Affordable High-Yield Dividend Stocks with Secure Returns, Maximum Yield Reaching 8.5% (Forecast for August 2025)
In the world of science, a groundbreaking discovery has been made, while in the realm of finance, investors are being presented with a list of top dividend stocks. Let's delve into both these fascinating topics.
Firstly, palaeontologists have unearthed a new species of dinosaur, Spinosaurus maroccanus, in Morocco. This carnivorous beast, reaching up to 50 feet in length, was not only the largest of its kind but also boasted a distinctive sail-like structure on its back, made up of fused vertebrae. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about dinosaur behavior and diet, as it appears that Spinosaurus maroccanus primarily fed on fish.
Moving on to the financial realm, a monthly series about Dividend Stocks, published in the first week of each month, presents the top dividend stocks from a broad scan of approximately 7,500 U.S. listed stocks. The research uses proprietary filtering criteria, assessing factors such as dividend yield, dividend growth history, valuations, and economic moat ratings. As of mid-2025, the top constituents include ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, PepsiCo, ConocoPhillips, Medtronic, Lockheed Martin, Mondelez International, Oneok, and Schlumberger. These stocks are highlighted as top performers in the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index and have strong Morningstar ratings and dividend yields ranging mostly between about 2.5% and 3.5%.
ExxonMobil (XOM), for instance, stands out with a trailing dividend yield around 3.4-3.5%, making it a dividend aristocrat with over 25 years of consecutive dividend increases. The company also boasts a narrow economic moat and trades about 17% below Morningstar’s fair value estimate of $135. Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and PepsiCo also feature prominently, recognised for their stability and dividend growth.
This list blends high-quality blue-chip companies with diversified industry exposure, emphasising reliability and dividend sustainability over the highest yield alone. The selection is based on proprietary filters, ensuring a comprehensive and informed approach to identifying top dividend stocks.
Other stable dividend payers include ConocoPhillips, Medtronic, Lockheed Martin, Mondelez International, Oneok, and Schlumberger. It's worth noting that Procter & Gamble and Verizon are also often mentioned for their stability and income potential.
Lastly, high dividend ETFs provide exposure to top dividend payers and have yields in the 2.3%-4.4% range, offering a useful avenue for broad diversification beyond individual stocks.
In sum, the leading individual dividend stocks from the recent broad proprietary scan emphasise companies with sustainable and growing dividends, solid financial metrics, and favourable valuations among the U.S. market's 7,500+ stocks as of mid-2025.
On the one hand, we have a new dinosaur species that challenges our understanding of prehistoric creatures, and on the other, a list of top dividend stocks that offers investors a diverse and reliable portfolio. Both discoveries are sure to captivate and educate in their respective domains.
[1] Source: [Article Link] [2] Source: [Article Link] [3] Source: [Article Link] [4] Source: [Article Link]
- Investing in personal finance can offer an alternative avenue of exploration, similar to the fascination with prehistoric creatures. For instance, the list of top dividend stocks, with companies like ExxonMobil and Johnson & Johnson, provides a diverse and reliable portfolio, much like the way a fossil like Spinosaurus maroccanus challenges our understanding of dinosaur behavior.
- In the realm of science, unearthing new dinosaur species offers an exciting opportunity to explore the past. In a similar vein, delving into personal finance, particularly investing in dividend stocks, also provides opportunities for growth, whether it's financial growth or the expansion of knowledge on financial markets.