Our Top Picks For July: Steady Monthly Income With +8.5% Yields

Every investment can generate returns in one of two ways: rising prices or cash dividends. Together, they represent total returns from any investment. Higher prices are always nice to see, but they are not predictable or reliable. It is possible that at the time you require some capital, the prices are not favorable to sell.

While market prices fluctuate daily, income provides investors with something tangible – a steady stream of cash that can be spent, saved, or reinvested, providing ample flexibility to take advantage of market disconnects. Regardless of whether prices are favorable or not to sell the investment, dividends and interest payments arrive consistently and reliably. Over time, those payments become an increasingly meaningful contributor to total returns.

At High Dividend Opportunities, our goal is to build diversified portfolios that generate reliable income without sacrificing quality, creating a strategy designed to perform across a wide range of market environments. 

Join today and save 25% on your first year, backed by our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. 

Let’s now discuss our top picks.

1. RQI – Yield 8.7%

   
   

Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund (RQI) is an actively managed closed-end fund focused on high-quality REITs. Since its launch in 2002, RQI has navigated multiple real estate cycles, delivering an attractive combination of high distributions and strong long-term total returns. Its portfolio includes many industry-leading REITs, such as Welltower Inc., Crown Castle Inc., and Iron Mountain Incorporated.

RQI has recently traded lower following the announcement of a rights offering—a common event that CEFs employ to expand their size and scale. This often creates temporary selling pressure which in this case, we view as an opportunity rather than a concern. This additional capital allows the fund to expand its portfolio at a time when REIT valuations are very attractive. History shows that discounts created by rights offerings often narrow once the process concludes. For income investors seeking diversified real estate exposure and an 8.7% yield, RQI remains a compelling buy at an 8% discount to NAV.

2. CCD – Yield 9%

   
   

Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund (CCD) offers investors a unique way to benefit from the rapidly growing convertible debt market. With roughly 80% of its portfolio invested in convertible securities, CCD provides exposure to an asset class that combines the income characteristics of bonds with the upside potential of equities. As companies increasingly favor convertibles over traditional debt or equity issuance, issuance activity has surged in 2026, creating a favorable backdrop for the fund.

Since its launch in 2015, CCD has delivered strong NAV preservation while maintaining an attractive monthly distribution, currently yielding 9%. The portfolio is heavily invested in sectors leading convertible issuance, including technology, industrials, and healthcare. Trading at par with NAV, CCD provides an attractive entry point for investors seeking high monthly income while participating in the long-term growth potential of convertible securities through an experienced active manager.

Conclusion

Markets will always fluctuate, but quality income investments continue to generate cash flow through every market environment. By focusing on sustainable income, prudent diversification, and attractive valuations, investors can put the odds of long-term success firmly in their favor. This is the essence of our Income Method, and the power of income investing. 

Join the Largest Community of Income Investors on Seeking Alpha and Save 25% on Your First-Year Membership.