Investing in the stock market is your ticket to building long-term wealth, and dividend stocks are the ingredient to generating effortless passive income. Companies that pay dividends consistently outshine their non-dividend counterparts over time. That’s because dividend payers tend to have sound business models and disciplined management that reward their investors steadily over time.
The energy sector has been on fire this year, amid the ongoing conflict in Iran and rising oil and gas prices. Not only that, but companies in the energy sector tend to have reliable dividends, making them an excellent choice for income-focused investors. If you’re looking to boost passive income from your portfolio, here are three dividend stocks to double up on right now.
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1. Chevron has rewarded shareholders with a growing annual dividend for decades
Chevron(NYSE: CVX) is a major integrated oil and gas company that has steadily rewarded its shareholders by growing its annual dividend for 39 consecutive years. This comes despite the fact that Chevron operates in the oil and gas industry, where prices and profits can be quite volatile. In the first quarter, Chevron reported its 16th consecutive quarter of returning more than $5 billion to shareholders, including $3.5 billion in dividends.
Its long history of dividend raises is a testament to its integrated business model and capital discipline. Key to Chevron’s success is its focus on low-cost, high-margin assets, including those in the Permian Basin and Gulf of Mexico. Following its acquisition of Hess, which gave it a 30% in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, Chevron has significantly increased its oil-equivalent production to over 3.8 million barrels per day.
Chevron’s focus on high-quality assets and technology to more efficiently extract oil and gas enables it to cover its capital expenditures and dividend payments, even if the price of Brent crude oil drops below $50 per barrel. This low break-even cost is a testament to its disciplined investment approach and protects it from plummeting oil prices.
The ongoing conflict in Iran benefits Chevron, which will see higher profit margins amid elevated oil prices. Even if the conflict ends soon and the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, it will take time to repair damaged ports and infrastructure, which could keep oil prices elevated for the foreseeable future. In that case, Chevron, with its long history of returning capital to shareholders and 3.8% dividend yield, is a top energy dividend stock to buy now.
2. Enbridge boasts stable cash flows and an attractive yield
Enbridge(NYSE: ENB) is another big player in the energy industry, but rather than producing oil or gas, it operates the infrastructure that helps transport these materials. This puts it smack dab in the middle of the energy value chain, which is why it is called a midstream provider. As part of this, Enbridge owns the pipelines and storage facilities that transport energy from resource-rich basins to major refining hubs, export terminals, and consumer markets in North America.
Enbridge is a top pipeline operator, and as U.S. oil and gas exports grow rapidly, Enbridge will be a key part of this growth. The company is also actively expanding its gas infrastructure to support the surging demand for gas power generation to fuel data centers.
Midstream operators can pay very attractive dividend yields due to their stable business models and predictable cash flows. Enbridge generates approximately 98% of its EBITDA from long-term take-or-pay contracts, which ensure it is paid regardless of commodity prices. Enbridge consistently rewards shareholders and has increased its annual dividend payout for 31 consecutive years, making it another excellent dividend stock for investors today.
3. Enterprise Products Partners is built to consistently reward shareholders
Enterprise Products Partners(NYSE: EPD) is another midstream company that operates a network of over 50,000 miles of pipelines, 300 million barrels of liquid storage, and 21 deep-water docks. Similar to Enbridge, Enterprise Products Partners transports and processes natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products from production sites to end markets or export hubs.
Enterprise’s business model is designed for stability, and its corporate structure is designed to reward shareholders. That’s because it operates as a master limited partnership (MLP). As a pass-through entity, Enterprise doesn’t pay a corporate income tax. It passes profits through to its unitholders, making it an excellent dividend payer, though investors should consider the tax implications before buying.
Enterprise Products Partners yields nearly 6%. Another benefit is that it has grown its distribution for 27 consecutive years and has returned $63 billion to unitholders since its IPO in 1998. With its stable, fee-based business model, Enterprise is another solid stock for income investors to double up on today.
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Courtney Carlsen has positions in Chevron. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron and Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
