62-Year-Old Living Off Dividends Shares His Top 6 Stock Picks, Says His 'Life Is Great, Blessed With Dividends'
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 04 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Dividend Investing Trends: In 2025, dividend investing is becoming popular due to market uncertainties, with research indicating that dividend stocks historically yield higher returns and lower volatility compared to the S&P 500.
Investor Experiences on Reddit: A Redditor shared their success living off dividends from a diversified portfolio, emphasizing the importance of paying off debts and investing in quality dividend stocks across various sectors.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ET?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ET
Wall Street analysts forecast ET stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 18.760
Low
17.00
Averages
20.65
High
23.00
Current: 18.760
Low
17.00
Averages
20.65
High
23.00
About ET
Energy Transfer LP owns and operates a diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with more than 140,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure. The Company’s strategic network spans 44 states with assets in all of the major United States production basins. Its core operations include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; and NGL fractionation. The Company’s segments include intrastate transportation and storage, interstate transportation and storage, midstream, NGL and refined products transportation and services, crude oil transportation and services, investment in Sunoco LP, investment in USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC), and all other. It also owns Lake Charles LNG Company, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, which owns an LNG import terminal and regasification facility.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Energy Stocks Surge, Attracting Investors Amid Rising Commodity Prices
- Energy Sector Performance: As of June 8, the S&P 500 Energy sector surged 40% due to rising crude oil and natural gas prices, significantly outperforming the 22.9% increase in the S&P 500 ex-Energy, highlighting the sector's robust recovery and investment appeal.
- Energy Transfer Company: Energy Transfer (ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating strong performance in its stable transportation business, complemented by an attractive 7.2% dividend yield, far exceeding the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) experienced a 6.7% year-over-year revenue decline to $14.4 billion, yet its adjusted EBITDA grew by 10%, demonstrating resilience amid market fluctuations, while offering a 5.9% dividend yield that appeals to long-term investors.
- Investment Outlook: Both companies are investing in pipeline and processing capacity expansions, expected to enhance future revenue and profitability, and they both have a history of stable dividend payments, increasing their attractiveness as long-term investments.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector
- Rising Energy Prices: The energy sector has performed strongly in 2023, with the S&P 500 Energy sector gaining 40% through June 8, significantly outpacing the 22.9% increase in the S&P 500 ex-Energy, reflecting investor confidence in the sector amid rising crude oil and natural gas prices.
- Energy Transfer Performance: Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating a robust business model in energy transportation and storage, although its stock price appreciation lagged behind the overall energy sector.
- Enterprise Products Partners Dynamics: Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) experienced a 6.7% year-over-year revenue decline to $14.4 billion, yet adjusted EBITDA grew by 10%, showcasing resilience in a cyclical market, while the company continues to invest in processing capacity and pipeline expansion projects expected to enhance future revenue and profitability.
- Dividend Attractiveness: Energy Transfer offers a dividend yield of 7.2%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%, while Enterprise Products Partners boasts a 5.9% yield, demonstrating both companies' strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders, making them appealing to long-term investors.
See More
Oil Price Fluctuations Impact Energy Stocks Performance
- Oil Price Volatility: Brent crude surged to $119.50 per barrel in March due to the outbreak of the Iran war, causing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, but has since retreated to around $87, highlighting the fragility of the Middle East situation.
- Midstream Investment Opportunities: While upstream companies like Occidental Petroleum are affected by falling oil prices, midstream firms such as Energy Transfer and Enbridge remain solid investment choices as they transport oil and gas through pipelines, charging 'tolls' that ensure stable cash flow amid price fluctuations.
- Chevron's Long-Term Growth Potential: As one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, Chevron operates in 180 countries and expects its oil and gas production to grow by 2%-3% annually through 2030, driven by expansions in Kazakhstan and new projects, showcasing resilience amid oil price volatility.
- Attractive Dividend Growth: Chevron has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years, and if it maintains this for 50 years, it will become a Dividend King, with a current forward yield of 3.8%, making it appealing to investors, especially during periods of oil price instability.
See More
Energy Transfer and Enbridge's Steady Profits Amid Oil Price Volatility
- Stable Revenue Model: Energy Transfer and Enbridge ensure steady cash flow by charging 'tolls' for their infrastructure, with Energy Transfer operating over 140,000 miles of pipelines in the U.S. and Enbridge managing 70,000 miles in North America, allowing both companies to maintain profitability amid oil price fluctuations.
- High Dividend Yields: Energy Transfer, structured as a master limited partnership, offers a forward distribution yield of 7%, while Enbridge, as a standard Canadian corporation, provides a 5.1% forward dividend yield, enabling investors to achieve stable returns without significant exposure to oil price volatility.
- Diversified Business Advantage: Chevron, as one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, operates upstream, midstream, and downstream businesses, expecting a 2%-3% annual increase in oil and gas production through 2030, driven by expansion in its Tengiz Field in Kazakhstan and other new projects, enhancing its resilience in the market.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Analysts project Chevron's EPS to grow at a 24% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, with its stock priced at just 12 times this year's earnings, indicating strong long-term investment appeal despite potential short-term impacts from oil price volatility.
See More
Jefferies Upgrades Energy Transfer LP Unit Rating and Price Target
- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Energy Transfer LP Unit (ET) stock rating from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $21 to $23, reflecting the company's ongoing success in the natural gas sector and improvements in its liquids business.
- Record Exports: In Q1 2026, Energy Transfer's natural gas liquids (NGL) exports surged 19%, setting a new record for the company, while NGL transportation volumes also increased by 12%, showcasing strong performance in liquid transportation.
- Fundamental Improvement: Jefferies noted that Energy Transfer's fundamentals have significantly improved compared to when the firm first initiated coverage, driven by strong U.S. production trends and rising Permian gas-oil ratios, which further bolstered investor confidence.
- Attractive Valuation: Supported by robust fundamentals, Jefferies believes Energy Transfer's valuation is discounted, prompting the upgrade of its stock rating, indicating a positive outlook from the market regarding the company's future prospects.
See More
Energy Transfer CEO Transition Announcement
- Executive Retirement Plan: Energy Transfer announced that Mackie McCrea will retire by December 31, 2026, marking a significant leadership change that is expected to impact the company's strategic direction and operational model.
- CEO Transition Arrangement: Following McCrea's retirement, current co-CEO Thomas Long will become the sole CEO, a change that may influence investor confidence in the company's future development.
- Personal Goals and Family Time: McCrea cited his desire to pursue personal objectives and spend more time with family as reasons for his retirement, reflecting the life choices of executives in the later stages of their careers, which could affect company culture and employee morale.
- Accumulated Leadership Experience: Having been with Energy Transfer since 1997, McCrea held various leadership roles, including President and COO, and his extensive experience has laid a foundation for the company's growth, while future leadership changes will test the company's ability to sustain growth.
See More
Energy Stocks Surge, Attracting Investors Amid Rising Commodity Prices
- Energy Sector Performance: As of June 8, the S&P 500 Energy sector surged 40% due to rising crude oil and natural gas prices, significantly outperforming the 22.9% increase in the S&P 500 ex-Energy, highlighting the sector's robust recovery and investment appeal.
- Energy Transfer Company: Energy Transfer (ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating strong performance in its stable transportation business, complemented by an attractive 7.2% dividend yield, far exceeding the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) experienced a 6.7% year-over-year revenue decline to $14.4 billion, yet its adjusted EBITDA grew by 10%, demonstrating resilience amid market fluctuations, while offering a 5.9% dividend yield that appeals to long-term investors.
- Investment Outlook: Both companies are investing in pipeline and processing capacity expansions, expected to enhance future revenue and profitability, and they both have a history of stable dividend payments, increasing their attractiveness as long-term investments.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector
- Rising Energy Prices: The energy sector has performed strongly in 2023, with the S&P 500 Energy sector gaining 40% through June 8, significantly outpacing the 22.9% increase in the S&P 500 ex-Energy, reflecting investor confidence in the sector amid rising crude oil and natural gas prices.
- Energy Transfer Performance: Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating a robust business model in energy transportation and storage, although its stock price appreciation lagged behind the overall energy sector.
- Enterprise Products Partners Dynamics: Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) experienced a 6.7% year-over-year revenue decline to $14.4 billion, yet adjusted EBITDA grew by 10%, showcasing resilience in a cyclical market, while the company continues to invest in processing capacity and pipeline expansion projects expected to enhance future revenue and profitability.
- Dividend Attractiveness: Energy Transfer offers a dividend yield of 7.2%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%, while Enterprise Products Partners boasts a 5.9% yield, demonstrating both companies' strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders, making them appealing to long-term investors.
See More
Oil Price Fluctuations Impact Energy Stocks Performance
- Oil Price Volatility: Brent crude surged to $119.50 per barrel in March due to the outbreak of the Iran war, causing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, but has since retreated to around $87, highlighting the fragility of the Middle East situation.
- Midstream Investment Opportunities: While upstream companies like Occidental Petroleum are affected by falling oil prices, midstream firms such as Energy Transfer and Enbridge remain solid investment choices as they transport oil and gas through pipelines, charging 'tolls' that ensure stable cash flow amid price fluctuations.
- Chevron's Long-Term Growth Potential: As one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, Chevron operates in 180 countries and expects its oil and gas production to grow by 2%-3% annually through 2030, driven by expansions in Kazakhstan and new projects, showcasing resilience amid oil price volatility.
- Attractive Dividend Growth: Chevron has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years, and if it maintains this for 50 years, it will become a Dividend King, with a current forward yield of 3.8%, making it appealing to investors, especially during periods of oil price instability.
See More
Energy Transfer and Enbridge's Steady Profits Amid Oil Price Volatility
- Stable Revenue Model: Energy Transfer and Enbridge ensure steady cash flow by charging 'tolls' for their infrastructure, with Energy Transfer operating over 140,000 miles of pipelines in the U.S. and Enbridge managing 70,000 miles in North America, allowing both companies to maintain profitability amid oil price fluctuations.
- High Dividend Yields: Energy Transfer, structured as a master limited partnership, offers a forward distribution yield of 7%, while Enbridge, as a standard Canadian corporation, provides a 5.1% forward dividend yield, enabling investors to achieve stable returns without significant exposure to oil price volatility.
- Diversified Business Advantage: Chevron, as one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, operates upstream, midstream, and downstream businesses, expecting a 2%-3% annual increase in oil and gas production through 2030, driven by expansion in its Tengiz Field in Kazakhstan and other new projects, enhancing its resilience in the market.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Analysts project Chevron's EPS to grow at a 24% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, with its stock priced at just 12 times this year's earnings, indicating strong long-term investment appeal despite potential short-term impacts from oil price volatility.
See More
Jefferies Upgrades Energy Transfer LP Unit Rating and Price Target
- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Energy Transfer LP Unit (ET) stock rating from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $21 to $23, reflecting the company's ongoing success in the natural gas sector and improvements in its liquids business.
- Record Exports: In Q1 2026, Energy Transfer's natural gas liquids (NGL) exports surged 19%, setting a new record for the company, while NGL transportation volumes also increased by 12%, showcasing strong performance in liquid transportation.
- Fundamental Improvement: Jefferies noted that Energy Transfer's fundamentals have significantly improved compared to when the firm first initiated coverage, driven by strong U.S. production trends and rising Permian gas-oil ratios, which further bolstered investor confidence.
- Attractive Valuation: Supported by robust fundamentals, Jefferies believes Energy Transfer's valuation is discounted, prompting the upgrade of its stock rating, indicating a positive outlook from the market regarding the company's future prospects.
See More
Energy Transfer CEO Transition Announcement
- Executive Retirement Plan: Energy Transfer announced that Mackie McCrea will retire by December 31, 2026, marking a significant leadership change that is expected to impact the company's strategic direction and operational model.
- CEO Transition Arrangement: Following McCrea's retirement, current co-CEO Thomas Long will become the sole CEO, a change that may influence investor confidence in the company's future development.
- Personal Goals and Family Time: McCrea cited his desire to pursue personal objectives and spend more time with family as reasons for his retirement, reflecting the life choices of executives in the later stages of their careers, which could affect company culture and employee morale.
- Accumulated Leadership Experience: Having been with Energy Transfer since 1997, McCrea held various leadership roles, including President and COO, and his extensive experience has laid a foundation for the company's growth, while future leadership changes will test the company's ability to sustain growth.
See More
