Key Points
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Bristol Myers Squibb offers a 4% forward yield and a low payout ratio.
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Enterprise Products Partners’ distribution yields more than 6.1%, and the pipeline company has increased its distribution for 28 consecutive years.
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Verizon pays a dividend that yields around 6.3% and is bolstered by strong free cash flow growth.
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High dividend yields aren’t as high as they used to be. At least, that’s the case when you use my definition of high yield: a yield that’s at least twice the yield of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC). With the S&P 500’s yield hovering around 1%, near its lowest level since 2000, it’s much easier for a stock to have a high yield by my definition.
The good news is that investors have plenty of attractive high-yield dividend stocks to choose from. Here are three high-yield stocks to buy with $1,000 right now.
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1. Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) offers a forward dividend yield of 4%. The big drugmaker has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years. It has paid a dividend for 94 straight years.
I fully expect that streak to continue. Bristol Myers Squibb’s dividend payout ratio is 55.3%, a level that should enable the company to easily grow its dividend.
Sure, Bristol Myers Squibb faces a patent cliff. Its blood thinner, Eliquis, and cancer immunotherapy, Opdivo, lose U.S. patent exclusivity in 2028. However, the company’s growth portfolio should help Bristol shake off much of the negative impact.
2. Enterprise Products Partners
Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) is what I would call an ultra-high-yield dividend stock. My definition for ultra-high yield, by the way, is a yield that’s at least four times greater than the S&P 500’s yield. Enterprise’s forward distribution yield currently tops 6.1%.
This pipeline stock has a track record of dividend hikes that’s even better than Bristol Myers Squibb’s. Enterprise Products Partners has increased its distribution for an impressive 28 consecutive years.
As icing on the cake, Enterprise boasts the strongest balance sheet in the midstream energy industry. It’s also well-positioned for growth, with data centers driving demand for the natural gas that flows through the company’s pipelines.
3. Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) belongs in the ultra-high-yield club, too. This telecommunications giant pays a forward dividend yield of around 6.3%. Verizon has increased its dividend for 20 consecutive years.
I rate Verizon’s dividend as highly safe. The company’s payout ratio is a comfortable 72.8%. In the second quarter of 2026, Verizon’s free cash flow grew by 24% year over year, a trend that income investors will love.
Yes, rising interest rates could hurt Verizon to some extent. However, roughly 76% of the company’s total debt is fixed-rate and therefore insensitive to short-term rate fluctuations. Verizon also faces the prospects of increased competition from SpaceX’s (NASDAQ: SPCX) Starlink business. But I still expect the telecom stock to perform well over the long term and keep the dividends flowing and growing.
Should you buy stock in Bristol Myers Squibb right now?
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Keith Speights has positions in Bristol Myers Squibb, Enterprise Products Partners, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bristol Myers Squibb. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
