Engine Manufacturer Bridges the Gap Between Diesel Autos and Sustainable Solutions

Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2-times-weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing.

Today, we will look into BlackRock, FedEx, and PepsiCo, highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

Trading Methods (Sponsored)

Bitcoin Skimming: A Game-Changer for Investors

Bitcoin’s ups and downs have made and lost fortunes. But what if there was a way to outperform BTC—without ever buying it?

Hedge fund titan Larry Benedict has revealed a new approach called "Bitcoin Skimming," a strategy that has outpaced Bitcoin’s returns by as much as 22-to-1.

With the SEC’s latest decision set to shake up crypto markets, now is the perfect time to discover how this works.

Click here to see the full details before this opportunity disappears.

Asset Management

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Hits Record Stability, Pulls $49B in Flows

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) is seeing strong interest in its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which has just reached its calmest stretch since its launch in January 2024. The price of the fund has been moving less than usual over the past 90 days, making it more attractive to investors who prefer lower risk.

IBIT has raised $49 billion so far—four times more than the next closest bitcoin ETF from Fidelity, which has brought in less than $12 billion. That huge difference shows that many investors are choosing BlackRock’s fund as a safer way to invest in Bitcoin.

For investors, bitcoin is starting to look more like a long-term investment rather than a gamble. Because IBIT’s price isn’t fluctuating as much, it’s attracting more cautious investors, such as pension funds and large institutions.

As more careful investors join, the fund becomes even more stable. That calm, steady pace continues to attract more buyers of the same kind, creating a strong cycle of growth and trust.

IBIT’s rise shows how BlackRock is helping make Bitcoin feel more like a normal part of the financial world, not just a tech trend.

BLK currently trades at $972 and pays a dividend of $20.84 per share, a yield of 2.15%.

Logistics

Half a Facility Faces Layoffs as FedEx Reshuffles Fort Worth Operations

FedEx (NYSE: FDX) will lay off over 300 employees at its Fort Worth logistics facility as part of a restructuring move tied to a shift in third-party logistics providers. The company confirmed that 305 out of 580 workers at the Independence Parkway location, known as FedEx South, will lose their jobs beginning July 6.

Company officials say the move results from the current site operator relocating and switching to a new contract. FedEx clarified that it is working to support affected employees with job placement help, severance packages, and potential relocation opportunities.

This shift signals ongoing pressure on FedEx to streamline operations amid rising competition and cost concerns. By relying on third-party providers and consolidating logistics roles, FedEx could improve efficiency, but risks losing experienced labor and attracting scrutiny over its workforce practices.

Roughly 52% of the site’s staff are affected. The layoffs will roll out through October 25. Though FedEx North, a neighboring facility, isn’t part of this round, it also experienced job cuts in 2023.

FedEx faces competition in the same industrial zone from Amazon, UPS, and DHL, all of which operate nearby centers. Investors will now be watching to see whether more cost-cutting measures or site consolidations are implemented across FedEx’s national logistics network.

FDX currently trades at $218 and pays a dividend of $5.52 per share, a yield of 2.54%.

Radical Vision (Sponsored)

Elon’s Boldest Move Yet

Every investor in America is trying to figure out what Musk will do in Washington, D.C., in the coming weeks.

One Boston-based think tank – who has studied Elon’s work for decades – is stepping forward to share what they’ve found.

They believe his TRUE plan is far more radical than anyone realizes. It could change the way you live, work, get paid, and collect Social Security…

...AND could make more people rich than all of Elon's previous ventures – PUT TOGETHER.

Full story here.

Consumer Goods

PepsiCo Adjusts Packaging Pledge as Reality Hits Ambition

PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is lowering several of its major plastic reduction goals, including phasing out its previous commitment to reusable packaging. The company says it wants to focus on targets that are more “actionable” and better aligned with current business conditions.

The original goal aimed to cut virgin plastic by 20% across beverages and snacks by 2030. That has now been replaced with a smaller 2% yearly reduction target. PepsiCo will also no longer measure plastic usage per serving and is dropping its plan to reach 100% recyclable, reusable, biodegradable, or compostable packaging. Instead, it aims for 97% by 2030—and skips biodegradable altogether.

For investors, this shift signals a recalibration of expectations. The company appears to be prioritizing operational feasibility and business growth over aggressive sustainability timelines. That may reduce regulatory or reputational risks in the short term, but could also weaken long-term ESG positioning.

PepsiCo says these changes reflect global challenges, such as limited infrastructure and new packaging rules in markets like India and China.

Coca-Cola made a similar move in 2024, scaling back its own plastic reduction goals. For shareholders closely watching ESG commitments, PepsiCo’s revised strategy could represent a more cautious but potentially controversial approach to environmental responsibility.

PEP currently trades at $132 and pays a dividend of $5.69 per share, a yield of 4.31%.

LOW increased its dividend payout to $1.20 per share, a 4.3% rise. Its new forward yield is 2.13%.

EOG expanded its dividend payout to $1.02 per share, a 4.6% increase. Its new forward yield is 3.71%. 

DCI improved its dividend payout to 30 cents per share, an increase of 11.1%. Its new forward yield is 1.73%. 

GMRE lowered its dividend payout to 15 cents per share, a cut of 28.6%. Its new dividend yield is 9.52%.

IMOS reduced its dividend payout to 80 cents per share, a cut of 26.6%. Its new dividend yield is 4.27%.

AU decreased its dividend payout to 12.5 cents per share, a cut of 81.8%. Its new dividend yield is 1.14%.

Tech Titans & Politics (Sponsored)

Elon Strikes Back

You may already sense that the tide is turning against Elon Musk and DOGE.

Just this week, President Trump promised to buy a Tesla to help support Musk in the face of a boycott against his company.

But according to one research group, with connections to the Pentagon and the U.S. government, Elon's preparing to strike back in a much bigger way in the days ahead.

Full story here...

Everything Else

• OPEC+ is planning another production increase in July, putting further pressure on energy dividend stocks. 

• Target’s troubles are continuing as it faces increased competition and waning consumer interest.

• Steel and aluminum tariffs may soon double, putting industrial dividend stocks at risk of margin crunches.

• Brewers are looking to expand offerings to include THC beverages, which could serve to reinvigorate a slackening craft beer market. 

• Corporate tax breaks may be a saving grace for these corporate entities after a rough start to 2025.