Highest Dividend Yield Stocks (8%+)
Extreme-yield stocks paying 8% or more annually. Maximum income potential — with complete risk context for each holding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What causes stocks to have 8%+ dividend yields?
Extreme dividend yields (8%+) typically come from three sources: (1) REITs and BDCs which are legally required to distribute 90%+ of income; (2) MLPs (pipeline partnerships) with high tax-advantaged distributions; (3) distressed companies where share prices have collapsed, artificially inflating the yield percentage — the most dangerous category.
Is an 8% dividend yield too high?
Not necessarily. REITs, Business Development Companies (BDCs), and closed-end funds routinely yield 8-12% sustainably due to their legal structure mandating distributions. But if a traditional industrial or consumer company yields 8%+, investigate carefully — it likely signals an impending dividend cut.
What would $50,000 earn at 8% dividend yield?
At 8% annual yield, $50,000 generates $4,000/year — $333/month or $1,000/quarter. At 10% yield, the same $50,000 generates $5,000/year — $416/month. Always assess dividend sustainability before committing capital to extreme-yield stocks.
What are BDCs and why do they yield so much?
Business Development Companies (BDCs) lend capital to small and mid-size businesses and are legally structured like REITs — they must distribute 90%+ of income. Because they invest in higher-risk private debt, they generate high interest income. Top BDCs include Ares Capital (ARCC), Prospect Capital (PSEC), and FS KKR Capital (FSK).
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