#income-investing

#income-investing

If you've got sidelined capital ready to put to work, you might want to consider the high-yielding JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ), operating on all cylinders. With a high yield of 10.1% that far exceeds the broader market on top of $32.6 billion in total assets under management, JEPQ has delivered a double-digit percentage return over the past six months alone of approximately 11%.

As new bonds get issued at lower rates and cash rates decline, investors start to quickly look for ways they can rotate out of these asset classes and move somewhere else that pays income. Enter the income-generating monthly ETF, which often benefits twice in these kinds of environments as its yields stay competitive and the share price tends to rise as demand increases. In other words, investors win on both sides as they get a shareholder boost thanks to growth, all while receiving monthly "paychecks."

If you're a retiree or nearing retirement, you should be thinking about investments with steady income streams. Ideally, you'll reinvest that income, but you also have the option of cashing out your dividends if needed. This passive income can supplement your retirement account withdrawals and Social Security. Some retirees will use dividends to cover ongoing costs such as housing and groceries.

When income matters more than growth, retirees turn to funds that deliver quarterly checks without volatility. The iShares Core High Dividend ETF ( NYSEARCA:HDV) yields 3.3%, triple the S&P 500's 1.03%. That difference translates to predictable cash flow for investors who need their portfolio to pay bills. Built for Income, Not Speculation HDV tracks 75 U.S. companies screened for dividend sustainability and financial health. The fund concentrates in defensive sectors where cash flow holds up when growth stocks stumble.

Sure, there are some products that pay out increasing amounts over time (such as annuities and other structured products). But for investors holding more traditional portfolios consisting of a mix of stocks and bonds, the bond portion of one's portfolio is typically fixed or fluctuates alongside interest rate movements over time. In contrast, investing in dividend-paying stocks with a track record of raising their dividend distributions over time can provide passive income streams with inflation protection.

2025 has seen some record levels set by the Dow Jones Average and the S&P 500, but income based solutions, especially those depending on prevailing interest rates, were artificially high yielding due to glaring missteps by the Federal Reserve to cut rates during the massive double digit inflation under Bidenomics, and its stubborn refusal to cut rates during the Trump economic resurgence, which massive cut inflation and fuel prices, among other things.

First, if you're not familiar with ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, they're funds that invest in a bucket of assets. In the case of SCHD, the fund tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. That index is comprised of high-quality U.S. businesses with at least 10 years of consistent dividend payments, and dividend payments that are deemed to be sustainable.

Listen up, dividend overachievers! With a mere $2,500 per stock or exchange traded fund (ETF), it's entirely possible to bring in $3,500 worth of passive income per year. To sweeten the deal, we can build out a master plan that will get you paid on a monthly basis and maybe even on a weekly basis. The trick is to look into the realm of real estate, where the stocks can pay surprisingly high yields.

The bigger question isn't whether you can earn a 5% yield, you can, but it's more of a question as to how to do so safely. This doesn't mean safe, like keeping your cash under a mattress safe, since there is no interest earned. On the other hand, you have to think about what your risk level truly is, and while you don't want to chase too much risk, you can't avoid it at all.

Even as the investing world continues to debate whether we are or are not in an "AI bubble," there shouldn't be any question whether AI-driven dividend stocks are still enjoying a moment. As artificial intelligence dominates much of the daily conversation in the tech world, these stocks and their shareholders are all enjoying outstanding returns. The good news is that not every AI-driven dividend stock is under the microscope as part of the bubble.

Most dividend exchange-traded funds pay out every quarter. For many retirees, this does not align with how they spend money or budget, so it's worth looking into weekly ETFs like Roundhill Magnificent Seven Covered Call ETF (BATS:MAGY ) , and Nicholas Crypto Income ETF (NYSEARCA:BLOX ) . Weekly dividend ETFs are in very few people's bucket lists. They're a rare type of ETF, but they've done outstandingly well in the current environment.

There is no question that this market is obsessed with fast growth and flashy returns, something you can learn just by going online and looking at websites like Reddit and other trading forums. The thing is, dividend compounders win by doing the opposite of flashy, as it rewards patience. Instead of chasing the hype, the best dividend earners forget it and quietly reinvest profits through DRIP.

Most investors are well aware of the distinction between most dividend stocks and dividend aristocrats. The latter group is comprised of companies that have paid out a growing dividend for more than 25 years. Among this group, we have dividend kings, which have paid increasing dividends for more than five decades straight. I'm going to highlight three such companies in this piece.

Bigger quarterly distributions can really add up over time. For serious yield hunters, the Fidelity High Dividend ETF ( NYSEARCA:FDVV) is a terrific pick in 2025. First and foremost, the FDVV features a trailing 12-month distribution yield of 3.1%. That's not a guarantee of the fund's future yield, but the Fidelity High Dividend ETF has been consistent in rewarding its loyal shareholders over the long term.

During these uncertain times, with further fallout from tariffs still threatening to rear its head, dividend income is more valuable than ever, and one particular dividend ETF , Vanguard's High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) fund, moves to the front of the line. As the name suggests, this ETF targets large-cap domestic stocks that are on the radar to pay higher-than-average dividend yields based on forward dividend yield.

All of the major Wall Street firms we cover here at 24/7 Wall St. have a list of the top stock picks for their institutional and retail clients to invest in. Typically, these are companies that analysts have a high level of conviction in and feel strongly about their fundamentals and forward-looking prospects. In addition, they often have good upside to the assigned price target and are bestowed with either a Buy or Overweight rating, depending on the company providing the coverage.

"Because of the strong dividend income REITs provide, they are an important investment both for retirement savers and for retirees who require a continuing income stream to meet their living expenses. REITs' dividends are substantial because they are required to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to their shareholders annually. Their dividends are fueled by the stable stream of contractual rents paid by the tenants of their properties," says REIT.com.