The Stock Market Can’t Make Up Its Mind. These 3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks Should Reward You Whichever Way It Goes.

 By Matt DiLallo, Neha Chamaria, and Reuben Gregg Brewer

Key Points

• Enterprise Products Partners is built to pay investors well no matter what comes its way.
• NextEra Energy generates very stable and growing cash flow to support its high-yielding payout.
• Brookfield Infrastructure can steadily grow its dividends, even amid uncertainty.

NYSE: EPD

Enterprise Products Partners

The stock market has gyrated wildly in recent weeks. The S&P 500 briefly entered bear market territory (a 20% decline from the recent peak) after a brutal stretch to start the month following President Donald Trump’s decision to levy heavy cal tariffs on imports. However, his decision to pause for 90 days sent stocks soaring in one of their best days since World War II.

This whipsaw action by the market makes it hard to know how to invest since many economists believe that tariffs of the magnitude the administration has announced could cause a major recession. While an economic downturn could significantly impact many companies, Fool.com contributors for the durability of their business models. Because of that, they should have no trouble continuing to pay and grow their high-yielding dividends, others have more recession-resistant businesses.

Enterprise Products Partners (EPD 1.17%), NextEra Energy (NEE -1.51%), and Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC 1.93%) (BIP 2.80%) stand out to a few

Enterprise Products Partners’ 6.9% yield is rock solid

Reuben Gregg Brewer (Enterprise Products Partners): With a string of 26 consecutive annual distribution increases, Enterprise Products Partners has a proven track record of rewarding investors well. Now, add in the midstream master limited partnership’s (MLP’s) lofty 6.9% distribution yield, and you can see why you might want to buy it. That said, there’s a lot more to like about Enterprise, given the market’s current upheaval.

Enterprise Products Partners

Key Data Points

Gross Margin

12.17%

Dividend Yield

7.09%

For starters, energy is a necessity of modern life. While energy prices can be volatile, the energy infrastructure that Enterprise owns tends to produce reliable cash flows because of the toll-taker nature of the midstream sector. So long as the demand for energy remains robust, which is highly likely, Enterprise will continue to have ample distributable cash flow to pay its distribution. On that score, the pipeline owner’s distributable cash flow covered its distribution by 1.7x in 2024. That leaves a lot of room for adversity before a cut would be in order.

Meanwhile, Enterprise’s balance sheet is investment-grade-rated, and the company has $7.6 billion worth of capital investment projects in the works. So, in a worst-case scenario, it could lean on its balance sheet to support its distribution if it had to. And in a best-case scenario, it has an opportunity to keep growing its distribution in the years ahead as new investments start to add to cash flow. All in, no matter what happens on Wall Street, Enterprise looks like it is prepared to keep paying investors very well to stick around.

Stable cash flow and steady growth

Matt DiLallo (NextEra Energy): NextEra Energy operates one of the country’s largest electric utilities (Florida Power & Light), which generates very stable cash flow backed by government-regulated rates and steady electricity demand. The company also has a large portfolio of energy infrastructure assets (NextEra Energy Resources) that produce stable cash flow backed by long-term, fixed-rate contracts. This business model produces tremendously durable cash flow that’s highly resistant to economic downturns.

Key Data Points

Gross Margin

37.11%

Dividend Yield

3.21%

For proof, we can look at NextEra Energy’s dividend. The utility has increased its payment every year for the past three decades, which included several recessions.

NextEra Energy fully expects to continue growing its high-yielding dividend (nearly 3.5%). Its target is to increase its payment by around 10% annually through at least 2026. Thanks to its below-average dividend payout ratio and the visible growth ahead, it can deliver that robust growth rate.

The utility expects to grow its adjusted earnings per share by a 6% to 8% annual rate through 2027 from last year’s baseline. Powering that growth is its heavy investment in building new renewable energy-generating capacity at FPL and within its energy resources segment.

Meanwhile, it has lots more growth ahead. Demand for electricity in the U.S. is accelerating, powered by the onshoring of manufacturing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. Forecasters project that power demand will grow a staggering 55% by 2040. That should provide NextEra Energy with plenty of opportunities to invest in expanding its power platforms.

The steady growth should continue

Neha Chamaria (Brookfield Infrastructure): Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend every year for 16 consecutive years now. Importantly, those dividends were always backed by growing cash flows, which is one of the biggest reasons why I believe this is among the few stocks that could reward you no matter where the stock markets go.

Brookfield Infrastructure

 BIPC

Key Data Points

Gross Margin

62.41%

Dividend Yield

4.75%

Brookfield Infrastructure grew its dividend by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% between 2009 and 2024 and funds from operations (FFO) per unit at a CAGR of 15% during the period. That means the company has generated enough cash flows year after year to invest in growth and pay bigger dividends. There’s a reason behind Brookfield Infrastructure’s solid FFO and dividend streak.

Brookfield Infrastructure owns and operates a large base of assets that are mostly regulated, such as utilities, rail and toll roads, midstream energy, and data centres. So, almost 85% of its FFO is regulated or contracted and indexed to inflation. That means Brookfield Infrastructure can generate steady cash flows regardless of how the economy fares, making this stock an intriguing bet during uncertain times.

Brookfield Infrastructure also consistently recycles capital, selling assets as they mature and using the proceeds to buy new assets. For example, in March, it sold a 25% stake in a U.S. gas pipeline. This month, it struck a deal to acquire midstream energy assets from Colonial Enterprises.

The steady flow of cash flows from its assets and proceeds from the sale of mature assets has helped Brookfield Infrastructure not only grow its business but also consistently reward shareholders. With shares of the corporation yielding 4.9%, units of the company’s partnership yielding 6.2%, and the company targeting 5% to 9% annual dividend growth, Brookfield Infrastructure is a dividend stock to double up on in today’s volatile times.

Here’s What to Do

Brett Owens, Chief Investment Strategist
Updated: April 9, 2025

“Americans prepping for retirement aren’t watching the markets,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday.

Scotty, please. At least try to pretend you have some connection with reality.

Sure, we income investors have it better than most hopeful and current retirees. We do not rely on stock prices for income, per se. Our dividend portfolios provide us with cash flow that we use to pay our bills.

Imagine living by the “4% withdrawal rule” right now, selling 4% of our stocks every year, hoping we don’t run out of money—while the S&P 500 is dropping 4% every day as Wall Street battens down the hatches for a global recession or worse?

Last time we checked in on 4% rule creator MIT grad and all-around-smart guy William Bengen in 2022, he was sweating out his retirement. Poor Billy B. was then cutting back on restaurants. Post-Liberation Day, our man may be eating ramen noodles and frozen spinach!

Our dividend portfolios, while better insulated from the tariff volatility than MAG 7 stocks, are not impervious to declines either. Much to Bessent’s surprise, we do watch the markets because our mission is to retire on dividends and keep our principal intact. And while it’s impossible to avoid a losing day, week, month or even year, over multi-year periods our nest egg grinds higher while our dividends keep churning.

We usually stay fully invested. But we exercise more caution during bear markets because, in steep selloffs, there is nowhere to run.

(And yes, I realize the S&P 500 has not yet officially hit bear market status, defined as a 20% drop from peak to trough using closing prices. That said, this is now a bear market.)

Mere corrections don’t have liquidations like we saw last Friday and into Monday’s session. Waterfall selloffs. Our dividend positions, which had enjoyed “flight to safety” money inflows all year, were whacked alongside everything else in the financial markets for a couple of days.

In the short term, this shows that investor capitulation is near. When our safe stuff gets hit, it is typically the end of a downside move. At least for now.

But in the long term, the price tantrum we have seen since the Liberation Day tariff announcement is no joke. The bear is back and things may stay nasty for the rest of 2025.

In bear markets, return of capital is crucial. Back in 2022, we successfully navigated similar turbulent waters together, reminding ourselves: “Cash is king,” “sell into rallies,” and “protect your principal above all else.” These principles are just as valid today.

To be honest, I didn’t think we would need them so soon! I’m old enough to remember when we saw one bear market per decade. This is already the third for the “roaring twenties”—we had a quick bear in 2020 that was extinguished early by money printing, an “orderly” drop in stocks and bonds throughout 2022, and now a third bear in April 2025.

Stanley Druckenmiller—arguably the investing GOAT—weighed in on X over the weekend in literally his fifth tweet ever. HE warned: “I do not support tariffs exceeding 10%—this path risks recession.”

This bear is still young, and it’s impossible to know how severe it will be. Don’t tell Bessent, but we will—wait for it—watch the market for clues.

Big picture, until the bear exits, caution will be crucial. Let’s review our bear market mantra:

1. Stay calm and vigilant: Resist panic selling – cash out on bear market rallies.
2. Prepare for short-term rallies: Use these to strategically unload stocks most vulnerable to recession and tariff disruptions.
3. Prioritize protection: Capital preservation is our primary objective.

Remember the lessons of 2022: Bear markets aren’t for heroes—they’re for prudent investors who live to invest another day. Cash positions, defensive holdings, and selective buys during extreme sentiment lows are our best tools.

And about that sentiment—it rarely gets worse than this. CNN’s Fear and Greed Index hit 4 out of 100:

I’ve never seen it this low. (If you have a lower screenshot, please send along!)

Forward returns for the S&P 500 from these washed-out FGI levels are excellent. See below. Over nearly every time window, profits followed:

Forward Returns When FGI Reads Extreme Fear

It is nearly impossible to see now, but we will get a catalyst that will spark a market pop. The trick will be figuring out what to do with it. In 2020, we bought a “reaction rally” with the intent to sell but we never had to. In 2022, we were fortunate enough to unload positions ahead of time and then again on the first bear bounce higher.

I wish I had the 2025 script in front of me. I don’t and, of course, nobody does. I will warn you now that we will sell positions, and it won’t feel good because there will be a temptation to “wait” for a position to recover. As contrarians it is painful to sell when the FGI is 4. We feel compelled to “hold on” to everything for a turn.

In bear markets, however, we sell without hesitation to protect our capital. We can buy the position back later—often at a lower price. It is how we protect our principal and, in doing so, our future income streams. Because if we don’t look out for ourselves, who will?

£££££££££££££

Contraian Investor published before Trump retreated.

The first projection for the Snowball at the six month stage is £4,749.00, do not double to arrive at the year end figure.

The fcast is £9,120.00

The comparison share is VWRP £118,573.00, when using the 4% rule would give you a ‘pension’ of £4,742.92 pa.

If you approximate using the above figures, for ten years at a compound growth of 7% the amounts would be

The Snowball £18,240.00 a yield of 18% on seed capital.

VRWP £9,484.00

The figure for VWRP could be higher or even lower, depending on markets.

Are you an investor or a gambler ?

Looking for dividend stocks? Here’s a discounted investment trust to consider !

Story by Royston Wild

The Motley Fool

Here is one of my favourites, and especially at the moment as economic uncertainty grows.

Trust the process

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are designed in a way that can make them ideal candidates for passive income. In exchange for tax reductions, these investment vehicles must pay at least 90% of yearly rental profits out in dividends.

This doesn’t guarantee that shareholders will enjoy a large and/or growing second income, as cash rewards are still tied to earnings. But it does mean the business has less flexibility to decide to limit, reduce, or eliminate dividends than other shares.

As a provider of residential property — and more specifically for adults with care and support needs — rental income and occupancy rates tend to be more stable than those of trusts operating in more cyclical sectors.

In addition, the rents it receives are effectively funded by local authorities, who pay housing benefit to approved providers who lease its properties. Changes to government funding could impact this favourable funding model. But I’m optimistic that this is unlikely given the huge savings that trusts like this provide the taxpayer.

According to Social Housing REIT,

Residents living in specialised Supported Housing cost the government about £200 less per week than being in a residential care home and nearly £2,000 less per week than remaining in in-patient care.

As a consequence, the trust estimates that its own portfolio saves the government around £71.6m each year.

8.9% dividend yield

I don’t think these qualities are reflected in the cheapness of Social Housing REIT’s shares.

At 61.9p per share, the trust also trades at an 45.8% discount to its estimated NAV per share of 114.1p.

The investment trust also offers excellent value from a passive income perspective. Its forward dividend yield of 8.9% is one of the highest across the REIT asset class. To put that into context, the FTSE 100 average sits way back at 3.9%.

Social Housing REIT’s share price has been negatively impacted by higher interest rates in more recent years. This has depressed the value of its assets and driven up borrowing costs.

While it remains sensitive to future rate movements, I believe that — on balance — this investment trust is an attractive dividend payer to consider today.

The post Looking for dividend stocks? Here’s a discounted investment trust to consider! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Assura leaves the watchlist after agreeing to a takeover bid.

Dividend History

Ex-Dividend	Amount	Pay Date
Apr 24, 2025	£0.800	May 2, 2025
Mar 20, 2025	£0.06243	Mar 28, 2025
Feb 13, 2025	£0.06325	Feb 21, 2025
Jan 16, 2025	£0.06537	Jan 24, 2025
Dec 19, 2024	£0.06144	Dec 27, 2024
Nov 21, 2024	£0.06132	Nov 29, 2024

SDIP have declared a dividend for April but I believe the decimal point is in the wrong place and the dividend should be £0.0800

Can you help me understand how to turn any puzzle into plain understanding?

Deciphering a puzzle—whether it’s a tricky riddle, a scientific conundrum, or just life’s mysteries—can feel like untangling a web. Here’s a strategy to simplify any challenge and turn it into clarity:

1. Break it Down

• Step Back: Zoom out and look at the big picture. What’s the end goal?
• Divide and Conquer: Split it into smaller, digestible pieces. Solve bit by bit.

2. Reframe the Problem

• Ask “Why?” Understanding the why behind the puzzle can unlock unexpected solutions.
• Change Perspective: Imagine explaining it to a child or someone unfamiliar—this often simplifies the complex.

3. Gather Tools & Resources

• Get Input: Use research, ask for help, or look for patterns you’ve seen before.
• Build Understanding: Strengthen your knowledge of the puzzle’s key areas.

4. Apply & Reflect

• Experiment: Test out potential solutions; trial and error is a great teacher.
• Reflect: Look back at what worked and refine your approach.

In a sense, puzzles teach us to become flexible thinkers. It’s about embracing curiosity and learning along the way.

Co Pilot

How to Collect Safe 10%+ Dividends – No Matter What the Market Does

What 2022 Says About This Crash (Including When to Buy These 8%+ Dividends)

by Michael Foster, Investment Strategist

The pullback we’ve seen in the last week calls to mind the last big selloff we saw – in 2022.

That’s what I want to draw your attention  today (but only for a moment !), the 2022 experience still has a lot to tell us about how markets really view the possibility of a recession. Along with that, a quick look back can also help us develop our strategy for investing in 8%+ yielding closed-end funds (CEFs) from here.

Back then, the fear was that a combination of inflation and recession would cause stocks to plunge. And plunge they did. In fact, the market gave up on everything.

Stocks, Bonds? They All Suffered the Same Fate in ’22

All in all, the S&P 500 – shown above by the performance of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), in blue – surrendered nearly 20% of its value on a total-return basis. But notice, too, the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK), the junk-bond index fund that tracks bonds issued by riskier companies . It too took a hit as worries of a recession literally hit 100%.

High-Yield Credit Treads Water While Stocks Sink

Not only are the declines worse at this point in 2025 than in 2022 for stocks, but the high-yield corporate debt is down just slightly down. That isn’t just strange, it’s historically unprecedented.

Long-time readers know why this is happening, since we’ve been discussing this for a long time in my CEF Insider service. There, I’ve been recommending high-yield bond CEFs because they’re better positioned than stocks to handle this macro volatility in the long haul. Yields are currently very high, corporate defaults are very low, and therefore, so-called “junk” bonds are a great place to get a big income stream now.

But this also tells us something important: The markets don’t really believe a recession is coming – at least, not yet.

In a recession, companies pull back on spending and struggle to pay their bills, causing ETFs like JNK to drop. So it made sense for investors to sell off that fund in 2022.

Before we go further, I should touch on a topic I have avoided so far: interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has made it clear that he will not cut interest rates faster this year, despite the market’s tariff-driven selloff. As of this writing, investors are taking him at his word, believing we’ll have three or four rate cuts by the end of the year:

So, if stocks won’t get a break from faster interest-rate cuts, and the bond market isn’t pricing in massive rate cuts, the market expectation is that we will see higher inflation from the tariffs and lower growth from their economic drag. You can disagree with this view, but it’s the reason why stocks have been falling.

Will this view continue to dominate Wall Street ? That will depend on what ultimately happens around the tariffs. If they are lowered further, investors will likely change their attitude and push stocks higher.

But until then, expect volatility to stay high and expect bonds to remain a refuge (although, as we’ve seen in the last few days, even that has started to wane a bit, as well).

Fortunately, this situation will not last forever. Stocks will ultimately recover their losses from this last week.

That makes now a good time to start to look at buying into heavily discounted CEFs, which have seen their dividend yields jump in this selloff. But I recommend adding to positions slowly, as more volatility could cause CEFs to dip in the short term before they fully recover in the long run.

How to Collect Safe 10%+ Dividends – No Matter What the Market Does

Even with this week’s bounce, the tariffs aren’t going away, and markets are likely to remain volatile. But here’s the truth: You can take steps to ease your mind, even in the midst of a mess like this one.

The key ? High – and monthly – dividends that roll in no matter what. With your income stream locked down, you can worry a lot less about daily share-price gyrations.

I’ve hand-picked a select group of high-yield closed-end funds (CEFs) that deliver just that: a 10% average dividend and steady monthly income – even when stocks are falling.

I’m talking about safe, recession-resistant payouts of 10%+ from professionally managed funds trading at big discounts right now. These overlooked income plays don’t just deliver peace of mind – they offer powerful upside when the market bounces back.

Contrarian Outlook

Activity Breakdown

• Top 10 Holdings

Name	Holdings
British American Tobacco PLC	5.6%
GSK PLC	5.5%
Shell PLC	4.2%
Lloyds Banking Group PLC	4.2%
BP PLC	3.8%
DCC PLC	3.6%
WPP PLC	3.4%
Rio Tinto PLC Registered Shares	3.4%
Tate & Lyle PLC	3.3%
Inchcape PLC	3.2%

The recent addition to the Snowball was bought for the near dividend and to try and emulate the above chart, whilst history doesn’t always repeat it often rhymes. It’s possible the share price could fall from here before finding a floor.

MRCH offers a lower yield but a secure dividend to balance the higher risk yields in NESF, SEIT and FGEN a blended yield of 7%. Unless the price of MRCH falls out of bed, future dividends will be used to buy more shares in the higher yielders.