passive

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance income-generating investment that you can buy and hold indefinitely, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) is an obvious choice. And you’ve certainly got plenty of options.

Not all dividend ETFs are the same, though. There are better options than others. In fact, if you’re looking for a great all-around dividend-paying exchange-traded fund to buy and hold forever, one stands out above them all.

And it’s probably not the one you think it is.

More to the matter than mere yield

If you’ve done any amount of digging into dividend ETFs as a category, then you likely already know that the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD 0.79%) currently boasts a trailing yield of 3.9%. That’s huge for a fund of this size and ilk (quality blue chip stocks), even topping the 2.5% yield you can get from the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM 0.44%) at this time.

Image source: Getty Images.

There’s more to the matter than merely plugging into a fund when its yield hits a particular number, however. Is the current dividend sustainable? Does it have a history of growing its payouts enough to keep up with inflation? Is the ETF also producing enough capital appreciation? When you start asking these questions, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity fund doesn’t exactly shine. It has underperformed the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.53%) as well as most of the other major dividend funds since 2023, for instance, mostly because the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index that it mirrors doesn’t hold many — if any — of the tech stocks that have been lifted by the artificial intelligence megatrend.

That’s not inherently a bad thing, mind you. There may well come a time when these technology stocks struggle more than most while demand reignites for the components of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100. Nevertheless, even factoring in its above-average dividend, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF’s lingering subpar overall performance has made it tough to own for a while now. There’s also no obvious reason to think that relative weakness will soon end.

The best all-around choice

So which fund is the ideal all-around buy-and-hold “forever” dividend ETF? For many income-minded investors, it’s going to be the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO 0.53%).

It’s not a particularly popular fund. It has less than $35 billion in its asset pool, for perspective, versus more than $100 billion for the massive Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG 0.27%). Schwab’s U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is more sizable as well, with about $70 billion under management. You can also find yields better than DGRO’s current trailing yield of just under 2.2%.

Don’t let its smallish size and average yield fool you, though. The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF packs enough punch where it counts the most. And it’s capable of packing this punch indefinitely.

This fund tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Like all of Morningstar‘s dividend growth indexes, this one only includes companies that have a track record of at least five straight years of annual payout hikes. It also excludes the highest-yielding 10% of stocks based on the premise that an unusually high yield can be a warning that trouble’s brewing for a business. In this vein, the index also excludes stocks of companies that pay out more than 75% of their earnings in the form of dividends.

Where the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index really differentiates itself, however, is in the size of each position it holds. Although no holding is allowed to make up more than 3% of its total portfolio, its positions are weighted in proportion to the value of the stocks’ dividend payments. End result? This ETF’s biggest positions right now are Johnson & Johnson, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and ExxonMobil. That’s an incredibly diverse group of stocks, although the fund’s other 392 holdings aren’t any less diverse.

Sure, many of these holdings don’t exactly boast massive dividend yields. Plenty of them do have impressive yields, though, and the ones that don’t are supplying value via price appreciation. It’s the balanced weighting of these different kinds of stocks that makes this ETF such a reliable overall performer.

The irony? Despite holding many low-yielding tickers of companies that don’t exactly prioritize their dividend payments, this fund’s quarterly per-share payment has nearly tripled over the course of the past decade. You’d be hard-pressed to find better from an ETF that also produces this kind of capital appreciation.

No compromise needed

None of this is to suggest that it would be a mistake to own any other income-focused exchange-traded fund. There are perfectly valid reasons for investing in something like the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF at this time, for instance, such as an immediate need for an above-average yield. It’s also not wrong to own more than one kind of dividend ETF, diversifying your investment income streams.

If you just want a super-simple dividend income option that you can buy and hold forever, though, the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF is a fantastic but often overlooked choice. Unlike too many other investment options, with DGRO, you don’t have to sacrifice too much growth in exchange for reliable dividend income, or vice versa. It’s a balance of (nearly) the best of both worlds.

The only thing you can’t really get from the iShares Core Dividend Growth fund is a hefty starting dividend yield, but most long-term investors will consider that a fair trade-off.

Stock prices continue to grow to the sky, and the S&P 500 index has set 28 record highs this year through the end of September.

Moreover, valuations continue to stretch. At 39.7, the Shiller Cyclically Adjusted (CAPE) Ratio is at its second highest level of the past century (higher than the eve of the Great Crash of 1929, though still a bit lower than the eve of the Internet bubble burst in 1999).

What should a prudent investor do in such a frothy market?

Investing in defensive stocks that are less vulnerable to market pullbacks, drawdowns, and corrections is one great idea. And here’s an even better idea: Buying reliable, stable defensive stocks that pay high dividends and reward investors with passive income.

Stability and income

So, what’s the best exchange-traded fund (ETF) to buy right now if you want exposure to defensive stocks that provide stable earnings and dividends? I like the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) because it gives you a stake in a broad swath of high-yielding, stable, large-cap value stocks. Thus, you get safety and reliable passive income, and at a rock-bottom price.

The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF tracks the performance of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which measures the return of a set of stocks characterized by high dividend yields. With total assets of $81.3 billion, the fund currently holds 579 stocks. Its top five holdings are:

• Broadcom, which accounts for 6.7% of the fund
• JPMorgan Chase, 4.1%
• ExxonMobil, 2.4%
• Johnson & Johnson, 2.1%
• Walmart, 2.1%

Such big, safe companies — ones that we would expect to be around for the long haul — are typical of the fund’s holdings. And it avoids risky and distressed firms.

Other than chipmaker Broadcom, no one stock currently accounts for more than 5% of the ETF, which makes it highly diversified. It’s also diversified among sectors. Its biggest holding by sector is financials, with about 22% of its assets in that industry. It also has large positions in consumer discretionary, healthcare, industrials, and technology, among a few other sectors.

The fund’s current yield is a very respectable 2.49%, about 1.3 percentage points above that of the S&P 500. The annual fee is a minuscule 0.06%, which is far lower than the 0.87% average for similar funds. The ETF is up about 10.4% year to date, which is solid given the income it produces.

Not so boring

Investors who think dividends are boring should think again. From 1940 to 2024, dividend income contributed 34% of the total return of the S&P 500, according to Hartford Funds.

Source: Getty Images.

That contribution varies a lot by decade. Dividends contribute a larger share of the total market return when the stock market is rising slowly, and a smaller share when it’s soaring. That makes sense. Companies with higher-yielding stocks tend to be large and slower-growing, just what you want to own in a challenging market environment.

Yes, there are stocks with much higher yields than those in the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF. But that’s by design, too. The fund avoids stocks with deteriorating fundamentals and declining prices, limiting its exposure to risky companies.

Best of all — considering the bubbly nature of the current stock market — this dividend ETF outperforms in difficult markets. It beat similar funds during the COVID-19 sell-off of early 2020 and outperformed other funds in its category by 7 percentage points in 2022, when the S&P 500 fell more than 19%.

The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF provides a steady, safer approach to higher-yielding stocks, and reliable passive income. Such an approach is beginning to look very attractive to many investors.

Real estate investing can be a great way to make some passive income. You have lots of options, including purchasing a rental property, investing in a real estate partnership, or buying a real estate investment trust (REIT). Each one has its benefits and drawbacks.

REITs can be a great choice because they enable you to build a diversified real estate portfolio that produces lots of steady passive income. For example, you could collect nearly $250 of dividend income each month by investing $50,000 into these three top monthly dividend-paying REITs:

Data source: Google Finance and author’s calculations. Note: Dividend yield as of Oct. 1, 2025.

Another great thing about REITs is their accessibility — you don’t have to invest much to get started and can easily buy and sell shares in your brokerage account. So, don’t fret if you don’t have $50,000 to invest in REITs right now. You can start by investing a small amount each month and gradually build your passive income portfolio. Here’s why these REITs are excellent choices for those seeking to build passive income from real estate.

Realty Income

Realty Income has a simple mission: It aims to provide its investors with dependable monthly dividend income that steadily rises. The REIT has certainly delivered on its mission over the years.

The landlord has raised its monthly dividend payment 132 times since its public market listing in 1994. It has delivered 112 consecutive quarterly increases and raised its payment at least once each year for more than three decades, growing it at a 4.2% compound annual rate during that period.

Realty Income backs its high-yielding monthly dividend with a high-quality real estate portfolio. It owns retail, industrial, gaming, and other properties secured by long-term net leases with many of the world’s leading companies. Those leases provide it with very stable rental income, 75% of which it pays out in dividends. Realty Income retains the rest to invest in additional income-producing properties that grow its income and dividend.

Healthpeak Properties

Healthpeak Properties is new to paying monthly dividends, having switched from a quarterly schedule earlier this year. The REIT owns a diversified portfolio of healthcare-related properties, including medical office buildings, laboratories, and senior housing. It leases these properties to healthcare systems, biopharma companies, and physicians’ groups under long-term leases that feature annual escalation clauses.

The healthcare REIT had maintained its dividend payment at a steady rate over the past few years, allowing its growing rental income to steadily reduce its dividend payout ratio, which is now down to 75%. With its financial profile now healthier, Healthpeak has begun increasing its dividend, providing its investors with a 2% raise earlier this year.

Healthpeak should be able to continue growing its dividend in the future. Rental escalation clauses should boost its income by around 3% per year. Meanwhile, the REIT has growing financial flexibility to invest in additional income-producing healthcare properties.

EPR Properties

EPR Properties invests in experiential real estate, including movie theaters, eat-and-play venues, wellness properties, and attractions. It leases these properties back to operating companies, primarily under long-term net leases.

The REIT pays out around 70% of its cash flow in dividends each year, retaining the rest to invest in additional income-producing experiential properties. It currently plans to invest between $200 million and $300 million each year. It acquires properties and invests in experiential build-to-suit development and redevelopment projects. EPR has already committed to investing $109 million into projects it expects to fund over the next 18 months.

This investment range can support a low- to mid-single-digit annual growth rate in its cash flow per share. That should support a similar growth rate in its dividend payment. EPR is on track to grow its cash flow per share by around 4.3% this year and has already increased its monthly dividend payment by 3.5% this year.

Ideal REITs to own for passive income

If you want to start building passive income, consider adding Realty Income, Healthpeak Properties, and EPR Properties to your portfolio. Their growing real estate assets and history of steadily rising monthly dividends make them compelling options for anyone seeking dependable and increasing passive income. Investing in these REITs can help you take the first step toward securing your financial future.

The stock market as a whole is starting to look expensive. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and many other key benchmark indices are within a few percentage points of all-time highs, and all look historically expensive by several valuation metrics, including average P/E ratios, price-to-book multiples, and more.

However, there are still some excellent long-term opportunities to be found, and that’s especially true when it comes to high-yield stocks. With interest rates still at a historically high level, dividend stocks can be a bright spot in the market where it’s still possible to find reasonable valuations for investments to buy and hold for the long haul.

With that in mind, here are two high-paying dividend stocks in particular that could be excellent investments right now if you’re a patient investor looking for great income and total returns.

Image source: Getty Images.

The best overall high-dividend stock in the market?

I’ve called Realty Income (O 0.39%) my favorite overall dividend stock in the market, and as one of the largest positions in my own portfolio, I’ve put my money where my mouth (or keyboard) is.

If you aren’t familiar with it, Realty Income is a real estate investment trust, or REIT (pronounced ‘reet’), and it invests in single-tenant properties. About three-fourths of its tenants are retail in nature, and it also has industrial, agricultural, and gaming properties. Its retail tenants are hand-picked for their recession resistance and/or their lack of vulnerability to e-commerce. Plus, tenants sign long-term leases with gradual rent increases built in, and agree to pay insurance, taxes, and most maintenance costs.

This model allows Realty Income to generate excellent total returns over the long run, and with less overall volatility than the S&P 500. And the proof is in the performance. Although Realty Income has underperformed (as would be expected) during rising-rate environments, since its 1994 IPO it has produced 13.5% annualized total returns for investors, well ahead of the S&P 500, and it has raised its dividend for the past 112 consecutive quarters.

Realty Income has rebounded nicely from its recent lows but still trades for about 25% below its all-time high. It has a 5.4% dividend yield and pays in monthly installments (Fun fact: Realty Income has a trademark on the phrase ‘The Monthly Dividend Company.’). In a nutshell, Realty Income offers a rare combination of a high yield, market-beating total return potential, and safety.

Excellent long-term tailwinds

Another REIT, Prologis (PLD 0.24%) is another high-dividend stock to put on your radar. One of the largest REITs in the world, Prologis is the leading logistics real estate company, owning warehouses, distribution centers, and other properties all around the world. For example, if you’ve ever seen one of those massive Amazon (AMZN -1.09%) distribution centers, that’s an example of the type of property Prologis owns.

The company owns a staggering 1.3 billion square feet of leasable space, and nearly 3% of the world’s entire GDP flows through Prologis’ properties each year.

Recent results have been strong, after a period of weakening demand resulting from overbuilding during the pandemic years. In the most recent quarter, Prologis reported core funds from operations (Core FFO-the real estate equivalent of ‘earnings’) growth of 9% year-over-year, and management reported a strong pipeline of leasing activity and plenty of customers ready to grow.

The long-term tailwinds should be more than enough to give Prologis plenty of opportunities to grow. The global e-commerce market (which fuels much of the demand for logistics properties) is expected to more than double in size by 2030, according to Grand View Research. And the data center industry, which Prologis recently entered, is expected to grow just as fast.

Buy with the long term in mind

Both of these stocks are real estate investment trusts, or REITs, and these are an especially rate-sensitive group. As a result, if the Federal Reserve ends up pumping the brakes on further rate cuts, or if inflation unexpectedly picks up, it’s possible for these two stocks to be rather volatile in the short term.

As companies mature, they often choose to implement a dividend as a way to directly reward shareholders. On the other hand, smaller up-and-coming companies will want to put all the dry powder possible into their ideas to make them succeed.

Coca-Cola (KO -0.52%), Procter & Gamble (PG 0.23%), and Sherwin-Williams (SHW 0.58%) are three industry-leading companies that have been around for over 100 years. Their track records have earned them spots among the 30 components in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.65%).

Dividends have been an integral part of their capital allocation plans for decades. And because all three companies have steadily grown their earnings over time, they have also been able to increase their quarterly dividends.

Investing $15,000 into each stock could help you generate over $1,000 in passive dividend income per year. Here’s why all three dividend stocks are great buys in October.

Image source: Getty Images.

This beverage behemoth is also a passive income powerhouse

Coca-Cola was one of the few stocks that held up when the market was tanking in response to tariff woes and geopolitical uncertainty in April. That same month, it hit an all-time high. But since then, Coke has been steadily falling while the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.59%) has been gaining. And after a hot start to the year, Coke is now underperforming the Dow and the S&P 500.

^SPX data by YCharts

Coke’s fundamentals remain intact. The company is generating solid organic growth and diversifying its beverage lineup by leaning into healthier options. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke are performing well, and Coke is shifting from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in the U.S.

Coke has the beverage lineup, supply chain (through its bottling partnerships), and brand power to adapt to changing consumer preferences. In the meantime, the stock has gotten much cheaper, sporting a 23.6 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio compared to a 10-year median P/E of 27.7.

Coke yields 3.1%, making it a solid source of passive income. And it has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, earning it a coveted spot on the list of Dividend Kings.

P&G is a great value for long-term investors

P&G is in a similar boat to Coke. It has great brands, but consumers are getting hit hard by inflation and cost-of-living pressures.

In June, P&G announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs and exit certain brands and markets as part of a restructuring effort. In July, it announced that its chief operating officer, Shailesh Jejurikar, would take over as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026. These major shakeups, paired with relatively weak results and guidance, may be why P&G is hovering around a 52-week low at the time of this writing.

P&G has essentially three levers it can pull to grow its earnings. It can sell higher volumes of products, it can raise prices, and it can repurchase stock, which increases earnings per share. Volume growth is the most sustainable option because it has fewer limits compared to price increases, which are subject to consumer constraints. And there’s only so much free cash flow P&G generates to buy back its stock (it usually reduces its share count by 1% to 2% per year).

Unfortunately, P&G has been relying heavily on price increases in recent years. And consumers are pushing back, as P&G’s organic growth has drastically slowed.

PG data by YCharts

P&G now sports a P/E ratio of 23.4 and a forward P/E of 21.8 compared to a 10-year median P/E of 25.5. Like Coke, P&G is a Dividend King with a high yield at 2.8%. It’s a great buy for risk-averse investors looking for a reliable source of passive income who don’t mind giving the company time to restructure.

Sherwin-Williams’ recent pullback is a buying opportunity

The paint and coatings giant had been a steady market outperformer to the point where it earned its spot in the Dow last year, replacing commodity chemical giant Dow Inc. But Sherwin-Williams’ stock has underperformed the major indexes this year largely due to high interest rates, which are impacting many of its end markets.

Sherwin-Williams benefits from increases in consumer spending and economic growth. Higher borrowing costs have been a drag on the housing market and home improvement projects, as evidenced by Home Depot‘s lackluster earnings growth over the last couple of years.

Still, Sherwin-Williams has the makings of an excellent dividend stock for long-term investors. It has 46 consecutive years of dividend raises, but its yield is just 0.9% because the stock price has outpaced its dividend growth rate — gaining 352% over the last decade, which is even better than the S&P 500’s 244% increase.

Sherwin-Williams has an excellent business model. It sells its products through its own retail stores, online, and partnerships with retailers like Lowe’s Companies. It also has a sizable coatings business and industrial and commercial paints business. Coatings are used to protect surfaces across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and marine.

Add it all up, and Sherwin-Williams is a great buy in October.

Quality companies at attractive valuations

Coke, P&G, and Sherwin-Williams may not light up a growth investor’s radar screen. But all three companies pay growing, ultra-reliable dividends.

Coke and P&G have discounted valuations compared to their historical averages, whereas Sherwin-Williams is roughly in line with its 10-year median valuation.

Add it all up and these are three picks ideally suited for investors looking to round out their portfolios with non-tech-focused ideas.

Dividend yields have been on a downward trend over the past year due to rising stock prices. The S&P 500‘s dividend yield is down to less than 1.2%, approaching its lowest level on record. Because of that, it’s getting harder to find stocks with attractive payouts.

However, it’s not impossible. Clearway Energy (CWEN 0.67%) (CWEN.A 0.89%), Realty Income (O 0.83%), and Verizon (VZ 0.55%) currently stand out for their high dividend yields. The trio pays sustainable and steadily rising dividends, making them appealing options for those seeking to generate passive income.

Image source: Getty Images.

A powerful dividend stock

Clearway Energy’s dividend currently yields 6.3%. The company owns one of the country’s largest clean power platforms. It sells the electricity generated by its wind, solar, energy storage, and natural gas assets to utilities and large corporations under long-term, fixed-rate power purchase agreements (PPAs). Those contracts supply Clearway with stable and predictable cash flow to support its high-yielding dividend.

The company aims to pay out between 70% and 80% of its steady cash flows in dividends, retaining the remainder to invest in new income-generating renewable energy assets. The company has already secured several new investments, including plans to repower some existing wind farms and agreements to purchase several renewable energy projects currently under development. These secured investments position Clearway to grow its cash flow per share by more than 20% over the next two years. That should support a dividend increase of more than 10% from the current level by the end of 2027.

Clearway has multiple drivers to support its continued growth beyond 2027. It can repower additional wind farms, add battery storage to existing facilities, buy development projects from a related company, and acquire operating assets from third parties. The company believes it has the financial capacity to support 5% to 8%+ annual cash flow per share growth beyond 2027, which could support dividend increases within that target range.

A very consistent dividend stock

Realty Income’s dividend yield is 5.4%. The real estate investment trust (REIT) pays dividends monthly, making it even more attractive to passive income-seeking investors.

The REIT also has a stellar record of increasing its dividend. It has raised its payment 132 times since its public market listing in 1994. Realty Income has increased its dividend for 112 consecutive quarters and more than 30 straight years. It has grown its payout at a 4.2% compound annual rate during that timeframe.

Realty Income backs its high-yielding and steadily rising dividend with a diversified real estate portfolio (retail, industrial, gaming, and other properties). It invests in high-quality properties secured by long-term triple net leases (NNN), which provide it with very durable and stable cash flow. The REIT pays out about 75% of its cash flow in dividends, retaining the rest to reinvest in additional income-generating properties. Realty Income sees a staggering $14 trillion investment opportunity in NNN real estate, giving it a long growth runway.

The streak continues

Verizon leads this group with a 6.4% dividend yield. The telecom giant backs its big-time payout with recurring cash flow as consumers and businesses pay their wireless and internet bills.

The company generates massive cash flows ($38 billion in operating cash flow is expected this year), providing it with the funds to invest in projects that maintain and expand its networks, pay dividends, make acquisitions, and repay debt. Verizon is currently using its strong financial profile to acquire Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal aimed at enhancing its fiber network. The company’s growth investments should enable it to continue expanding its copious cash flows.

Verizon’s financial strength and growing cash flows have enabled it to continue increasing its dividend. The company recently delivered its 19th consecutive annual dividend increase, the longest current streak in the U.S. telecom sector. With more growth ahead, that streak should continue.

Big-time income boosters

Clearway Energy, Realty Income, and Verizon pay high-yielding dividends backed by strong financial profiles. They also have solid records of increasing their dividends, which seem likely to continue. That makes them great stocks to buy right now to boost your passive income.

A PARENT was left baffled after she was scorned by her child’s school for ‘failing snack time’.

The mum received a passive-aggressive note which accused her of breaking the “classroom policy”.

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She shared a snap of the letter and told her followers: “Day 1 of school and I’ve already failed snack time.

“Strong start, mom,” she added.

Her child had taken pretzels into class, which, according to the note, is one of three foods that are banned from school grounds.

The note read: “Your child’s snack of pretzels today did not meet our 4K classroom snack policy.

“Please make sure to send only fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese or yoghurt for their snack.

“Goldfish, popcorn and pretzels are not allowed for 4K students.

“If your child was without another snack, they were offered a classroom snack in place of this non-approved snack.

“Thank you for helping keep our 4K students safe due to severe classroom allergies.

The teacher added: “If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!”

The post was reshared by an influencer, and the identity of the parent and the school in question is currently unknown.

The controversial note sparked conversation in the comment section, with one saying: “Those snack restrictions are insane.”

“Please make a charcuterie board and send it,” joked another.

“Please send a rotisserie chicken,” said a third.

“Please send only perishable snacks so your 5yo lets it rot in their bag all day until snack time, thanks,” echoed another.

One wrote: “Good morning darling, please remember to take your snack time ribeye with you. Have a great day!”

The post was also shared on Reddit, where one person argued: “Speaking as a teacher: I hate teachers who are militant about snacks.

“So many families are just barely holding on, and you’re going to crawl up someone’s a** about food?”

Whilst many of the people who saw the post made a joke out of the situation, allergies are an incredibly serious matter.

Benedict Blythe died when he was just five years old after accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein in 2021.

Benedict had asthma and several allergies, including eggs, nuts, kiwi fruit and milk.

His parents had worked with the school to put together an allergy action plan in case of a reaction.

The school was responsible for storing oat milk in the staff fridge, which was labelled with the child’s name, and pouring it into Benedict’s cup in the classroom before handing it directly to him.

However, the jury inquest found that, on the day of his death, that process was not followed because his milk had been poured in the staff room rather than the classroom.

His parents were called to pick him up after he vomited and later “collapsed”.

Benedict was rushed to hospital but tragically couldn’t be saved and died later that day.

This year, his sister, Etta, six, took a petition to Downing Street to campaign for higher food safety regulations in schools.

She was joined by five other primary school students who took placards and the letter to Whitehall.

They called for Benedict’s Law to be implemented across the country to end the “postcode lottery” of allergy safeguards in schools.

Etta and friends joined other children affected by allergies to stand in front of No 10 and knocked on the door to hand over the petition signed by more than 13,000 people.

It comes following July’s jury inquest into Benedict’s death at Peterborough Town Hall, which found that Barnack Primary School, between Stamford and Peterborough, did not follow all the measures in place to prevent the fatal anaphylactic reaction.

It also found there were risks of contamination and delays in administering the adrenaline pen.

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I’m on a mission to reach financial freedom through passive income. My goal is to build multiple income streams that combine to eventually cover my basic living expenses, thereby eliminating the stress of having to earn money to meet my financial needs.

Every week, I aim to make progress toward this financial goal. This time, I plan to invest $250 into three leading dividend stocks: Coca-Cola (KO 0.94%), Camden Property Trust (CPT 1.12%), and W.P. Carey (WPC 0.90%). I believe these companies offer great potential to help me achieve my passive income ambitions.

Image source: Getty Images.

Satisfying income-seeking investors for decades

Coca-Cola has a terrific record of paying dividends. The global beverage giant has paid dividends for over a century, while increasing its payout for 63 consecutive years. That qualifies it for the elite group of Dividend Kings, companies that have had 50 or more consecutive years of annual dividend increases. Coca-Cola has been growing its payout at a low- to mid-single-digit rate in recent years.

The iconic beverage company’s dividend currently yields about 3%. That’s more than double the S&P 500‘s dividend yield, which is around 1.2%.

Coca-Cola generates significant cash flow, enabling it to reinvest in growing its business while paying its lucrative dividend. The company expects its capital investments to drive 4%-6% annual organic revenue growth over the long term, which should support mid- to high-single-digit annual earnings-per-share growth. Coca-Cola also has an A-rated balance sheet, giving it the financial flexibility to make acquisitions as attractive growth opportunities arise. Since 2016, a quarter of the company’s earnings growth has come from acquisitions. Those drivers should enable Coca-Cola to continue growing its cash flows and dividends.

Cashing in on demand for rental housing

Camden Property Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on owning multifamily properties. The landlord owns nearly 60,000 apartment units across 15 major markets in the southern half of the country. It invests in metro areas benefiting from strong employment and population growth trends. That drives demand for rental housing.

The REIT has paid a stable and steadily rising dividend over the past decade and a half. While Camden hasn’t increased its dividend every single year, it has been on a steady upward trajectory since the REIT reset its dividend during the financial crisis. The company’s payout currently yields around 3.8%.

Camden expects to deliver consistent earnings and dividend growth in the future. Its apartment portfolio should benefit from strong demand for rental housing, which should keep occupancy levels high while driving steady rent growth. Camden also has a strong financial profile, enabling it to invest in expanding its portfolio by acquiring stabilized apartment communities and starting new development projects. These growth drivers should enable Camden to continue increasing its dividend.

Building back better

W.P. Carey is a diversified REIT. It owns operationally critical commercial real estate (retail, industrial, warehouse, and other properties) across North America and Europe, secured by long-term net leases with built-in rental escalation clauses. These properties produce very stable rental income that rises each year.

The REIT has increased its dividend every single quarter since resetting the payment at the end of 2023. W.P. Carey realigned its dividend with its expected cash flows after exiting the office sector by selling and spinning off those properties. That strategy shift enabled the company to focus on properties with better long-term growth potential.

W.P. Carey has been steadily rebuilding its dividend (which currently yields 5.4%) and its portfolio. It spent $1.6 billion on new property investments last year and is on track to invest at a similar rate this year. That should enable it to grow its cash flow per share at a mid-single-digit annual rate, supporting a similar dividend growth rate.

Ideal passive income stocks

Coca-Cola, Camden Property Trust, and W.P. Carey are excellent fits for my passive income investment strategy. They pay dividends with above-average yields that steadily grow. As a result, they enable me to generate an attractive and growing stream of dividend income. Investing an additional $250 in these stocks this week will add nearly $10 to my annual passive income total, bringing me a little closer to achieving financial independence.

Most people buy tokens during a presale and just wait, hoping the price will go up later. But what if you didn’t have to wait? What if your tokens could start working for you before the project even launches? Bitcoin Hyper (Hyper) is making this possible.

While the presale is still live, buyers are already staking over 18 million tokens, earning massive passive rewards of more than 2,500% APY at this current stage.

What Is Bitcoin Hyper and How Does It Work?

Bitcoin Hyper is a Layer 2 built on top of Bitcoin. Its mission is simple: fix Bitcoin’s biggest limitations. Bitcoin is known for being secure but slow, expensive. It is also hard to build on. It doesn’t support smart contracts natively, which means it has been left out of the DeFi, NFT, and gaming revolutions.

Bitcoin Hyper changes that. It runs its own high-speed network that handles transactions instantly and cheaply. Smart contracts are made possible through the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), which is plugged directly into the Bitcoin Hyper chain.

The Canonical Bridge allows users to deposit BTC and interact with wrapped BTC inside the Hyper ecosystem, without losing Bitcoin’s core security.

So you get the best of both worlds: Bitcoin’s security and trust, combined with the speed and flexibility of Solana.

How $HYPE Tokens Power the Ecosystem

Right now, the early staking APY is around 2,500%. The reward cannot be claimed until after the Token Generation Event (TGE), but the value accumulates daily, giving early participants a significant edge.

The earlier you stake, the higher your total rewards. Each stage of the presale comes with a slightly higher token price and potentially lower staking APY. That’s why many people are moving fast to lock in this early passive income before the next price hike.

Bitcoin Hyper Roadmap and Why It Matters

Bitcoin Hyper is building something real and powerful. It is a Layer 2 solution created specifically for the Bitcoin blockchain. The platform’s core mission is to make BTC faster, cheaper, and more useful.

Bitcoin Hyper uses a custom-built Canonical Bridge that lets users deposit their BTC into the Layer 2 network. Once deposited, an equivalent amount of BTC is minted on Bitcoin Hyper’s sidechain in a trustless and verifiable way. This BTC is now fully usable on the Layer 2 network with near-instant transaction speeds.

All of this is powered by the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). Solana is known for its speed, and Bitcoin Hyper integrates the same engine to process transactions at high throughput. Users can send and receive BTC, interact with DeFi platforms, use apps, and stake their assets without waiting for long confirmations or paying high fees.

And it doesn’t stop there. Bitcoin Hyper regularly compresses and commits its data back to Bitcoin’s main chain, using zero-knowledge proofs to ensure full security and consistency. That way, you’re always getting the speed of Layer 2 with the security of Layer 1.

The $HYPER token is the native token of the ecosystem. This token does a lot. It’s the fuel for transaction fees, it powers staking rewards, it’s used for governance decisions, and it’s also how developers and early adopters are rewarded.

Holding $HYPER gives users access to network services, special features, early launches, and staking rewards.

Cutting-Edge Technology With Real Use Cases

Bitcoin Hyper is built with real performance and sustainability in mind. The platform runs a proof-of-stake system, which is far more energy-efficient than traditional mining. It processes transactions using batch settlements and smart contract execution that’s both fast and eco-friendly.

Its architecture combines Bitcoin’s security with Solana’s performance. The Canonical Bridge ensures seamless BTC transfers in and out of Layer 2. And the SPL-compatible token standard opens the door to all kinds of DeFi tools, NFT platforms, and web3 applications.

On top of that, Bitcoin Hyper supports everything from high-speed payments to gaming and mobile interfaces. Developers get access to SDKs and APIs, while users enjoy low fees and a fast, fluid experience.

Unique Staking System With High Rewards

Tokenomics Designed for Growth

Roadmap: From Launch to Long-Term Vision

Bitcoin Hyper’s roadmap is detailed and focused. It’s rolling out in multiple phases:

Phase 1 (Q2 2025) kicked off with the website and branding, community growth on platforms like X and Discord, and the release of technical documentation.

Phase 2 (Q2–Q3 2025) is where we are now. This phase is all about the presale and staking. Participants can buy and stake $HYPER right now. Security audits are ongoing, and the team is forming partnerships.

Phase 3 (Q3 2025) will mark the launch of the mainnet, activation of the Canonical Bridge, and deployment of the Solana Virtual Machine. This is when dApps will start going live.

Phase 4 (Q4 2025) will focus on expanding the ecosystem. Developer tools will be released, more partnerships in DeFi, gaming, and NFTs will be announced, and $HYPER is expected to hit major exchanges.

Phase 5 (Q1 2026) will move into decentralization with the launch of a DAO, incentives for node operators, and full community governance.

How to Join the Presale and Start Earning

If you already have crypto in your wallet, head to the project’s website and click “Buy” or “Connect Wallet.” You can choose to buy $HYPER and stake it in the same transaction. This lets you start earning rewards right away.

For those using a card, just connect a browser wallet like MetaMask or a mobile wallet like Trust Wallet. After this, select the card option on the website and follow the steps.

VISIT THE BITCOIN HYPER COMMUNITY

   Website  |     X  (Twitter)    |   Telegram

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and the market can be unpredictable. Always perform thorough research before making any cryptocurrency-related decisions.