 50 million customer locations by 2030 [5] - AT&T is acquiring wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar to enhance its 5G capabilities across 400 markets, although this comes with increased capex burden [6] T-Mobile Analysis - T-Mobile leads the 5G market with coverage for 98% of Americans, utilizing the mid-band 2.5 GHz spectrum for superior speed and coverage [7] - The company added 1.7 million postpaid net customers in Q2, with a postpaid churn rate of 0.9% and an increase in average revenue per account to $149.87 [8][9] - T-Mobile's acquisition of US Cellular's wireless operations has strengthened its home broadband offerings and fixed wireless products [9] Competitive Landscape - Both companies face intense competition in a saturated market, with T-Mobile launching low-priced plans to attract customers, which is impacting margins [11] - T-Mobile's stock is trading at a premium valuation compared to the industry, raising concerns for investors [11] - AT&T's focus on operational efficiency and fiber expansion, along with its recent performance, positions it favorably compared to T-Mobile [19] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects T-Mobile's 2025 sales growth at 6.48% and EPS growth at 9.83%, while AT&T's sales growth is estimated at 2.16% with a decline in EPS by 9.29% [12][14] - Over the past year, T-Mobile's stock has gained 17.4%, while AT&T has outperformed with a gain of 32.8% [15] Valuation Metrics - T-Mobile's shares trade at a forward P/E ratio of 20.50, higher than the industry average of 13.59, while AT&T trades at 13.47 [15]

Core Insights - Three companies, Realty Income, Verizon, and Pfizer, have consistently raised their dividend payouts for over 16 years while offering attractive yields above 5% [2] Group 1: Realty Income - Realty Income has been providing monthly dividend payments for over 50 years, but its stock price has declined about 22% from its peak three years ago [4] - The company employs net leases, which ensure predictable cash flows, and has raised its dividend 131 times since going public in 1994 [5] - Realty Income's stock currently offers a yield of 5.5%, with total distributions in Q2 increasing by 3.7% year over year [6] - As of June, 98.6% of Realty Income's 15,606 properties were occupied, with an average lease term of nine years, ensuring steady cash flow growth [7] Group 2: Verizon - Verizon's stock is down about 28% from its all-time high in late 2019, yet it has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years, currently offering a yield of 6.1% [8][9] - The company's wireless service revenue rose 2.2% year over year to $20.9 billion in Q2, contributing to a total revenue increase of 5.2% [9] - Verizon has raised its free cash flow forecast for 2025 to between $19.5 billion and $20.5 billion, indicating the ability to maintain dividends while reducing debt [10] Group 3: Pfizer - Pfizer's stock has decreased by about 59% from its 2021 peak, primarily due to concerns over expiring drug patents, but it has raised its dividend every year since 2009, currently offering a yield of 6.8% [11] - The company anticipates a revenue decline of $17 billion to $18 billion due to patent expirations starting in 2026, but it has prepared for this by acquiring Seagen for $43 billion [12] - By 2030, assets from Seagen and other acquisitions are expected to generate over $20 billion in annual sales, potentially allowing Pfizer to continue its dividend-raising streak [13]

Industry Innovation - World Mobile launched a drone-based decentralized telecom network [1] - The network aims to deliver wireless services from the stratosphere [1]

Group 1 - Verizon Communications reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance, marking its 35th consecutive year of being recognized for the best wireless network quality by J.D. Power [1] - The company's forward price-to-earnings ratio is below 9.2, significantly lower than the S&P 500's forward earnings multiple of 22.7, indicating that Verizon's shares are not priced for perfection [8] - Verizon's business is largely resistant to the impact of tariffs and overall economic downturns, as wireless services are considered essential by consumers [10] Group 2 - The company is on track to close the acquisition of Frontier Communications in early 2026, which is expected to boost growth [12] - Verizon's forward dividend yield is 6.3%, providing a strong foundation for delivering double-digit percentage total returns, supported by an increase in free cash flow expected this year [13]

Core Viewpoint - T-Mobile (TMUS) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on a company's changing earnings picture, specifically the consensus of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [1][2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, largely due to institutional investors using these estimates to calculate fair value [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for T-Mobile indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by pushing the stock price higher [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for T-Mobile - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, T-Mobile is expected to earn $10.56 per share, reflecting a 9.3% increase from the previous year [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for T-Mobile has increased by 1.4%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8]. Zacks Rank System Overview - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - T-Mobile's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a year-over-year increase in free cash flow of $79 million for Q1 2025, an increase of $18 million compared to the same quarter last year [14] - Total operating revenues decreased by 3% compared to the prior year, impacted by divestitures and declines in commercial and wholesale revenue [47] - Cash expenses increased by 6% or $11 million in the quarter compared to the prior year, with part of the increase attributed to stock-based compensation adjustments [47] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company saw a 6% increase in third-party tower revenues due to new co-locations and escalators on renewed leases [13] - Fiber service addresses grew by 6% year-over-year, with 14,000 new addresses delivered in the quarter [19][36] - Residential broadband net additions were 2,800, with 8,300 coming from fiber markets, lower than prior quarters due to timing of service address delivery [37][40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to face competitive pressures in the wireless market, with aggressive promotions from competitors impacting service revenues [15] - The fiber strategy is expected to drive growth, with a target of achieving 40% average penetration in steady state within five years after launch [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on completing the transaction with T-Mobile, which is expected to close in mid-2025, and is preparing for a smooth transition [9][10] - Post-transaction, the company plans to declare a special dividend to shareholders, with proceeds expected to be used to repay outstanding bank debt [11][19] - The company is also investing in its fiber program, aiming to expand its footprint and improve operational efficiency [39][100] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged increased uncertainties in the broader economy and markets but remains optimistic about the long-term potential of the tower business [13][18] - The company expects to continue facing competitive pressures but believes the T-Mobile transaction will provide better competitive choices and connectivity experiences for customers [16][17] - Management is confident in achieving $100 million in annual cost savings by 2028 through transformation efforts [39][78] Other Important Information - The company does not plan to redeem its Series UU and Series BV preferred stock, viewing them as foundational capital for future operations [11][73] - The company is actively evaluating its portfolio for potential divestitures, particularly in copper markets without an economic path to fiber [99] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing of designated entity spectrum approval - The timing is uncertain and dependent on regulatory approval by the FCC, but there is optimism for a positive outcome [58] Question: Free cash flow run rate - The reported free cash flow of $79 million is not necessarily a run rate, but capital expenditures are expected to be down in 2025, which is positive for free cash flow [60][61] Question: Debt exchange offer impact - The debt exchange offer will be launched about 50 days before the anticipated close, and the amount of debt exchanged will impact the purchase price [62][111] Question: Fiber net adds and sales efforts - Fiber net adds were lower due to timing of address delivery, but as construction ramps up, net adds are expected to improve [66] Question: Rationale for remaining a public entity - The incremental cost to operate as a public company is minimal, and there are no immediate incentives to collapse the structure [107][108]

Core Insights - TDS reported total operating revenues of $1,154 million for Q1 2025, a decrease of 9% from $1,262 million in Q1 2024 [1][27] - The net loss attributable to TDS common shareholders was $(10) million, translating to a diluted loss per share of $(0.09), compared to a net income of $12 million and diluted earnings of $0.10 in the same period last year [1][27] Group 1: Financial Performance - UScellular's operating revenues decreased by 6% to $891 million in Q1 2025 from $950 million in Q1 2024 [27] - TDS Telecom's revenues also fell by 3% to $257 million from $266 million year-over-year [27] - Total operating expenses for TDS decreased by 6% to $1,119 million from $1,195 million in the previous year [27] Group 2: Strategic Developments - TDS is in the process of selling its wireless operations to T-Mobile, with the transaction expected to close in mid-2025, pending regulatory approval [3] - TDS Telecom is focusing on fiber deployment, adding 14,000 marketable fiber service addresses in Q1 2025 [2] - The tower business is experiencing growth, with third-party tower revenues increasing by 6% in the quarter [2] Group 3: Operational Metrics - Postpaid handset gross additions increased, while net losses improved, indicating a positive trend in customer retention [8] - TDS Telecom added 2,800 residential broadband net additions, with a total of 555,800 broadband connections as of March 31, 2025 [23] - The average revenue per user (ARPU) for postpaid customers was $52.06, showing a slight increase from $51.73 in the previous quarter [16]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications is facing challenges in subscriber growth and competition, leading to a significant decline in stock price despite being a historically reliable income stock with a long history of dividend increases [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In 2024, Verizon generated 76% of its consolidated revenue from its consumer segment, with 115 million wireless retail connections, 10 million broadband connections, and approximately 3 million Fios video connections [4]. - Verizon's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) declined 2.5% to $4.59, but this still covered its $2.67 per share in dividends for the full year [8]. - For 2025, Verizon expects wireless service revenue to grow by 2% to 2.8%, adjusted EPS to rise by 0% to 3%, and adjusted EBITDA to increase by 2% to 3.5% [11]. Group 2: Subscriber Growth and Market Position - Verizon's growth in postpaid wireless subscribers has been sluggish, struggling against AT&T and T-Mobile's competitive pricing and promotions [5]. - In 2024, Verizon's total number of wireless retail postpaid subscribers grew 1.4% to 95.12 million, attributed to localized incentives and marketing campaigns [7]. - In the first quarter of 2025, Verizon lost 289,000 postpaid phone subscribers, while competitors AT&T and T-Mobile gained 324,000 and 495,000 new postpaid wireless phone subscribers, respectively [9]. Group 3: Strategic Moves - To enhance its fiber network expansion and reduce reliance on the wireless market, Verizon agreed to acquire Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal, expected to close by the first quarter of 2026 [10]. - Verizon's ongoing promotions have pressured its margins, but it has mitigated this by trimming its workforce and divesting lower-margin businesses [7]. Group 4: Investment Outlook - Analysts expect Verizon's revenue and adjusted EPS to grow by 2% in 2025, indicating a stable outlook but requiring consistent expansion in higher-growth areas [12]. - Verizon is not considered an undervalued stock due to its anemic growth and competition, but it is not viewed as a high-yield trap either, as it generates sufficient profits to cover its dividends [13]. - The company is seen as a worthwhile income investment at current levels, with a low valuation and high yield limiting downside potential, making it suitable for dividend-driven investors [14].