The SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF ( NYSEARCA:SPTM) generates income by collecting dividends from its holdings and passing them through to investors. With 1,500 holdings spanning the entire U.S. market, SPTM offers broad exposure at an ultra-low 0.03% expense ratio. The fund yields 1.1%, modest compared to the 10-year Treasury at 4.16% - a dynamic we explored in today's Daily Profit newsletter - but the story is capital appreciation combined with steady income rather than yield chasing.
Meta Platforms just posted record results while generating massive free cash flow, setting the stage for potential dividend growth as the company balances aggressive AI investments with returning cash to investors. In Q4, Meta ( META) posted earnings of $8.88 per share on revenue of $59.9 billion, handily beating analyst expectations of $8.23 per share and $58.59 billion in sales. Revenue jumped 24% year-over-year, with advertising accounting for nearly 97% of the total haul at $58.1 billion.
"2025 was a year of accelerated momentum, with strong operational and financial performance across Shell." He added, "In the fourth quarter, despite lower earnings in a softer macro (environment), cash delivery remained solid and today we announce a 4% increase in our dividend and 3.5 billion dollars share buyback, making this the 17th consecutive quarter of at least three billion dollars of buybacks."
The Barbour family has paid itself a £30 million dividend after a fashion-led revival of waxed jackets helped drive a sharp increase in profits at the heritage outerwear group. Accounts filed at Companies House show that J Barbour & Sons posted a £10 million rise in operating profit to £49.5 million in the year to the end of April, as renewed demand for its signature waxed jackets boosted sales and margins. The company, founded in 1894 and still wholly owned by the founding family, has benefited from a resurgence in popularity as waxed jackets returned to fashion, driven by collaborations with luxury labels, musicians and designers that have broadened its appeal among younger consumers.
Bank stocks haven't exactly been the darlings of income investors over the past few years, for understandable reasons. Between regional banking stress, interest rate uncertainty, and regular overhang, the sector has traded at a discount compared to the broader market while many investors were also looking elsewhere for better yields. However, it's very possible that 2026 could be something of a turning point.
The 2.8% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment that took effect in January 2026 initially looked like good news. With overall inflation running at 2.7% in December, the COLA appeared to provide a small cushion. But for many retirees, the national inflation average doesn't tell the whole story. The goods and services retirees depend on most-healthcare, groceries, utilities-are rising faster than the headline number suggests, and that gap could quietly erode purchasing power over time.
The copper market has surged in recent weeks, with producers and miners posting double-digit gains as investors position for infrastructure spending and energy transition demand. Against rising commodity prices and cooling labor markets that may prompt Fed policy flexibility, five companies stand out for their copper exposure, operational scale, and momentum. 5. Teck Resources (NYSE:TECK): Diversified Metals Play With Copper Upside Teck Resources delivered an 11.1% gain over the past month, bringing its market cap to $24.27B.
Costco Wholesale ( NASDAQ:COST ) has long been a terrific investment, delivering superior returns no matter when you bought the stock. Whether you bought shares a year ago, a decade back, or even at the turn of the millennium, the stock's consistent outperformance stems from its membership-driven model that fosters loyalty and steady revenue. Beyond share price gains that often double the broader market, Costco has rewarded investors through reliable dividends.
Accounts for Jamie Oliver Holdings (JOH) show pre-tax profits dropped from £3.4 million to £2.4 million in 2024, despite a 6% rise in sales to £28.6 million. The results reflect a mixed year for the celebrity chef's media and restaurant group, which saw strong growth in hospitality offset by lower income from media and brand deals. JOH encompasses Oliver's television and publishing ventures, endorsements, cookery school, and restaurant operations, as well as licensing and franchise income from international Jamie's Italian and Jamie's Deli outlets.
Dividend-oriented strategies aren't just for traditional value investors anymore. Many investors want to capture artificial intelligence (AI) growth while still generating reliable income. That can be achieved by pairing income-focused ETFs with AI-heavy funds, creating a forward-looking portfolio that balances payouts with exposure to transformative technology. Why Combine Dividends With AI? Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries from healthcare and finance to entertainment and manufacturing. Companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, and AMD are leading this shift.
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) is a Dividend Aristocrat trading at 2018 prices after a slew of unfortunate events that caused it to plunge. The December assassination of CEO Brian Thompson rattled investors and triggered an internal succession scramble, followed immediately by a rare 1.2% earnings miss in Q1, a guidance withdrawal, and the group's CEO resigning.
