Market Crash Fears? Find Your Calm in Dividends

There’s a certain comfort in knowing that some things simply don’t change, like the lighthouse that keeps shining its beam, night after night, no matter how rough the sea becomes.

Sailors have trusted that light for centuries. They don’t need to wonder if it will show up, or if the storm will silence it.  It’s just there, steady, patient, guiding them home when everything around them turns chaotic.

We all need something like that in our lives. Something we can count on when visibility drops and the winds start to howl.

That same idea lies at the heart of our approach to income investing, at High Dividend Opportunities.

Pick 1: VZ – Yield 5.6%

Verizon Communications (VZ) continues to be a model of dependability, powered by rising free cash flow as steady CapEx declines from its 5G and fiber spending peak in 2022. In 2025, the company generated $20.1 billion in FCF, and expects a 7% YoY growth in 2026, as the company pivots towards continued CapEx declines and AI-driven efficiencies.

This strong cash flow easily supports Verizon’s dividend, which was recently raised for the 20th consecutive year. The payout stands modest at 57% of 2025  FCF, indicating a well-covered dividend, backed by management’s clear commitment and the company’s dominant position in U.S. telecom.

Despite this stability, VZ still trades at a value-friendly ~9.5× forward PE and offers a 5.6% Qualified Dividend Income yield, making it a reliable income pick in turbulent market conditions.

Pick 2: UTF – Yield 7.7%

Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund (UTF) gives investors diversified access to the most essential, cash-rich corners of global infrastructure—utilities, midstream energy, and towers. With over 300 holdings and strong exposure to regulated electric and gas utilities, the fund is positioned at the center of long-term demand for power and digital connectivity.

The fund has a strong record of maintaining its monthly distribution supported by robust asset quality. About 60% of UTF’s portfolio is invested in companies with investment-grade balance sheets, providing a higher degree of safety and stability in this market that is increasingly concerned about credit risk.

UTF still trades at an attractive ~8% discount to NAV, offering investors a rare opportunity to buy dependable infrastructure cash flows below their underlying value.

Conclusion

At High Dividend Opportunities, we believe income investors deserve this same sense of reliability. Our goal isn’t to chase the hottest trends or predict the next breakout; it's to build a portfolio that behaves like that familiar constant in your life: dependable, repeatable, and resilient in the face of market weather.

We look for investments that can keep paying you, not just in good times, but especially when conditions turn challenging. Because a retirement plan isn't powered by hope or hype.  It's powered by income you can count on.