Last year, I looked at a ranking of U.S. stocks by dividend yield and found that there are still quite a few opportunities in high-dividend U.S. stocks. The overall dividend yield of the S&P 500 is only about 1.2%, which is indeed a bit low, but you can still find some undervalued stocks on the market with dividend yields exceeding 5%.

The most impressive performances were from a few companies. Verizon, as a leader in telecommunications, has a dividend yield close to 7%. Although its stock price hasn't increased much in the past two years, it remains a good example of stable cash flow. Another is Enbridge, an energy infrastructure company that has increased its dividends for 22 consecutive years, and this kind of historical record definitely inspires confidence. Realty Income focuses on commercial real estate leasing, holding over 12,000 properties, and its stability is also very strong.

I think the key to investing in high-dividend U.S. stocks still lies in the company's fundamentals. The first step is to thoroughly understand the company's financial condition and cash flow to ensure income is truly stable. The second step is to look at the dividend payment history over the past 5-10 years; those that have maintained stability through economic cycles are more reliable. The third step is to compare dividend yields across different companies; don’t blindly chase high yields, but understand the underlying logic.

Looking ahead, after 2025, high-dividend U.S. stocks are expected to present many opportunities. Wall Street predicts that this year's total dividend payouts may hit new highs, which is a signal for investors seeking stable income. Especially in the context of slowing economic growth and increased market volatility, mature companies with high dividends are definitely worth paying attention to.

However, to be honest, high-dividend stocks are not without risks. Some companies have high debt levels and unstable profits, and their dividend policies could be adjusted or even suspended at any time. Therefore, before investing, it’s essential to do thorough research, have a clear understanding of your risk tolerance, and avoid blindly chasing yields.