S&P 500 Index (^GSPC +0.42%) Today there is a measly 1% yield. Novo Nordisk (NVO +1.25%) Is offering 3.5% yield. realty income‘S (O +0.30%) The yield is 5%. And Enterprise Product Partners‘ (EPD 0.05%) The yield is even higher at 5.9%. Here’s why you’ll find each of these high-yield stocks attractive as the second half of 2026 begins.
Novo Nordisk is betting on volume
Novo Nordisk’s trailing 12-month dividend payout ratio is a solid 40%. This is important as the drugmaker is currently facing some headwinds. Or, more importantly, its business is in transition. It was the first to come to market A GLP-1 Weight Loss ShotBut he soon lost his lead Eli Lilly (L.L.Y. 2.30%). That said, it has beaten Eli Lilly to market with the GLP-1 pill, and its pill appears to perform better than Eli Lilly’s pill.
Image Source: Getty Images.
This development gives Novo Nordisk an opportunity to regain market share in this hot drug sector. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy GLP-1 pill has been dramatically faster to take than its shot, so early signs are good. The only problem is that prices are falling, which is impacting revenues and earnings.
today’s change
(1.25%) $0.61
current price
$49.49
key data points
market cap
day limit
$48.73 -$49.63
52wk range
$35.12 -$71.80
volume
296.1K
average volume
14.6m
gross margin
81.84%
dividend yield
3.64%
However, low prices are actually part of the plan. The company believes that volume will outweigh the low price as more people take GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. And given how widespread weight issues are, there’s likely plenty of room for more than one player in the market. Buying Novo Nordisk, while it is undervalued and yields a historically high 3.5%, could be a wise move in the second half for contrarian types.
Realty Income is built to pay reliable dividends
Realty Income is the largest net lease real estate investment trust (REIT), with over 15,500 properties. A net lease requires the tenant to pay the majority of property-level operating costs, reducing the landlord’s costs and risks. But that’s not the only positive: REITs’ large portfolios provide significant diversification. It owns properties throughout North America and Europe and invests in retail and industrial properties as well as other outright property types such as casinos and data centers.
Realty Income has long been conservatively run, as evidenced by its 31-year series of annual dividend increases and investment-grade credit ratings. The downside is that it is a very large company, so growth is likely to be slow. However, with a high dividend yield of 5%, high income investors Maybe you won’t mind. It’s a tortoise, but it could provide a solid foundation for your dividend portfolio in the back half of 2026.
today’s change
(0.30%) $0.19
current price
$63.36
key data points
market cap
day limit
$62.79 -$63.69
52wk range
$55.86 -$67.94
volume
148.8K
average volume
6
gross margin
49.68%
dividend yield
5.12%
Enterprise Products Partners is a toll taker
Given the impact of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East on energy prices, it may seem odd to suggest an energy stock as a reliable dividend payer. But oil prices have always been volatile, and Enterprise Products Partners, one of North America’s largest midstream businesses, has not taken notice. In fact, its distribution has increased annually since it went public nearly 27 years ago.
The main thing is that it Master Limited Partnership (MLP) Owns the energy infrastructure and charges energy companies to use it. It’s a toll-taking model, and the volume moving through enterprise systems is more important than oil prices. Notably, the MLP’s distributable cash flow covers its distribution by a very comfortable 1.7x. The risk of delivery cuts is quite low.
Enterprise Product Partners
today’s change
(-0.05%) $-0.02
current price
$37.27
key data points
market cap
day limit
$36.88 -$37.42
52wk range
$30.01 -$40.16
volume
2.1m
average volume
3.9M
gross margin
13.45%
dividend yield
5.88%
In fact, the conflict in the Middle East may actually help the enterprise in the long term. Countries and companies may rethink energy security and turn to areas with more economic and political stability, such as North America. This 5.9% yield may be more attractive than you think, even if oil prices fall from their highs as the second half begins.
Three High-Yield Stocks to Watch Right Now
Novo Nordisk will likely interest investors who like to buy out-of-favor stocks. Realty Income will appeal to conservative income investors. And if you’re looking for income and don’t want to take commodity risk then Enterprise is a solid energy stock. As we move into the second half of 2026, it’s worth taking a deeper look at all three.