When ultrasafe Treasury yields rise, shares of slow but steady dividend growth stocks lose some of their luster. As a result of rising Treasury yields, shares of W.P. Carey and Realty Income have fallen enough that they offer an average yield above 6% at recent prices.

These four S&P 500 stocks pay 6% and higher dividends, have Buy ratings at top Wall Street firms, and are offering excellent entry points.

As traders and investors look ahead to 2025, the dividend sector is set to draw considerable interest, as market participants increasingly search for dependable income streams.

It's challenging to find dividend-paying stocks with attractive growth prospects. That's because a company should have enough free cash flow (FCF) to support business opportunities and pay dividends.

Over time, dividend stocks have shown consistent resilience in difficult market conditions. Despite the recent focus on AI, the long-term appeal of these stocks has grown.

Despite finishing up more than 23% higher for the second year in a row, the S&P 500 has been weighed down by sell-offs amid thin volume trading as investors take profits before the new year. For many investors,

Best of all, AT&T's shares can be had for only about 10 times its forecasted free cash flow for 2025 (and 9 times its projections for 2027). Additionally, its stock currently yields a hefty 4.9%.