Recently looked at the U.S. stock market and found that some high-dividend stocks are indeed worth paying attention to. The S&P 500's dividend yield is only about 1.2%, the lowest in nearly 20 years, but there are still options in the market with an annualized return of over 5%.

I’ve compiled a few good high-dividend stocks, including Brookfield Renewable (BEPC, 5.6%), Enbridge (ENB, 6%), Realty Income (O, 5.8%), Verizon (VZ, 7%), and Vici Properties (VICI, 5.9%). These companies are basically industry leaders, with stable cash flow and a long history of dividends.

Among them, Enbridge has increased its dividends for 22 consecutive years, which is already a good sign. Verizon, as a telecom giant, has stable operations, and its latest earnings report exceeded expectations. Realty Income focuses on commercial real estate leasing, with over 12,000 properties under its portfolio. The biggest advantage of these high-dividend stocks is that they can provide you with stable cash returns, while the companies themselves are also growing, offering potential capital appreciation.

However, choosing high-dividend stocks also requires paying attention to a few key points. First, understand the company's profitability and cash flow, and see if they have been stable over the past 5-10 years. Second, check the historical dividend record to see if the company has been consistently paying dividends or increasing them year by year. Lastly, compare the dividend yield; if it’s too low, consider the reasons, and if it’s too high, be cautious of risks.

From a macro perspective, profit growth in the U.S. stock market is expected to accelerate in 2025, which could also lead to dividend growth. Goldman Sachs predicts a 7% increase in S&P 500 dividends this year, while Bank of America’s forecast is even more optimistic, estimating a 12% rise. Therefore, during periods of economic uncertainty, allocating some high-dividend stocks to balance your portfolio makes sense.

Of course, risk prevention is also necessary. Some companies have high debt levels and unstable earnings, which could force dividend adjustments or even suspensions. Before investing, make sure to do your homework, understand the company’s financial situation, and consider your own risk tolerance when making choices.