Industrial Powerhouse Yields a Steady Dividend Stream

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

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

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Asset Management

BlackRock Expands Real Estate Reach With $7.3B ElmTree Acquisition

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) is deepening its bet on income-generating real estate by acquiring ElmTree Funds, a net-lease specialist with $7.3 billion in assets under management.

The deal, which is paid primarily in stock with performance-based earnouts, is expected to strengthen BlackRock’s footprint in the commercial property market while enhancing its owner-operator capabilities.

ElmTree specializes in long-duration leases backed by investment-grade tenants, assets that offer stability during inflationary and rate-sensitive cycles.

The move gives BlackRock a direct line into this growing sub-sector at a time when institutions are seeking durable income streams and inflation protection.

Long-term holders of BlackRock may view this as more than just another acquisition.

The firm is pivoting from pure allocator to hybrid operator across alternative asset classes, compressing the distance between capital and yield.

Those weighing an entry into BlackRock should consider how this shift fits into broader portfolio evolution.

With the public REIT market under pressure, and traditional fixed income offering limited real return, this deal reinforces BlackRock’s pivot toward hard-asset-backed strategies that serve institutional flows and long-duration mandates.

BlackRock isn’t just growing AUM. It’s curating a more resilient income engine. That’s the real signal behind the ElmTree move.

BLK currently trades at $1,080 and pays a dividend of $20.84 per share, a yield of 1.93%.

Industrials

Dow Slashes European Operations in Bold $790M Overhaul

Dow Inc. (NYSE: DOW) is restructuring its European operations in a sweeping move aimed at boosting profitability and long-term competitiveness.

The board has approved a shutdown of three upstream assets, affecting approximately 800 roles, as part of a global asset review targeting underperforming regions.

The decision follows persistent challenges in Europe, where demand softness, energy volatility, and cost inflation have weighed heavily on margins.

The company expects to take charges of $630 million to $790 million as part of the overhaul.

From a U.S. investor standpoint, this signals that Dow is no longer in defensive mode. The company is willing to make difficult cuts to reduce drag and streamline global output.

Rather than propping up underperforming sites, Dow is redirecting attention to regions and verticals with structural tailwinds.

Those looking to invest in Dow may find clarity in the new roadmap.

The restructuring prioritizes long-term margin health over short-term optics and leans into regions where pricing power and cost control are achievable.

Dow’s dividend yield remains intact, but future payout strength will likely depend on how effectively these moves reset the cost base.

DOW currently trades at $29 and pays a dividend of $2.80 per share, a yield of 9.42%.

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Media

Paramount’s $8B Bet on Tech: Skydance Deal Clears Final Hurdles

Paramount (NASDAQ: PARA) is entering the final stages of its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, following a second 90-day extension that now pushes regulatory decisions into late 2025.

The merger, still pending FCC approval, follows Paramount’s $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump, a move widely seen as an effort to remove political barriers to the deal.

For long-term shareholders, the Skydance acquisition marks a decisive shift away from the struggling legacy model.

Paramount’s streaming ambitions have underperformed, advertising revenue has weakened, and rivals like Netflix and Apple continue to gain ground.

The deal, although controversial, positions the company for leaner operations and potentially greater alignment with evolving trends in content consumption and monetization.

Those assessing a potential stake in Paramount will need to weigh regulatory risk, brand dilution, and leadership execution.

The move offers scale, technical agility, and capital discipline; however, integration risk remains high, and reputational volatility is unlikely to disappear overnight.

As the merger advances, investors now face a redefined media company, one less anchored in nostalgia and more committed to platform reinvention.

PARA currently trades at $13 and pays a dividend of $0.20 per share, a yield of 1.57%.

MMC increased its dividend payout to ninety cents per share, a 10.43% rise. Its new forward yield is 1.69%.

EPD expanded its dividend payout to 54.5 cents per share, a 1.9% increase. Its new forward yield is 6.87%. 

BAC improved its dividend payout to 28 cents per share, an increase of 8.0%. Its new forward yield is 2.21%.

MVO dropped its dividend payout to 18.5 cents per share, a cut of 32.73%. Its new dividend yield is 12.74%.

TWO slashed its dividend payout to 39 cents per share, a cut of 13.3%. Its new dividend yield is 14.53%.

SEIS decreased its dividend payout to 3.36 cents per share, a cut of 41.833%. Its new dividend yield is 0.51%.

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Everything Else

• Copper costs could have wide-ranging effects on dividend stocks within industrial, automotive, and similar sectors. 

• BNY Mellon is the planned custodian for Ripple’s newest stablecoin offering.

• Merck’s $10B buyout of a small(ish) UK firm represents a move toward diversifying its overall drug portfolio.

• Automakers are making a mad dash to offload EVs before the tax credit ends. 

• Wendy’s executive departure may mark a pivot toward improved prospects for the lagging fast food dividend stock.