Many dividend stocks have sold off over the past year. Higher interest rates made lower-risk investments like bonds and bank CDs more attractive income-generating options. That weighed on the value of some high-quality dividend stocks, pushing up their yields.

On the bright side, income-seeking investors can lock in some pretty attractive dividend yields these days. Realty Income (NYSE: O), Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEPC)(NYSE: BEP), AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), and (NYSE: VZ) all currently offer dividend yields above 4%, which is more than double the S 500's yield (1.5%). Here's why income-seeking investors should scoop up their shares this month.

Realty Income currently offers a 5.6% dividend yield. The real estate investment trust (REIT) pays a monthly dividend, which makes it a great way to generate passive income. The company also has an excellent track record of increasing its payout. It has raised its dividend 122 times since its public market listing in 1994, including for the last 104 consecutive quarters.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com