Despite a rally by the major stock market indexes over the past two days on the Fed’s indication that it will leave interest rates unchanged for now, the market is expected to remain volatile on concerns over a decline in consumer confidence and increasing COVID-19 cases. So, we think it could be wise to bet on high-yield dividend stocks PJSC LUKOIL (LUKOY (OTC:LUKOY)), Dow (DOW), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) FEMSA (KOF), and Vector Group (NYSE:VGR) to ensure a steady income stream. These stocks have an overall ‘Strong Buy’ rating in our proprietary rating system. So, let’s take a closer look.After a weak start to the week, the major stock market indexes have rallied over the past two days, with investors looking past the Evergrande debt crisis in China. The market also sloughed off the Federal Reserve’s announcement on September 22 that it will likely reduce its monthly bond purchases as soon as November.
However, according to The Conference Board, the consumer confidence index came in at 113.8 in August, its lowest level since February. COVID-19 cases are on the rise too. So, many still expect the stock market to decline significantly in the near term. Therefore, we think it could be wise to invest now in high-yield quality dividend stocks to secure a steady income stream. British global asset management group Janus Henderson upgraded its global 2021 dividend forecast to $1.39 trillion from $1.36 trillion, just 3% below the pre-pandemic peak.
The high dividend yields and strong fundamentals of PJSC LUKOIL (LUKOY), Dow Inc. (DOW), Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (KOF), and Vector Group Ltd . (VGR) make them solid picks now. These companies have paid dividends consistently and have an overall A (Strong Buy) rating in our POWR Ratings system.