Are The Dividends Safe For These High-Yielding Stocks?

Everyone wants to earn more. For investors in dividend growth stocks, the quick way to earn more is to select dividend stocks with higher yields. Swap those 2-4% yields in for stocks earning 6-10%, or more. Before making the trade, you should ask yourself the following two questions: 1. Why is the yield higher? and 2. Are these higher yields sustainable?Structure Driven YieldsOne variation in yields can be attributed to the entity's tax structure. For example, Master Limited Partnerships and REITs do not pay income taxes. Instead, earnings are passed to investors who pay the taxes. Yields on these types of investments tend to be higher. Since the entity doesn't have to pay income taxes, there is more cash to distribute. Also, since earnings from these investments don't qualify for preferential dividend tax rates, the market adjusts the price of the investment down, which increases... Read more