Uncover the Hidden Risks of Nasdaq's High-Yielding Stocks

The Nasdaq's Highest-Yielding Stocks: A Closer Look

Cutting straight to the chase, the Nasdaq's highest-yielding names right now (excluding small caps and exchange-traded funds) are Icahn Enterprises (IEP -5.87%), AGNC Investment (AGNC 0.35%), and Torm PLC (TRMD 2.36%). Their forward-looking dividend yields currently stand at 16%, 15%, and 21%, respectively. These are truly enormous numbers, especially when compared to the S&P 500's trailing dividend yield of 1.3%. But these numbers aren't something investors can simply rely on.

Take Icahn Enterprises, for example. Led by activist investor Carl Icahn, this conglomerate has had its moments of bullish brilliance since going public in 1987. However, its lack of diversification has become a significant problem. It has remained heavily invested in energy and automotive-related stocks, often holding onto these holdings for too long at the wrong time. As a result, Icahn Enterprises' shares are back to where they were in 2004, and the dividend has been cut to a quarter of its early 2023 level. It's a clear case of what can happen when a speculative approach to stock picking suddenly stops working.

AGNC Investment: A Real Estate REIT with Volatile Yields

AGNC Investment is a real estate investment trust, or REIT for short. It holds real estate investments and passes along a large portion of its profits to shareholders. REITs can own a wide variety of assets, from apartment complexes to office buildings to hotels. AGNC Investment, however, is an oddball even by REIT standards. It buys, holds, and sometimes sells bundles of mortgage loans made by government agencies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Rapid changes in interest rates and real estate price volatility have had a significant impact on this REIT's business model. Although AGNC's monthly dividend payment of $0.12 per share hasn't changed since being lowered in early 2020, the REIT hasn't always had enough money to fully fund these payments. Concerns about the organization's sustainability have led to a continued sell-off that began in late 2013.

Torm PLC: Inconsistent Dividend Payments

While Torm's expected dividends for the coming year translate into a huge forward-looking yield, there is no historical consistency to its payouts. Torm operates a fleet of about 90 oil tankers, and the demand for crude and other petroleum-based products is inherently inconsistent. The pricing for these transportation services is also unpredictable. As a result, Torm has never suggested that its dividend payments would remain stable. It simply shares a portion of its quarterly net profits, which can vary greatly.

This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, but it's something that most investors find difficult to digest. That's why the stock has seen a 40% pullback from its June peak when crude prices began to slide and are still declining.

It's important to note that this isn't to say that every investor should avoid these stocks. There may be unique situations where investing in one of these names could make sense if you can handle the risk or see something that others don't. But for the vast majority of investors, these Nasdaq-listed names bring more risk than they're worth. This risk includes weakening dividend payments and the potential for a permanent loss of capital.

In almost all cases, if something seems too good to be true, there's usually a catch. Sound stock-picking requires the ability to spot these drawbacks before making a decision. By understanding the hidden risks and nuances of these high-yielding dividend stocks, investors can make more informed choices and avoid potential pitfalls.