👉️ Tariffs: The Latest On The New Stock Market Buzzword 📉 

👉️ Dividend Darlings: Cash In on the Top 3 Highest Yielding Dividend Aristocrats During a Period of Instability 💰️ 

👉️ The Profit Zone Premium: We’re 3.5x’ing the S&P Year To Date Amid All Market Chaos. Dont Get Left In The Dust. Join Us Today ✅ 

Tariffs - The Stock Market Buzz Word

Initially expected to be a manageable economic challenge, Trumps tariff plan announced on April 2nd, 2025, exceeded market expectations.

The policy imposed a 10% baseline tariff on all U.S. trading partners effective Saturday April 5th, with additional rates for 60 countries effective a week later from that date, increasing the effective U.S. tariff rate from 2.5% to over 20%.

This marks the highest level of tariffs since 1910, surpassing the infamous Smoot-Hawley tariffs of 1930, which have been blamed for making the Great Depression worse than it should have been.

The announcement triggered a severe two-day stock market sell-off, described as "vicious" but not yet a full bear market according to the Stock Traders Almanac.

Investors were further rattled by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's Friday remarks, which eliminated hopes of immediate interest rate cuts to offset the economic damage.

Powell noted that the tariffs would likely reduce growth and increase inflation, leaving the Fed in a “holding pattern”.

Trump remained optimistic, citing a "very productive call" with Vietnam’s leader, who reportedly agreed to zero tariffs if a deal was reached, and hinting at negotiations with China over TikTok to ease tensions.

This highlights the gap between Trump’s vision, prying open foreign markets and reducing the U.S. trade deficit ($903 billion in 2024).

Critics such as Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel called it "the biggest policy mistake in 95 years" labeling it a "self-inflicted wound."

Despite the chaos, the Stock Traders Almanac suggested that such corrections only turn into bear markets a third of the time, offering a sliver lining amid the chaos in the market.

Thoughts:

The "vicious two-day sell-off" reflects a market caught off guard by the tariff announcement, despite knowing it was coming.

The psychological impact on investors is undeniable at this point.

Markets thrive on predictability, and Trump’s sudden shift from a "manageable" problem to "worse than the worst-case scenario" shattered that completely.

The sell-off wasn’t just about tariffs but also the erosion of faith in a Federal Reserve "put", which was the expectation that the Fed would cut rates to cushion the blow.

Powell’s cautious stance signals a Fed that is concerned about increasing inflation further, leaving stocks extremely vulnerable.

This could mark a turning point in the markets where sentiment, and not just fundamentals, drives deeper losses if the uncertainty continues.

Dividend Darlings: Cash In on the Top 3 Highest Yielding Dividend Aristocrats

Hey there 👋 

If you’re on the hunt for steady income with a side of reliability, you’ve likely heard of Dividend Aristocrats: elite S&P 500 companies that have raised their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years.

These companies are like the dependable friend who always shows up with pizza: they deliver, year after year.

Today, we’re spotlighting 3 of the highest yielding Dividend Aristocrats as of March 31, 2025:

• Altria Group $MO ( ▼ 0.77% ) 

• Universal Corporation $UVV ( ▲ 0.33% ) 

• Northwest Natural Holding Company $NWN ( ▼ 0.05% ) 

Get ready to meet some cash-flow champs, learn what they do, and see why their hefty yields make them a solid choice on your hunt for cash flow.

Why Dividend Aristocrats Rock for Long-Term Gains

Before we dive in, let’s talk about why these Aristocrats are worth your attention.

These aren’t just companies that toss out a dividend and call it a day, they’ve proven they can grow that payout through recessions, market meltdowns, and more.

For you, that means a reliable income stream that keeps pace with inflation, plus the potential for stock price appreciation.

Over decades, their consistent dividend hikes compound your returns, turning a modest investment into a serious nest egg.

It’s like planting a money tree that drops bigger fruit every year: low risk, high reward, and a whole lot of peace of mind.

Let’s meet the top 3 yielders lighting up the Dividend Aristocrat list right now.

1. Altria Group (MO) – Yield: ~7.0%

Who They Are: Altria Group, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a consumer staples giant and a titan in the tobacco industry.

What They Do: They’re the company behind Marlboro cigarettes in the U.S., alongside other brands like Skoal and Copenhagen for smokeless tobacco. They also dabble in e-cigarettes and hold a 10% stake in beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Where They Operate: Primarily in the U.S., with a global reach through their investments.

How They Make Money: Altria cashes in on addictive products including cigarettes, that don’t cost much to produce. Loyal customers keep buying, even in tough times. Price hikes offset declining smoking rates, keeping the profits flowing.

Dividend Growth Glory: Altria has raised its dividend for 56 straight years, with a current quarterly payout of $1.02 per share. During the past 12 months, Altria Group's average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 4.20% per year. During the past 3 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 4.40% per year. During the past 5 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 4.10% per year. During the past 10 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 7.40% per year. (Source)

Why You’ll Love It: That sky-high 7.0% yield means serious income—$1,000 invested gets you $70 a year, and it’s likely only going up from here.

2. Universal Corporation (UVV) – Yield: ~5.8%

Who They Are: Universal Corporation, based in Richmond, Virginia, is a lesser-known gem in the tobacco supply chain.

What They Do: They’re the world’s leading leaf tobacco supplier, buying, processing, and selling tobacco to manufacturers like Altria. They also dabble in plant-based ingredients for food and pharma.

Where They Operate: With operations in over 30 countries, they source tobacco from places like Brazil, Africa, and the U.S., serving a global market.

How They Make Money: Universal earns money by acting as the middleman, buying raw tobacco from farmers, processing it, and selling it at a markup to cigarette makers. It’s a steady business tied to a resilient industry.

Dividend Growth Glory: Universal’s been hiking its dividend for 55 years, with a current quarterly payout of $0.81 per share. During the past 12 months, Universal's average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 1.30% per year. During the past 3 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 1.30% per year. During the past 5 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 1.30% per year. During the past 10 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 5.90% per year (Source)

Why You’ll Love It: A 5.8% yield from a behind-the-scenes player in a recession-proof sector? That’s a quiet winner for your income stream.

3. Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) – Yield: ~4.6%

Who They Are: Northwest Natural is a utility company headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

What They Do: They deliver natural gas to homes, businesses, and industries, while also managing gas storage and dabbling in renewable natural gas projects.

Where They Operate: They serve over 795,000 customers across Oregon and southwest Washington.

How They Make Money: As a regulated utility, NWN collects steady revenue from gas distribution rates approved by regulators, plus some extra from storage services. It’s predictable cash flow at its finest.

Dividend Growth Glory: NWN boasts a 70-year streak of dividend increases, one of the longest around, with a current quarterly payout of $0.49 per share. During the past 12 months, Northwest Natural Holding Co's average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 0.50% per year. During the past 3 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 0.50% per year. During the past 5 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 0.50% per year. During the past 10 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 0.60% per year. (Source)

Why You’ll Love It: That 4.6% yield comes with utility-grade stability, your money’s relatively safe because of predictability and the dividends just keep climbing every year.

The Long-Term Payoff

Here’s the magic of these Dividend Aristocrats: their track record isn’t just a bragging right, it’s a promise.

Companies like Altria, Universal, and Northwest Natural have the financial strength and management to keep those dividends soaring.

For you, that means a growing stream of income.

These stock’s yields are top-tier, and their stability means fewer sleepless nights when the market starts falling.

Reinvest those dividends and you’re building wealth on autopilot.

So what’s your move? 

These high-yielders are dishing out cash now and setting you up for the long haul.

Whether it’s Altria’s tobacco titan status, Universal’s supply chain stronghold, or Northwest Natural’s utility dependability, you’re tapping into proven winners that have been profiting off their target markets for years.

Grab a slice of these Aristocrats, sit back, and watch your portfolio grow, because who doesn’t love a paycheck that keeps getting fatter?

See you in the next one!

Alex (The Dividend Dominator)
Founder and CEO of Dividend Domination Inc.
Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

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