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3 Ultra-High Dividend Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

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Investors are drawn to dividend stocks, particularly the ultra-high yield variety. These stocks offer a significant income stream and the potential for massive total returns. In the context of dividend stocks, total return includes the stock’s appreciation in value and the dividends it pays. This measure of return is a key factor in their appeal.

At 247 Wall St., we consistently emphasize the potential of total return to our readers, as it is one of the most effective ways to enhance the prospects of overall investing success. Once again, total return is the collective increase in a stock’s value plus dividends.

For younger investors or those on a tight budget, investing to generate consistent passive income can be daunting because many top dividend stocks trade anywhere from $25 to over $100 per share. Realizing any significant return on investment can be challenging with a small investing capital base of $500.

We screened our 24/7 Wall St. dividend income database for solid, lower-priced stocks that pay ultra-high dividends. We found three that investors can purchase with as little as $500 and start generating positive total returns and all trade at less than $15 per share.

Arbor Realty Trust

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Arbor Realty Trust offers nationwide solutions for multifamily finance.

This company trades at a ridiculous 8.8 times estimated 2024 earnings and pays a massive 12.18% dividend. Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE: ABR) invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States.

The company operates in two segments:

  • Structured Business 
  • Agency Business

Arbor Realty Trust primarily invests in:

  • Bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages
  • Preferred and direct equity and real estate-related joint ventures
  • Real estate-related notes
  • Various mortgage-related securities

The company offers:

  • Bridge financing products to borrowers who seek short-term capital to be used in an acquisition of property
  • Financing by making preferred equity investments in entities that directly or indirectly own real property
  • Mezzanine financing in the form of loans that are subordinate to a conventional first mortgage loan and senior to the borrower’s equity in a transaction
  • Junior participation financing in the form of a junior participating interest in the senior debt
  • Financing products to borrowers seeking conventional, workforce, and affordable single-family housing

Further, it underwrites, originates, sells, and services multifamily mortgage loans through conduit/commercial mortgage-backed securities programs.

Cato Corporation

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The Cato Corporation is an American retailer of women’s fashion and accessories.

Paying shareholders a gigantic 11.18% dividend, this company, founded in 1946, could attract value buyers at current trading levels. Cato Corp. (NYSE: CATO) and its subsidiaries operate as a specialty fashion apparel and accessories retailer in the southeastern United States.

It operates through two segments:

  • Retail 
  • Credit

The company’s stores and e-commerce websites offer a range of apparel and accessories, including:

  • Dressy, career, and casual sportswear
  • Dresses
  • Coats
  • Shoes
  • Lingerie
  • Costume jewelry
  • Handbags
  • Men’s wear
  • Lines for kids and infants

It operates its stores and e-commerce websites under these names:

  • Cato
  • Cato Fashions
  • Cato Plus
  • It’s Fashion
  • Fashion Metro
  • Versona names

It also provides credit card services and layaway plans for its customers.

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Dynex Capital

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Dynex Capital is an internally managed mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in mortgage-backed securities.

Paying a hefty 12.96% dividend, Dynex Capital Inc. (NYSE: DX) is a passive income champion for more aggressive investors. It is a mortgage real estate investment trust that invests in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) on a leveraged basis in the United States.

It invests in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), including residential, commercial, and interest-only securities.

Agency MBS has a guarantee of principal payment by an agency of the U.S. government or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Non-agency MBS has no such payment guarantee. The company has qualified as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It is generally not subject to federal income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders as dividends.

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