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Business Insider
12 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Seeking Up to 11% Dividend Yield? Analysts Pick 2 Dividend Stocks to Buy
The stock markets hit a low in April, and have since shown a tremendous rebound – but can it last? That's the question investors are wrestling with now, and it seems they are getting some pointers from Barry Bannister, chief equity strategist at Stifel. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Bannister believes that the stock rebound – fueled by the AI boom, and the rush of capital spending as companies moved to get ahead of tariffs during the first half of the year – is simply not sustainable, noting that the S&P 500 is trading at a historically high valuation. 'Valuation doesn't matter until it does,' Bannister says, and adds that he can see the S&P 500 index falling as low as 5,500, for a drop of nearly 15%. Despite this downbeat outlook, Bannister is not recommending that investors get out of the market. He's recommending, instead, that investors make defensive moves to seek protection from a turndown. That outlook will naturally push investors' attention toward high-yield dividend stocks. These represent the classic defensive play, and for good reason. Dividends offer investors a steady income stream, and high-yield dividends guarantee a sound return well above the rate of inflation. Against this backdrop, we've opened up the TipRanks database to take a look at two dividend stocks that the analysts are picking out as Buys. These are dividend stocks offering yields as high as 11%, a solid return by any standard. Let's give them a closer look. Ellington Financial (EFC) The first stock we'll look at here, Ellington Financial, is a REIT, a real estate investment trust. These companies operate through strategic investments, mainly in real properties, mortgages, and mortgage-related assets, in both the residential and commercial spheres. Ellington's particular strategy involves building a diverse investment portfolio, made up of both residential and commercial mortgage loans, along with residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, as well as other assets, including consumer loans, collateralized loan obligations, and various mortgage-related and non-mortgage-related securities and derivatives. Ellington's main goal in building this portfolio is to generate returns for its stockholders – in the company's words, 'attractive risk-adjusted total returns.' Ellington's strategy is opportunistic, targeting remunerative investments, but the company takes a defensive posture as well, investing across a wide range of sectors to capitalize on disparate strengths in its portfolio and making risk management a key part of its activities. As of June 30 this year, Ellington Financial had a total of $16.1 billion in assets under management. This portfolio is managed by an experienced team – the company's portfolio managers average 30 years of industry experience. These features of Ellington's business, its focus on shareholder returns and the long experience of its management team, have helped the company to cement a reputation as a high-quality dividend payer. The company's dividend features a high yield, as well as a monthly payment schedule. The last declaration, made on August 7 for a September 30 payment, was for 13 cents per common share. That dividend annualizes to $1.56 per share and gives a powerful forward yield of 11.5%. In its 2Q25 financial report, Ellington listed its quarterly adjusted distributable earnings as $45 million, or 47 cents per share. This was more than enough to fully cover the dividend, which currently comes to 39 cents per quarter. Covering this stock for Piper Sandler, following the Q2 print, analyst Crispin Love laid out a clear case for investors to go long on EFC: 'Ellington posted a beat this quarter with strength in both its credit and Longbridge strategies. In April around the market volatility, Ellington saw opportunities to deploy capital in its core credit strategies and also saw attractive opportunities in securities. Following the volatility, EFC was able to complete six securitizations in the quarter, which is a record for the company. The company also experienced success from its loan originator platforms, and we would not be surprised to see more partnerships and equity stakes over the intermediate term. Specifically, if there is GSE reform it could limit Fannie and Freddie's footprint and provide opportunities for Ellington to grow further in the non-QM space which is an area of expertise. Management was positive on the forward earnings trajectory and continued coverage of the $0.39 dividend.' These comments back up Love's Overweight (i.e., Buy) rating, and his $14.50 price target implies a gain of 5.5% in the next 12 months. But with the dividend yield included the upside can reach 17%. (To watch Love's track record, click here) There are 7 recent analyst reviews on record for Ellington, and the 5-to-2 split, favoring Buys over Holds, supports a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The Street's average target of $14.25 is the same as Love's. (See EFC stock forecast) LPG) Our world runs on energy, and the next company on our list here, Dorian LPG, is a leading carrier of that energy. Dorian is an owner/operator of very large gas carriers, VLGC vessels, which are the largest ocean-going carriers of liquefied petroleum gas, an important fuel in the world economy. The core of Dorian's business is its fleet of ships. The company maintains a modern fleet of VLGCs, with the oldest ship dating back to 2007. Most of the company's vessels were launched much more recently, in 2015, and the newest vessels in the fleet were launched in 2023. The vessels have an average age of 8 years, and their aggregate carrying capacity is some 2.1 million cubic meters of LPG. Dorian owns 21 of its ships, and operates the others on charter agreements. Most of the ships in Dorian's fleet are flagged in the Bahamas, although several are flagged in Liberia, Madeira, or Panama. The company is headquartered in Connecticut and has offices in Copenhagen and Athens. The international office footprint, and varying flags, are also common on the world's oceangoing cargo carriers. Dorian finished its last quarter, fiscal 1Q26 (June quarter), with just over $278 million in cash and liquid assets. The company pays an irregular dividend, meaning it has no obligation to pay out, or to maintain dividend payments at any level; while this poses risks for investors, it also allows the company to adjust the dividend to keep them affordable. That said, Dorian has been paying out dividends since 2021, and has not missed a quarterly payment in that time. The most recent dividend, declared on August 1 for payment on the 27th, set the rate at 60 cents per share. This dividend annualizes to $2.40 per common share, and gives a forward yield of 8%. On the financial side, Dorian generated $84.2 million in total revenues during its fiscal first quarter, a total that was down 26% year-over-year and fell shy of analyst expectations by $2.3 million. Additionally, adj. EPS of $0.27 missed the Street's forecast by $0.34. Despite the weak report, Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta remains bullish on the stock, writing: 'Dorian reported softer than expected fiscal 1Q26 results mainly due to higher G&A and higher drydocking costs, and also slightly lower than expected revenues… We view this earnings miss as a one-off… VLGC spot rates have strengthened materially and are at 2025 highs, setting up a very strong upcoming result next quarter and potentially a higher dividend… The company remains dedicated to returning capital to shareholders, and its shares trade at a discount to our NAV valuation of $33.80/sh… Dorian is our top pick in the LPG space, and we remain constructive on the name.' The 5-star analyst rates LPG shares as a Buy, and gives them a price target of $35, pointing toward a one-year gain of 16.5%. (To watch Nokta's track record, click here) There are only 2 recent analyst reviews on file for Dorian, but both are positive, giving the stock its Moderate Buy consensus rating. The shares are priced at $30.06, and the $33 average price target implies a 10% upside potential on the one-year horizon. (See LPG stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jack Dorsey Advocates for Bitcoin Use as Everyday Currency 'As It Was Designed to Be'
Block CEO Jack Dorsey has once again emphasized his stance on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), advocating for its use as everyday money, a vision originally proposed by Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. What Happened: Dorsey stressed that Bitcoin's ultimate purpose should be for daily transactions, not merely speculative trading. 'We want Bitcoin to become p2p electronic cash and everyday money, as it was designed to be,' Dorsey stated in a post on comments were in response to a post by Entropy Capital regarding how Block has developed a comprehensive Bitcoin ecosystem. This system comprises Square, a platform that allows merchants to accept Bitcoin payments, and Cash App, a wallet designed for quick and inexpensive transactions. Other elements include Bitkey, a self-custody hardware wallet for offline Bitcoin storage, and Proto, a Bitcoin mining infrastructure. Also Read: Jack Dorsey Says Bluesky's Rapid Expansion Fueled by X Exodus: 'Not a Great Way To Build a Product' Dorsey's message is unequivocal: Bitcoin is destined to become a part of everyday transactions, and Block is strategically positioning itself to facilitate this transition. Simultaneously, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that the U.S. is dedicated to exploring ways to accumulate more Bitcoin. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $118,473.47, a slight dip from its intraday peak of $119,399.29. Why It Matters: Dorsey's renewed emphasis on Bitcoin's intended use as everyday money underscores the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in the mainstream financial landscape. With Block's comprehensive Bitcoin ecosystem, the company is well-positioned to lead the charge in this transition, potentially influencing other companies to follow suit. Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury's interest in accumulating Bitcoin signals a shift in governmental attitudes towards cryptocurrencies, potentially paving the way for more widespread adoption and regulatory clarity. Read Next Here Is How Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Plans To Expand Bitcoin Trading Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Jack Dorsey Advocates for Bitcoin Use as Everyday Currency 'As It Was Designed to Be' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas breaks jobs record, again outpaces national growth rate in July
(The Center Square) – Texas broke jobs records again in July and again outpaced the national growth rate, according to new data released by the Texas Workforce Commission. Texas again set new records in July for having the greatest total nonfarm jobs and greatest number of Texans working in state history. Texas' nonfarm jobs totaled 14,333,800 in July after adding 8,700 positions over the month. Over the year, Texas added 232,500 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.6%, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6%. Texas also reached a new high for the number of Texans working, including the self-employed, of 15,213,700 in July. 'Texas continues to see sustained job growth thanks to having the best business climate in America and the productivity of hardworking Texans,' Gov. Greg Abbott said. 'With more Texans working than ever before, we must ensure Texans across our great state have access to the tools and training needed to secure better jobs and bigger paychecks.' This year the legislature passed bills expanding career training programs, which Abbott signed into law. Last week, more than $1.6 million was awarded in Jobs and Education for Texans grants to support career and technical education training programs in South Texas. Last month, Texas' civilian labor force totaled 15,848,800, representing a decrease of 1,400 people over the month. Over the year, 195,900 people were added. There was a slight dip in the labor force last month, including in the oil and natural gas industry. Despite this, 'Texas continues to create jobs, a testament to the resilience of our workforce,' TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III said. 'TWC is working hard to ensure all Texans have access to the tools and training they need to seize these new opportunities, build skills, and find meaningful work in thriving communities across our state.' The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry reported the largest over-the-month increase in July after adding 5,500 jobs. Professional and Business Services added 3,800 jobs; Construction added 2,800. The Construction industry also grew by 3.2% over the year, outperforming the industry's growth rate nationally by 2%. 'Texas continues to foster job growth across a wide range of industries,' TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza said. 'TWC works every day to ensure that the workforce powering our economy is trained, supported, and ready to grow alongside the businesses that call Texas home.' Last month, the not seasonally adjusted employment rate increased nationally and in Texas. Texas' 4.2% rate was lower than the national rate of 4.6%. The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area reported the lowest not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.1% in July, followed by Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs' 3.2% each. The MSAs with the highest rate were Eagle Pass' 9.4%, Brownsville-Harlingen's 7.3% and McAllen-Edinburgh-Mission's 6.7%, according to the data. Texans impacted by the July floods in designated disaster areas are encouraged to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance online or by calling the TWC at 800-939-6631. The application deadline is Sept. 4. Solve the daily Crossword
