Strategies to Enhance Tax Efficiency for Investors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 15 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Tax Efficiency Improvement: According to Bank of America, a tax-aware portfolio achieved a 7.4% annualized return over 30 years, compared to 5.9% for a tax-insensitive portfolio, highlighting the significant impact of tax management on long-term returns.
- Buybacks Over Dividends: Investors should prefer stock buybacks over dividends since buybacks are not taxable events, while dividends incur taxes ranging from 0% to 20%, although companies may reduce buybacks due to other capital commitments.
- Municipal Bond Advantages: Municipal bonds provide federal tax-exempt income, and residents of the issuing state can enjoy additional state and local tax exemptions, with tax-equivalent yields potentially exceeding Treasuries by 70 basis points, making them suitable for high-tax investors.
- Direct MLP Ownership: Master limited partnerships (MLPs) offer attractive yields but should be owned directly to avoid extra tax burdens, as distributions are treated as a return of capital, increasing investors' cost basis; recommended high-rated MLPs include DT Midstream, Energy Transfer, and Enterprise Products Partners.
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Analyst Views on EPD
Wall Street analysts forecast EPD stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 36.750
Low
33.00
Averages
35.17
High
38.00
Current: 36.750
Low
33.00
Averages
35.17
High
38.00
About EPD
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is a provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Its NGL Pipelines & Services segment includes natural gas processing and related NGL marketing activities, NGL pipelines, NGL fractionation facilities, NGL and related product storage facilities and NGL marine terminals. Its Crude Oil Pipelines & Services segment includes crude oil pipelines, crude oil storage and marine terminals and related crude oil marketing activities. Its Natural Gas Pipelines & Services segment includes natural gas pipeline systems that provide for the gathering, treating and transportation of natural gas. Its Petrochemical & Refined Products Services segment includes propylene production facilities; butane isomerization complex and related deisobutanizer (DIB) operations; octane enhancement, iBDH and HPIB production facilities; refined products pipelines, and others.
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 Price Volatility: Oil and gas prices surged due to geopolitical conflict in the Middle East but have since returned to pre-conflict levels, highlighting the volatility and critical importance of energy markets.
- Chevron's Investment Appeal: With a market cap of $337 billion, Chevron stands out as one of the largest energy companies globally, boasting a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25 and a dividend yield of 4.2%, making it a solid choice for investors in the energy sector.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Strength: As one of North America's largest midstream operators, Enterprise Products Partners has a market cap of $80 billion and offers a reliable 6% dividend yield, making it an attractive option for conservative income investors seeking stability.
- Market Sentiment vs. Fundamentals: Despite fluctuating oil prices, Chevron and other major energy firms caution that current prices do not reflect industry fundamentals, suggesting that oil prices may rise again when investor sentiment stabilizes, indicating that now could be an opportune time to invest in Chevron.
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- Energy Price Fluctuations: Oil and gas prices surged due to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East but have since returned to pre-conflict levels, highlighting the volatility of the energy market, which investors should monitor to seize investment opportunities.
- Chevron's Investment Appeal: As one of the world's largest energy companies, Chevron boasts a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25 and an attractive dividend yield of 4.2%, making it an ideal choice for investors seeking stable income, although its business remains susceptible to oil price fluctuations.
- Stability of Enterprise Products Partners: As one of North America's largest midstream operators, Enterprise Products Partners generates reliable cash flows through fee-based revenue, currently offering a 6% dividend yield that has increased annually since its public debut, appealing to investors averse to commodity risk.
- Market Sentiment vs. Industry Fundamentals: Chevron and other major energy firms caution that oil prices do not accurately reflect current industry fundamentals, suggesting that prices may rise again as investor emotions stabilize, indicating that now could be a good time to consider buying Chevron.
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- Stability of Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), one of the largest midstream energy companies in the U.S., boasts a 29-year streak of consecutive dividend growth, with a current forward dividend yield of approximately 6%, ensuring sustainable cash flow and distribution payments through steady infrastructure usage fees.
- Dividend Growth and Market Performance: EPD has averaged 3% to 4% annual distribution growth over the past decade, and despite market fluctuations, management remains focused on driving growth through investments in new projects and acquisitions of existing infrastructure, securing future share price appreciation potential.
- Verizon's Transformation Potential: Verizon (VZ) has achieved 22 years of consecutive dividend growth, with a current yield of about 6.75%; despite challenges from its removal from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the company is successfully cutting costs and attracting new customers, with EPS expected to rise 5% in 2026.
- Earnings Growth Outlook: Analysts project Verizon's EPS to reach $5.27 in 2027; while mid-single-digit growth may seem modest, if the company can maintain steady profit growth, the stock could rise in line with earnings growth, potentially achieving a higher forward multiple.
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- Stable Returns from EPD: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has raised dividends for 29 consecutive years, currently offering a forward yield of approximately 6%, ensuring long-term returns for investors through steady cash flow and fixed fee income, showcasing its strong competitive position in the midstream energy market.
- Transformation Potential in Telecom: Despite Verizon's recent stock decline due to its removal from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, its 22 years of consecutive dividend growth and a high yield of about 6.75% indicate potential for stock recovery as cost-cutting and customer acquisition strategies succeed.
- Earnings Growth Outlook: Analysts project Verizon's earnings per share to rise by 5% to $4.95 in 2026 and nearly 6.5% to $5.27 in 2027; while these growth rates may seem modest, consistent profit growth could lead to stock price increases, enhancing investment appeal.
- Market Competition and Investment Risks: While Enterprise Products Partners excels in the midstream market, investors should be aware of the tax implications of its MLP structure, and Verizon faces competitive pressures from satellite telecom services, necessitating careful evaluation of its long-term investment value.
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- Nike's Dividend Appeal: Despite Nike's (NKE) stock price plummeting over 75% from its highs, its dividend yield has risen to 3.8%, making current investments highly attractive, especially given the company's history of increasing dividends for 24 consecutive years, indicating long-term stability.
- Verizon's Robust Returns: Verizon Communications (VZ) offers a dividend yield of 6.6%, and its payout ratio of 67.4% indicates ample net income to support ongoing dividend growth, allowing investors to expect stable returns over the long term.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Advantages: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) provides a 6% dividend yield, with an 80.9% payout ratio and a special tax structure designed to maximize shareholder payouts, making it an ideal choice for long-term dividend investors, although MLP ownership may require additional tax paperwork in non-tax-advantaged accounts.
- Safe Choices for Dividend Investing: These three stocks not only offer substantial dividend yields but also demonstrate strong financial health, with Nike holding over $8 billion in cash reserves, while Verizon and Enterprise's stable earnings make them safe investment choices in the current market environment.
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- Executive Retirement Plan: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) announced that co-CEO Jim Teague plans to retire effective January 4, with co-CEO Randy Fowler set to assume his responsibilities, marking a significant leadership transition for the company.
- Leadership Background: Teague and Fowler have served as co-CEOs since January 2020 and joined the company in 1999, with both having been directors of Enterprise GP since 2010 and 2011, respectively, bringing extensive management experience to their roles.
- Management Structure Adjustment: Following Teague's retirement, the general partner of Enterprise Products will expand the Office of the Chairman, which serves as a liaison between the general partner and senior management, aiming to enhance management efficiency and decision-making transparency.
- New Board Members: The Office of the Chairman will include Randa Duncan, Richard Bachmann, Randy Fowler, Michael
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