You know what really grinds my gears? The fact that the average dividend yield in the S&P 500 is hovering around 1.2%. It’s like going to a deli and being told you can only have one slice of pastrami on your sandwich. Sure, it’s technically food, but is it really lunch? And don’t even get me started on how hard it is for income-focused investors to find decent yields these days. It’s like everyone decided to stop tipping-just rude.
But hey, I’m a growth investor, so naturally, I’ve been poking around for opportunities. Turns out, there are still some companies out there offering dividends north of 4%. Four percent! That’s practically a feast compared to what the rest of the market is serving up. Let’s dive into four stocks that caught my eye-and trust me, if I notice something, it’s because I’ve spent way too much time obsessing over it.
Brookfield Infrastructure
So here’s the deal with Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC) (BIP). They’re this big global infrastructure company with a dividend yield of 4.3%. Not bad, right? But what really gets under my skin-or rather, what impresses me-is how they generate cash flow. Utilities, energy pipelines, transportation networks, data centers-it’s all regulated or locked into long-term contracts. Like, imagine having a roommate who always pays their share of the rent on time. Unheard of, right?
Here’s where it gets weirdly satisfying: Brookfield only pays out 60% to 70% of its cash flow as dividends, keeping the rest to reinvest in new projects. Right now, they’ve got billions tied up in things like semiconductor fabs and data center developments. And guess what? Their funds from operations (FFO) per share are expected to grow by more than 10% annually. Which means they plan to hike their dividend by 5% to 9% every year. Oh, and did I mention they’ve raised their dividend for 16 straight years? Sixteen years! Do you know how many times I’ve had to remind people to RSVP to dinner parties in that timeframe?
Chevron
Okay, let’s talk about Chevron (CVX), shall we? This oil giant is sitting pretty with a 4.2% dividend yield. Now, normally, I’d roll my eyes at anything related to fossil fuels, but Chevron has managed to keep its balance sheet cleaner than most people keep their kitchens. Seriously, their breakeven point is $30 per barrel. Thirty bucks! That’s less than what I spend on artisanal coffee beans in a month.
And then there’s the dividend itself. Chevron hasn’t cut it once during some truly chaotic times for oil prices. In fact, they’ve increased it for 38 consecutive years. Thirty-eight years! Meanwhile, other oil companies were slashing payouts faster than you can say “fracking.” Plus, with recent acquisitions and completed projects, Chevron expects free cash flow to jump by $12.5 billion in 2026. So yeah, they’ll probably keep raising that dividend without breaking a sweat. Unlike me when someone takes the last piece of cake at a party.
Kinder Morgan
Kinder Morgan (KMI) operates gas pipelines, which sounds boring until you realize they have a 4.4% dividend yield. Boring? Maybe. Reliable? Absolutely. Sixty-nine percent of their earnings are locked in through take-or-pay agreements, and another 26% come from steady fee-based deals. It’s almost suspicious how predictable their cash flows are. Like, does anyone actually read those contracts, or do they just sign them and move on?
They’re also smart about payouts, distributing less than 45% of their cash flow while socking away the rest for future growth. Right now, they’ve got $9.3 billion worth of projects lined up, mostly new pipelines. And unlike some companies that burn through cash like it’s confetti, Kinder Morgan maintains a fortress-like balance sheet. They’ve raised their dividend for eight straight years, and honestly, if I had to pick one stock to annoy me with consistent performance, it might as well be this one.
Mid-America Apartment Communities
Finally, we’ve got Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), an apartment REIT with a 4.2% dividend yield. These guys haven’t cut their dividend in over 30 years, and they’ve raised it for 15 straight years. Fifteen years! That’s longer than most marriages last. And their payout growth averages 7% annually, which beats the pants off most other REITs.
What’s their secret? Well, they focus on apartments in Sun Belt markets, where jobs and people seem to multiply like rabbits. Sure, there was a glut of new apartments recently, but that’s easing up now, and rents are starting to climb again. Meanwhile, they’ve got $1 billion worth of new apartments in development. So basically, they’re set up to keep growing their dividend while I sit here wondering why no one ever invites me to housewarming parties anymore.
An Investor’s Dilemma
Look, I’ll admit it: part of me wants to nitpick these stocks to death. Why does Brookfield need so many data centers? Is Chevron secretly hoarding office supplies? Does Kinder Morgan ever think about branching out into something flashier, like wind turbines? But deep down, I know these are solid choices for anyone looking for reliable, growing passive income. They’re like the friend who remembers your birthday-not flashy, but dependable.
And honestly, isn’t that what we all want in life? Dependability, predictability, and maybe just a little bit of excitement. Just don’t tell anyone I said that. 😊
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2025-08-26 23:08