Undisruptable: How Dividend Stocks Became Market Leaders - And Why That Scares Me

Dividend stocks and defensive sectors have dramatically outperformed as investors flee AI-vulnerable and AI-spending industries, but valuations now appear stretched. Consumer staples and energy sectors trade at historically high forward P/E multiples, often exceeding the S&P 500, despite lower long-term earnings growth prospects. Materials and industrials have also become extended, with valuations reflecting significant future earnings already priced in, especially given AI infrastructure spending.

Seeking Alpha • Feb 14, 2026

Revenge Of The Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks have sharply outperformed AI-related tech stocks since November 2025, reversing a multi-year trend. I see the rally in dividend ETFs like SCHD as overextended, prompting a pause in new purchases despite recent gains. AI is likely to benefit users more than makers, with sectors like banks, energy, and consumer staples positioned as early winners.

Seeking Alpha • Feb 7, 2026

CDL: Long-Term Outperformance Is Unlikely Despite Recent Success

VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF brings together the high dividend and low volatility factors, with a touch of quality. With a portfolio having a 5.6% weighted average EY and a 24-month beta of 0.43, CDL is beating IVV this year amid the rotation, as investors are abandoning growthier names. Nevertheless, I remain skeptical about CDL owing to its anemic historical upside capture and significant underperformance vs. the S&P 500 ETF since 2015.

Seeking Alpha • Feb 7, 2026

5 Dividend Buys That Fill Me With Yuletide Joy

Some end-of-year Big Picture thoughts, including on the demographic destiny of falling population growth and the headwinds to economic growth that come with it. Why tariff-driven inflation is unlikely to generate anything more than a short-term bump followed by continued disinflation. Why the huge amount of cash on the sidelines could progressively become a tailwind to other types of financial assets, including dividend-paying stocks.

Seeking Alpha • Dec 20, 2025

Diversifying Dividends: Sketching Out My Battle Plan For 2026

I plan to diversify my REIT-heavy portfolio by systematically allocating to four dividend-focused ETFs in 2026. US economic growth remains steady but subdued, while equity valuations are elevated, suggesting muted long-term returns. REITs appear attractively valued with fading headwinds, offering plausible outperformance as fundamentals improve and rate cuts loom.

Seeking Alpha • Dec 13, 2025

The Dividend Growth Trifecta: Hunting For Quality, Yield, And Growth

The Dividend Growth Trifecta—quality, yield, and growth—remains my core focus for portfolio construction in an expensive market. Industry leaders like Ares Management Corporation and Blackstone Inc. offer superior risk-adjusted returns; I prefer buying dips in top names over chasing value in lower-quality peers. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF™ is off my buy list due to sector reconstitution and dimmed double-digit dividend growth prospects, despite holding a large position.

Seeking Alpha • Dec 6, 2025

5 Blue-Chip Dividend Compounders I'm Buying On Discount

The current AI investment boom risks creating a bubble, with funding needs outpacing hyperscalers' cash flows and raising concerns of a lost decade for stocks. AI-related stocks have driven market gains, but overinvestment and high valuations make the S&P 500 (SPY) vulnerable to poor long-term returns. Dividend growth investors should focus on reasonably valued REITs and dividend stocks, which historically outperform during tech downturns.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 22, 2025

CDL: A Mixed Bag Of High Dividend And Low Volatility

VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF holds 100 large and mid-caps selected by yields and weighted based on volatility. CDL is well-diversified, has value characteristics, and has a focus on utilities and consumer staples. CDL has underperformed SPY and SCHD but leads in total returns among specialized high-dividend, low-volatility ETFs.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 14, 2025

A Whirlwind Tour Through Major REIT Earnings Reports (And My Buy List)

AI-driven tech stocks dominate 2025 returns, leaving dividend and high-yield ETFs lagging due to limited AI exposure. REITs face mixed fortunes: ARE and DOC struggle with life science oversupply, while IVT, AMT, ADC, and VICI offer attractive dividend growth and value. My current buy list focuses on undervalued REITs and ETFs with strong dividend growth.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 1, 2025

The Utterly Tranquil Feeling Of Watching Your Passive Income Grow

Dividend growth investing offers reliable, passive income and personal tranquility, more so than non-dividend strategies and rental property investing. Current market valuations, especially in Big Tech and AI, are historically high and may lead to poor returns, making broad index funds risky. Healthcare, REITs, and midstream energy present attractive opportunities for DGI investors.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 25, 2025