Alphabet Rises as Cheapest Magnificent Seven Stock Amid AI, Antitrust Pressures

Dividend-paying stocks and dividend-focused ETFs have gained increased attention in 2025 as resilient income sources amid market volatility. The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers a compelling option with a low expense ratio and a focus on financially healthy companies with long dividend histories, yielding around 4%. More aggressive income-oriented ETFs can offer yields as high as 11%, though investors should be cautious of unsustainable high yields, as exemplified by Vodafone's dividend cut following a falling share price. Additionally, several undervalued U.S. stocks that recently increased their dividends have been identified, signaling confidence in future earnings and providing potential growth opportunities. Meanwhile, major technology companies like Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft continue to drive market growth, particularly through advancements in generative AI and cloud computing, with Alphabet notably expanding its AI capabilities and cloud infrastructure. Overall, dividend investing remains a valuable strategy for balancing income and growth, especially when selecting financially strong companies and funds with proven dividend records.