The Truth About Investment Yields and Retirement Savings
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 hours ago
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Yield Target Analysis: Generating $4,800 annually from a $40,000 investment requires a 12% blended yield, which is nearly double the current payouts from Altria, Verizon, and Main Street Capital, highlighting the risks and challenges of chasing high yields.
- Portfolio Earnings: Dividing the $40,000 into three parts of approximately $13,333 each for investment in Altria, Verizon, and Main Street Capital yields an estimated annual income of about $2,700, with a blended yield close to 7%, significantly below the ideal target, reflecting a common misunderstanding about high yields in the market.
- Tax Implications: Dividends from Altria and Verizon are qualified and taxed at long-term capital gains rates, while most distributions from Main Street Capital are ordinary income taxed at marginal rates, suggesting that holding BDCs is more tax-efficient in IRA or Roth accounts.
- Long-Term Investment Strategy: It is advisable to set realistic yield expectations, with 6% to 7% being more achievable, and to reinvest distributions during the accumulation phase, only switching to cash payouts when income is actually needed, which can significantly enhance the final balance for retirement savings.
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Analyst Views on MO
Wall Street analysts forecast MO stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 71.970
Low
57.00
Averages
65.00
High
72.00
Current: 71.970
Low
57.00
Averages
65.00
High
72.00
About MO
Altria Group, Inc. operates a portfolio of tobacco products for United States tobacco consumers aged 21+. Its segments include smokeable products and oral tobacco products. The smokeable products segment consists of combustible cigarettes and machine-made large cigars. The oral tobacco products segment includes moist smokeless tobacco (MST) products and oral nicotine pouches. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include manufacturers of both combustible and smoke-free products. In combustibles, it owns Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), and John Middleton Co. (Middleton), which are cigarette manufacturers. Its smoke-free portfolio includes ownership of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC), a global MST manufacturer, Helix Innovations LLC (Helix), a manufacturer of oral nicotine pouches, and NJOY, LLC (NJOY), an e-vapor manufacturer with a commercialized product portfolio. The brand portfolios of its operating companies include Marlboro, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Skoal, on! and NJOY.
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.
The Truth About Investment Yields and Retirement Savings
- Yield Target Analysis: Generating $4,800 annually from a $40,000 investment requires a 12% blended yield, which is nearly double the current payouts from Altria, Verizon, and Main Street Capital, highlighting the risks and challenges of chasing high yields.
- Portfolio Earnings: Dividing the $40,000 into three parts of approximately $13,333 each for investment in Altria, Verizon, and Main Street Capital yields an estimated annual income of about $2,700, with a blended yield close to 7%, significantly below the ideal target, reflecting a common misunderstanding about high yields in the market.
- Tax Implications: Dividends from Altria and Verizon are qualified and taxed at long-term capital gains rates, while most distributions from Main Street Capital are ordinary income taxed at marginal rates, suggesting that holding BDCs is more tax-efficient in IRA or Roth accounts.
- Long-Term Investment Strategy: It is advisable to set realistic yield expectations, with 6% to 7% being more achievable, and to reinvest distributions during the accumulation phase, only switching to cash payouts when income is actually needed, which can significantly enhance the final balance for retirement savings.
See More
Top ETFs for Down Markets: Consistent Outperformance
- FDL Outperformance: The First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL) gained approximately 3% during the 2022 bear market when the S&P 500 fell by 19%, demonstrating its ability to withstand market downturns effectively.
- Year-to-Date Returns: As of March 30, FDL rose about 15% while the S&P 500 dropped 7.3% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 10.5%, showcasing its strong resilience and attractiveness to investors in turbulent times.
- DHS Stable Returns: The WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend ETF (DHS) returned about 4% in 2022, significantly outperforming both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, highlighting its stability during market corrections.
- Long-Term Performance: Currently, DHS has a year-to-date return of approximately 12% and around 24% over the past 12 months, with annualized returns of 11% and 10% over the past five and ten years, respectively, further validating its effectiveness as a diversification tool in investment portfolios.
See More
ETFs Show Strong Performance Amid Market Volatility
- Strong Market Performance: The First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF achieved approximately 3% positive returns during the 2022 bear market while the S&P 500 fell by 19%, demonstrating its resilience in downturns and boosting investor confidence.
- Sustained Earnings Growth: As of March 30, 2023, this ETF rose about 15% while the S&P 500 dropped 7.3%, indicating its ability to maintain strong performance amid market volatility, further solidifying its role as a diversification tool in investment portfolios.
- High Dividend ETF Performance: The WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend ETF returned about 4% in 2022 and increased approximately 7% year-to-date in 2023, outperforming major market indices, showcasing its stability and appeal during economic uncertainty.
- Long-Term Return Advantage: Both ETFs have achieved annualized returns of 11% and 12.5% over the past five and ten years, respectively, providing investors with consistent long-term gains and emphasizing their significance in diversified investment strategies.
See More
Investment Opportunities in Walmart, Realty Income, and Philip Morris Amid Market Volatility
- Walmart's Resilience: As the world's largest retailer with over 10,800 stores, Walmart has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years, and despite a current yield of 0.8%, its stock has soared 155% over the past five years, demonstrating its resilience and long-term investment value amid economic fluctuations.
- Stability of Realty Income: Realty Income owns over 15,500 commercial properties leased to recession-resistant businesses, achieving a 98.9% occupancy rate in 2025, and has raised its dividend 134 times since its IPO, currently offering a 5.2% yield, showcasing its appeal and stable cash flow as a REIT.
- Philip Morris's Transformation: As one of the largest tobacco companies, Philip Morris saw a 14% growth in smoke-free revenue in 2025, accounting for 43% of total revenue, with projected CAGR of 7% and 10% for revenue and EPS respectively over the next three years, indicating its potential in the tobacco industry's transformation.
- Investment Opportunities in Market Crashes: In the event of a market crash, Walmart, Realty Income, and Philip Morris stocks may present more attractive valuations, allowing investors to capitalize on these opportunities to increase their holdings and potentially achieve higher returns during economic recovery.
See More
Three Consumer Stocks Worth Holding Forever
- Costco's Competitive Edge: Costco (COST) leverages its membership warehouse model to attract high-income consumers, achieving significant sales growth and shareholder returns with a market cap of approximately $456 billion and a dividend yield of 0.52%, despite fierce competition.
- Philip Morris's Transformation: While cigarette use declines, Philip Morris (PM) has successfully transitioned to a leader in alternative nicotine products, with a market cap of $295 billion and a dividend yield of 3.05%, as alternative product sales accounted for 41.5% of total net sales in 2025, showcasing strong future growth potential.
- Coca-Cola's Brand Power: Coca-Cola (KO), with a market cap of $351 billion and a dividend yield of 2.53%, continues to achieve organic growth through its vast distribution network and diverse beverage portfolio, with a legendary record of 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, making it a safe choice for investors.
- Stability in Consumer Goods: These three companies demonstrate strong market positions and stable dividend-paying capabilities in the consumer goods sector, reflecting the importance of consumer spending in the U.S. economy, and long-term holding is likely to yield substantial returns for investors.
See More
Altria Surprises with Strong Quarterly Growth
- Sales Growth Highlight: Altria's recent quarterly sales increased by 5% year-over-year to $4.1 billion, marking the best growth rate the company has achieved in years, despite a 16% decline from nearly $4.9 billion five years ago, indicating a slight recovery in a shrinking tobacco market.
- Oral Tobacco Product Performance: The net revenue from oral tobacco products grew from $626 million in Q1 2021 to $669 million, reflecting a modest increase of under 7%, which underscores the challenges the company faces during its transition, as this segment still represents a small fraction of overall business.
- Stock Price Surge Reasons: Despite uncertainties regarding long-term growth, Altria's stock has performed well this year, driven by its low valuation (trading at about 13 times projected future earnings) and a 5.7% dividend yield, which has attracted some investor interest.
- Cautious Future Outlook: While the stock price is currently rising, analysts express caution regarding Altria's long-term prospects, suggesting that if the company fails to achieve sustained growth, there may be risks of dividend cuts, advising investors to remain vigilant when considering investments.
See More
The Truth About Investment Yields and Retirement Savings
- Yield Target Analysis: Generating $4,800 annually from a $40,000 investment requires a 12% blended yield, which is nearly double the current payouts from Altria, Verizon, and Main Street Capital, highlighting the risks and challenges of chasing high yields.
- Portfolio Earnings: Dividing the $40,000 into three parts of approximately $13,333 each for investment in Altria, Verizon, and Main Street Capital yields an estimated annual income of about $2,700, with a blended yield close to 7%, significantly below the ideal target, reflecting a common misunderstanding about high yields in the market.
- Tax Implications: Dividends from Altria and Verizon are qualified and taxed at long-term capital gains rates, while most distributions from Main Street Capital are ordinary income taxed at marginal rates, suggesting that holding BDCs is more tax-efficient in IRA or Roth accounts.
- Long-Term Investment Strategy: It is advisable to set realistic yield expectations, with 6% to 7% being more achievable, and to reinvest distributions during the accumulation phase, only switching to cash payouts when income is actually needed, which can significantly enhance the final balance for retirement savings.
See More
Top ETFs for Down Markets: Consistent Outperformance
- FDL Outperformance: The First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL) gained approximately 3% during the 2022 bear market when the S&P 500 fell by 19%, demonstrating its ability to withstand market downturns effectively.
- Year-to-Date Returns: As of March 30, FDL rose about 15% while the S&P 500 dropped 7.3% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 10.5%, showcasing its strong resilience and attractiveness to investors in turbulent times.
- DHS Stable Returns: The WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend ETF (DHS) returned about 4% in 2022, significantly outperforming both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, highlighting its stability during market corrections.
- Long-Term Performance: Currently, DHS has a year-to-date return of approximately 12% and around 24% over the past 12 months, with annualized returns of 11% and 10% over the past five and ten years, respectively, further validating its effectiveness as a diversification tool in investment portfolios.
See More
ETFs Show Strong Performance Amid Market Volatility
- Strong Market Performance: The First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF achieved approximately 3% positive returns during the 2022 bear market while the S&P 500 fell by 19%, demonstrating its resilience in downturns and boosting investor confidence.
- Sustained Earnings Growth: As of March 30, 2023, this ETF rose about 15% while the S&P 500 dropped 7.3%, indicating its ability to maintain strong performance amid market volatility, further solidifying its role as a diversification tool in investment portfolios.
- High Dividend ETF Performance: The WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend ETF returned about 4% in 2022 and increased approximately 7% year-to-date in 2023, outperforming major market indices, showcasing its stability and appeal during economic uncertainty.
- Long-Term Return Advantage: Both ETFs have achieved annualized returns of 11% and 12.5% over the past five and ten years, respectively, providing investors with consistent long-term gains and emphasizing their significance in diversified investment strategies.
See More
Investment Opportunities in Walmart, Realty Income, and Philip Morris Amid Market Volatility
- Walmart's Resilience: As the world's largest retailer with over 10,800 stores, Walmart has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years, and despite a current yield of 0.8%, its stock has soared 155% over the past five years, demonstrating its resilience and long-term investment value amid economic fluctuations.
- Stability of Realty Income: Realty Income owns over 15,500 commercial properties leased to recession-resistant businesses, achieving a 98.9% occupancy rate in 2025, and has raised its dividend 134 times since its IPO, currently offering a 5.2% yield, showcasing its appeal and stable cash flow as a REIT.
- Philip Morris's Transformation: As one of the largest tobacco companies, Philip Morris saw a 14% growth in smoke-free revenue in 2025, accounting for 43% of total revenue, with projected CAGR of 7% and 10% for revenue and EPS respectively over the next three years, indicating its potential in the tobacco industry's transformation.
- Investment Opportunities in Market Crashes: In the event of a market crash, Walmart, Realty Income, and Philip Morris stocks may present more attractive valuations, allowing investors to capitalize on these opportunities to increase their holdings and potentially achieve higher returns during economic recovery.
See More
Three Consumer Stocks Worth Holding Forever
- Costco's Competitive Edge: Costco (COST) leverages its membership warehouse model to attract high-income consumers, achieving significant sales growth and shareholder returns with a market cap of approximately $456 billion and a dividend yield of 0.52%, despite fierce competition.
- Philip Morris's Transformation: While cigarette use declines, Philip Morris (PM) has successfully transitioned to a leader in alternative nicotine products, with a market cap of $295 billion and a dividend yield of 3.05%, as alternative product sales accounted for 41.5% of total net sales in 2025, showcasing strong future growth potential.
- Coca-Cola's Brand Power: Coca-Cola (KO), with a market cap of $351 billion and a dividend yield of 2.53%, continues to achieve organic growth through its vast distribution network and diverse beverage portfolio, with a legendary record of 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, making it a safe choice for investors.
- Stability in Consumer Goods: These three companies demonstrate strong market positions and stable dividend-paying capabilities in the consumer goods sector, reflecting the importance of consumer spending in the U.S. economy, and long-term holding is likely to yield substantial returns for investors.
See More
Altria Surprises with Strong Quarterly Growth
- Sales Growth Highlight: Altria's recent quarterly sales increased by 5% year-over-year to $4.1 billion, marking the best growth rate the company has achieved in years, despite a 16% decline from nearly $4.9 billion five years ago, indicating a slight recovery in a shrinking tobacco market.
- Oral Tobacco Product Performance: The net revenue from oral tobacco products grew from $626 million in Q1 2021 to $669 million, reflecting a modest increase of under 7%, which underscores the challenges the company faces during its transition, as this segment still represents a small fraction of overall business.
- Stock Price Surge Reasons: Despite uncertainties regarding long-term growth, Altria's stock has performed well this year, driven by its low valuation (trading at about 13 times projected future earnings) and a 5.7% dividend yield, which has attracted some investor interest.
- Cautious Future Outlook: While the stock price is currently rising, analysts express caution regarding Altria's long-term prospects, suggesting that if the company fails to achieve sustained growth, there may be risks of dividend cuts, advising investors to remain vigilant when considering investments.
See More
