With inflation at 30-year highs, these income stocks yielding up to 10.2% can help you win the battle against soaring prices
Inflation is on a white-hot tear.
U.S. consumer prices surged 6.2% in October from a year ago, marking the biggest jump in 30 years.
Whether central bankers believe inflation is short-lived, prices are on the rise right now. Just take a look at how much you spent at the pump or grocery store last time and compare it with the figures from a year ago.
To preserve purchasing power, investors usually turn to assets like gold and silver during inflationary times. But dividend stocks are another option.
If a company can provide a rising stream of dividends over time while appreciating in value, that can give you a hedge against inflation.
Of course, due to an extended bull market, most stocks don’t pay much these days. The average S&P 500 company yields just 1.26% at the moment.
But there are companies with much more generous payouts. Here’s a look at three dividend stocks with above-average yields reaching as high as 10.2% — a stock like these might be worth pouncing on with some of your spare change.
Bank of America (BAC)
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Let’s start with a bank stock. Why? While many sectors fear rising interest rates, banks look forward to them.
Central banks hike interest rates to tame inflation.
Banks lend money at higher rates than they borrow, pocketing the difference. When interest rates increase, the spread for how much a bank earns widens.
And it just so happens that quite a few banks, such as Bank of America, have upped their payouts to shareholders this year.
In July, Bank of America boosted its quarterly dividend 17% to 21 cents per share. That gives the company an annual yield of 1.8% at the current share price.
According to the latest earnings report, the bank earned a profit of $7.7 billion in Q3, up 58% from a year ago.
Plus, Bank of America shares climbed 69% over the past year. Its peers, such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley — all of which have raised their dividends this year — have also enjoyed substantial rallies during this period.
But you don’t have to go all-in at once. These days, you can build a diverse portfolio of by using some of your digital nickels and dimes.
Southern Co. (SO)
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Moving up the yield ladder is Southern, a gas and electric utility holding company headquartered in Atlanta. It serves close to 9 million customers.
The utility sector is known for being a defensive play — and not just against inflation. Come what may, people still need to heat their homes in the winter and turn the lights on at night.
The recession-proof nature of the business means Southern can pay reliable dividends.
In April, the company boosted its quarterly payout by 2 cents per share to 66 cents per share, marking the 20th consecutive year that Southern has increased its dividend.
Look further back, and you’ll see that the company has paid steady or increasing dividends since 1948.
In the first nine months of 2021, Southern earned an adjusted profit of $3.05 per share, up 9.7% year-over-year. Management expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to be above the top end of their previous guidance range of $3.25 to $3.35.
Trading at $62 apiece, Southern stock offers a generous annual yield of 4.3%.
Global Partners (GLP)
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If you really want oversized yields, you may have to look at the lesser-known stocks — like Global Partners.
Structured as a master limited partnership, Global Partners is one of the largest independent owners, suppliers and operators of gas stations and convenience stores in the Northeast.
At the same time, it is a leading wholesale distributor of fuel products and is involved in transporting petroleum products and renewable fuels by rail from the mid-continental U.S. and Canada.
The business pays quarterly distributions of 57.5 cents per unit, which comes out to a staggering annual yield of 10.2%.
In the trailing 12 months as of Sept. 30, Global Partners’ distributable cash flow covered its payout 1.1 times after factoring in distributions to its preferred unitholders.
To be sure, dividends from ultra-high yielding energy stocks usually aren’t carved in stone. If you are on the fence about jumping into the sector, some apps might give you a free share of an energy stock just for signing up.
Dividend yield vs. crop yield?
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A carefully selected dividend stock portfolio can outrun inflation. But to hedge against rising prices, you don’t need to limit yourself to the stock market.
If you want an asset that has little correlation with the ups and downs of stocks, here is one to consider: U.S. farmland.
Even if we enter a period of hyperinflation, people will still need to eat.
And over the years, agriculture has been shown to offer higher risk-adjusted returns than both stocks and real estate.
New platforms allow you to invest in U.S. farmland by taking a stake in a farm of your choice.
You’ll earn cash income from the leasing fees and crop sales. And of course, you’ll benefit from any long-term appreciation on top of that.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
