Everyone has to start somewhere when saving for retirement. Even if you don't have any money saved up today, it's possible to build up a strong nest egg by the time you retire, potentially even $1 million. Through the power of compounding and investing, you can grow your savings at far higher levels than if you were to just accumulate money in a bank account.

What's important, however, is to have a plan and know how much you may need to invest regularly in order to achieve your goals. Below, I'll show you what amount you may want to aim to invest each month, based on your age and years until retirement, in order to end up with a portfolio of at least $1 million by the time you retire.

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Growth stocks are your go-to option for long-term investing

If you're investing for a period of 20-plus years, then you'll likely be far better off going with growth stocks than dividend stocks. The latter are more suitable when you're older, closer to retirement, and want to keep your risk relatively low. The former, however, can produce much better gains over the long run but come with much greater uncertainty and risk in any individual year. As long as you're in it for the long haul and can stomach any bad years along the way, the payoff can be well worth it.

Rather than picking growth stocks yourself, there are many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) you can invest in that will give you exposure to many of them. One popular option for growth investors is the Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF (NYSEMKT: VUG). This has been a market-beating fund to own over the past decade, with its total returns (which include reinvested dividends) up more than 240%.

^SPX data by YCharts.

The past doesn't predict the future. But odds are, by sticking with growth stocks, you'll be putting yourself in an excellent position to achieve some terrific returns in the years ahead.

The VUG ETF holds more than 160 of the U.S.'s largest growth stocks, including big names like Nvidia and Meta Platforms. Its constituent stocks have averaged an annual earnings growth rate of more than 26% over the past five years. The fund also charges a low expense ratio of 0.04%, which means fees won't take a big chunk out of your gains.

How much do you need to invest each month to retire with $1 million?

In order to forecast how much you'll need to save and invest each month to be on track to retire with at least $1 million, you need to consider the number of years you have until retirement, as well as the average return that you'll achieve over that timeframe.

You might have some control over the retirement number (in this example, I'm assuming you retire at age 65). But predicting an average return can be challenging, and that can make a significant difference in your overall returns and how much you might need to invest.

Historically, the S&P 500 has averaged an annual return of around 10%. For the sake of being conservative, in the table below, I've shown you how much you'll need to invest monthly based on a 10% annual return, and also a 9% return, should the market slow down.

Table and calculations by author.

These numbers can seem high, but they don't need to be discouraging. You can invest tax refunds, inheritance, investment gains, and any other potential lump sum amounts to help accelerate your portfolio's growth. The more money you have invested, the more it will compound over time, and help you end up with a higher balance in the end.

Knowing the amounts you might need can help you create a plan that aligns with your goals, and that doesn't set expectations too high or depend on a best-case scenario. Either way, trying to put aside a regular amount of money into growth-oriented investments can still help you build up a strong portfolio balance by the time you retire, even if you don't end up with $1 million.

Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Growth ETF right now?

Before you buy stock in Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Growth ETF, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Growth ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $594,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $680,390!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 872% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 160% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Vanguard Index Funds-Vanguard Growth ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) hit a value of more than $100,000 last year, for the first time ever. Did the fourth Bitcoin halving event prove to be a positive catalyst for the cryptocurrency and its valuation? Or has its rapid rise in value had more to do with other factors?

How Bitcoin has done since the halving event

Bitcoin's big selling point is its scarcity. And every four years, the rewards of Bitcoin mining are halved. It's bad news for miners, but it slows the rate at which new tokens enter circulation, thereby helping maintain Bitcoin's scarcity.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

Bitcoin's value sometimes rises after a halving, prompting investors to buy the digital currency beforehand. But did that happen after the last halving event, which took place on April 19, 2024? Here's a look at Bitcoin's price in the months following the event.

Calculations by the author. Source: Yahoo! Finance.

While Bitcoin has risen since the halving event, the rise really began only after Donald Trump, who campaigned as a crypto-friendly president, won a second term.

Relying on patterns and charts is a dangerous strategy

Stocks and cryptocurrencies often move in relation to new developments in the market. And what happened in the past won't necessarily happen again.

As usual, the 2024 Bitcoin halving event was planned and would have been priced into the digital currency's valuation even before it happened. The scarcity was not new or unexpected, so investors shouldn't have expected it to have an immediate impact on Bitcoin's valuation, regardless of what may have happened in previous years.

The real catalyst behind the digital currency's surge in value was due to something that wasn't priced in -- the election win of a president who was looking at loosening restrictions in the crypto world, and even setting up a bitcoin reserve.

Investors should remain careful with crypto

Bitcoin has hit record highs in recent months, but that doesn't mean it's destined to continue going up in value. This is a speculative investment, and favorable policies from President Trump may lead to greater use and acceptance of the digital currency, but there's no way of knowing.

Some investors call Bitcoin "digital gold," but it has not lived up to that name this year, as the cryptocurrency has declined right along with the S&P 500. At the same time, the price of gold has been hitting record levels this year as many investors are craving safe assets. Although it has been picking up steam in recent days, Bitcoin's proving to be as volatile as ever; it's a safe investment only when compared to other cryptocurrencies.

For the vast majority of investors, that's not safe enough. Unless you have a high risk tolerance, you're likely better off pursuing growth stocks than taking a chance on Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency. With the markets still on shaky ground, speculative investments could be particularly vulnerable to sharp and sudden sell-offs this year.

It might be tempting to buy Bitcoin especially as it gets hot and rises in value, but investors should tread carefully with the cryptocurrency as its movements can be unpredictable. And with a lot of question marks remaining around the economy, there's still plenty of risk in the markets right now.

Relying on safe businesses with strong growth prospects is going to be a more tenable option for investors, especially those who are risk-averse.

Should you invest $1,000 in Bitcoin right now?

Before you buy stock in Bitcoin, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Bitcoin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $594,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $680,390!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 872% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 160% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Two stocks that could benefit from President Donald Trump's popularity this year are Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ: DJT) and Newsmax (NYSE: NMAX). The former was launched by Trump in 2021 when he created the Truth Social platform, while the latter features a conservative cable channel that the president has endorsed in the past. Newsmax recently went public, but Trump Media's stock has been around for a little over a year after merging with Digital World Acquisition Corp.

Which of these two stocks is likely to perform better this year and over the long haul?

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The case for Trump Media

Trump Media stock is more closely aligned with President Trump's brand and image. It involves his Truth Social platform and streaming business.

The company has also been looking at crypto as a growth opportunity, recently partnering with crypto.com, which plans to offer exchange-traded funds comprising both digital and non-digital assets. Among the possible ETFs that could soon be available are a "Made in America" ETF and a "Bitcoin Plus" fund. While the details of those funds are not known, Trump Media has applied to trademark investment products with those names.

Trump Media is also well-funded, finishing last year with $777 million in cash and short-term investments. That liquidity can give the business lots of runway to grow even as it's still burning through cash. The company's net sales totaled just $3.6 million last year, but with plans to offer more services and greater opportunities for monetization ahead, there could be strong growth on the horizon for the company.

The case for Newsmax

Shares of Newsmax went public last month and at a market cap of less than $2 billion, it's a cheaper option than Trump Media stock (worth nearly $5 billion). And the company also has a much more established business today, centering around its cable channel and website.

Last year, Newsmax reported more than $171 million in revenue, with its top line growing by 26% year over year. The company incurred a loss of more than $72 million but with strong gross profit margins of around 50%, there may be hope for the business to one day turn a profit as it scales its operations and adds to its subscribers.

With the company focused on conservative news, it could stand to benefit from President Trump's strong popularity. Newsmax rose in prominence during Trump's first presidential term as he soured on once-favored Fox News, which he called "unwatchable" back in 2020.

Which stock is the better buy?

Although both media stocks present risks and neither is a safe buy, if you're deciding between the two, I'd go with Newsmax.

At this stage, Trump Media doesn't seem to be much more than a meme stock. It isn't generating much revenue, and simply having a strong cash balance doesn't make it an investable business. It's a speculative buy, and year to date, it has fallen more than 36%. What's concerning is that even amid that decline, it still looks egregiously overpriced and has plenty of room to fall even lower.

Almost by default, Newsmax looks to be the better option right now. Its valuation is lower, and its business is growing quickly. But with steep losses, it's not a safe stock to own either. However, with an established business and more modest valuation, I expect it'll outperform Trump Media this year and beyond.

Should you invest $1,000 in Newsmax right now?

Before you buy stock in Newsmax, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Newsmax wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $566,035!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $629,519!*

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David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If you're a dividend investor, now can be an ideal time to go bargain-hunting. The stock market is in the midst of a broad sell-off, with investors dumping all types of stocks, both bad ones and good ones. Fear has taken over, and while it may seem like a terrible time to buy, it may actually be a great one, especially if you're looking for stocks to buy and hold for the long haul.

Three dividend stocks that are near their 52-week lows and which may make for solid income-generating investments are Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Rogers Communications (NYSE: RCI). Here's what you need to know about these stocks and why they are worth buying for their dividend income.

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Pfizer

One of the most attractive dividend yields you can find on the markets right now comes from Pfizer. At 7.5%, it's paying you more than five times the S&P 500 average of 1.4%. It's a mouthwatering payout, and the big question for investors comes down to whether it's safe or if it's too good to be true and due for a cut.

Based on the stock's more than 16% decline this year (as of Monday), investors don't appear convinced that Pfizer's dividend is safe, not with the new government potentially taking a tough stance on healthcare and vaccines in general.

The stock's payout ratio is more than 100%, which may also be concerning. But that's due to multiple one-time expenses, including asset impairment charges and restructuring costs. The healthcare company is expecting its top line to be fairly stable in 2025 and says it's on track to generate $4.5 billion in cost savings by the end of the year due to its Cost Realignment Program.

CEO Albert Bourla previously referred to the company's dividend as a "sacred cow," suggesting that it is an important priority to keep it going. While there will be some risk as Pfizer faces patent expirations on key products, it has been investing in developing and growing its pipeline of future drugs.

Pfizer is a bit of an underrated, contrarian pick that investors can get at an attractive valuation. Not only did it recently hit a new 52-week low, but it's also trading at less than 8 times its estimated future earnings (based on analyst expectations).

Lockheed Martin

Defense and aerospace stock Lockheed Martin makes for another solid, high-yielding option for investors to buy right now. Its dividend yield isn't as high as Pfizer's, but at over 3%, you're still getting a fairly attractive payout from the company.

While President Donald Trump has been vocal about cutting costs from government spending, he's also been a strong proponent of securing the country's borders and focusing on defense -- priorities that Lockheed Martin can benefit from. The company is expecting single-digit growth this year and for free cash flow to total at least $6.6 billion, up from $5.3 billion in 2024.

The stock's payout ratio is fairly modest at 57% of earnings, and with stable growth ahead, it looks like one of the safer income stocks to own right now. As of Monday, the stock was down 12% since the start of the year, but that may be primarily due to the broader market sell-off, as this still looks like a solid investment to buy and hold.

Rogers Communications

Canadian-based telecom giant Rogers Communications yields 5.4%. It is down 17% this year and hit a new 52-week low recently, but overall, its operations are stable, and historically, this has been a low-volatility stock to own. Concerns about the economy and high interest rates are weighing on the stock, but the company's fundamentals are strong.

Rogers has reported a profit totaling 1.7 billion Canadian dollars over the trailing 12 months, which is more than 8% of its top line (CA$20.6 billion). Its payout ratio of 63% is fairly modest and sustainable, even if it experiences a slowdown due to challenging economic conditions ahead.

Telecom stocks as a whole have been struggling in recent years, and Rogers' stock is trading at levels it hasn't been at since 2009. But as a top Canadian operator, there's little worry about its competitiveness and ability to generate strong results in the long run. This is a deep-value buy that investors shouldn't overlook.

Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now?

Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $578,035!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin and Rogers Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Investing in the S&P 500 index has long been a great way to take advantage of the economy's growth. But in many cases, buying and holding individual stocks has resulted in far more impressive gains. While there has been a lot of turmoil in the markets of late, a simple buy-and-hold strategy has worked incredibly well.

Over the past 10 years, the S&P 500 has risen by 174% (assuming an April 1 cutoff). But during that same time frame, chipmaker Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has produced gains of nearly 21,000% for investors. To put that into perspective, that means a $5,000 investment in the company 10 years ago would have grown to a value of more than $1 million by now. By comparison, the same size investment in the S&P 500 would be worth less than $14,000.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

Nvidia has been an incredible growth stock, and it's been a bit of an anomaly -- no other stock within the index has come close to generating the same types of returns over the past decade. Below, I'll look at who is in the second spot, and how close its returns are to Nvidia's.

A familiar rival for Nvidia

The second-best-performing stock on the S&P 500 over the past decade is none other than Nvidia's rival Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), more commonly referred to as AMD. Over the same time frame that Nvidia has risen by nearly 21,000%, AMD has amassed gains of more than 3,700%. A $5,000 investment at the beginning of that time frame would have grown to a value of $191,000. That's still an impressive performance, but unfortunately, anything can look modest in relation to Nvidia.

Data by YCharts.

For the most part, however, the two tech stocks performed similarly well. The big delta emerged in 2023 and grew more prominent as Nvidia became synonymous with artificial intelligence (AI). Its AI chips have been crucial for companies developing AI chatbots, and enhancing their products and services with next-gen capabilities. While AMD also makes AI chips, it has been lagging behind Nvidia, and investors and analysts don't appear convinced that those chips will be competitive and take significant market share.

Nvidia's growth rate has been far superior to AMD's

AI has been a mammoth catalyst for Nvidia, with its growth rate surpassing 200% last year. While that has come down as the company has been lapping some incredibly strong performances, its growth rate remains far higher than AMD's, which is why it has been the more lucrative investment to own.

Data by YCharts.

AMD's growth rate has been picking up, and it's possible the gap between these two companies may shrink in the future. AMD launched its latest AI chips late last year; how they perform could be key in determining just how well its growth rate ends up being, and how the stock does in relation to its rival.

Which stock is the better buy today?

If AMD's growth rate continues to accelerate while Nvidia's slows down, it wouldn't be surprising to see growth investors pivot more toward AMD in the future, especially given its more modest valuation ($135 billion versus $2.2 trillion for Nvidia). But if you're bullish on AI, it may not be a bad idea to hold a position in both companies. These businesses are likely to experience strong growth due to AI for years to come. They've both been excellent buys and can continue to deliver great returns for investors over the long haul.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $244,570!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $35,715!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $461,558!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

Continue »

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The market has been in free fall of late, but if you have 10-plus investing years left, now can be an optimal time to actually pile more money into stocks. With valuations lower, it can be a cheaper time to load up on quality stocks.

And as long as you are confident that you won't need to pull money out of your portfolio anytime soon, now can be a great time to buy stocks.

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The key, of course, is quality and ensuring that you aren't buying just any stock that looks cheap. Three companies that are no-brainer investments when looking at the long term are Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), and Walmart (NYSE: WMT). Here's why these can be ideal for buy-and-hold investors today.

1. Microsoft

Microsoft was a top name in its industry decades ago, and it wouldn't be surprising if it remains so decades from now. Businesses all over the world rely on its systems and office software for managing their day-to-day operations, including creating reports, analyzing performance, and helping with the preparation of their financial statements.

The company has also been investing heavily into artificial intelligence (AI) to add value and augment its current offerings.

Meanwhile, the business has also been expanding via acquisitions, with the most notable being its $69 billion purchase of video game company Activision Blizzard in 2023. And with tremendous assets at its disposal, Microsoft can still get a whole lot bigger and diverse in the future. Over the trailing 12 months, it generated just under $93 billion in profit.

The tech stock recently hit a new 52-week low. And with a price-to-earnings multiple (P/E) of 29, it isn't egregiously overpriced even though it's one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a market cap of around $2.7 trillion. Microsoft is not only a fantastic growth stock but a fairly safe investment to hang on to for the long haul.

2. Eli Lilly

Another behemoth to invest in today is Eli Lilly. The healthcare company looks unstoppable in the early innings of an incredibly promising opportunity in GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

The company is working on bringing a weight loss pill to market. But in the meantime, it already has an approved injectable drug in Zepbound, which brought in close to $5 billion in sales last year, already accounting for 11% of the company's overall revenue, despite only obtaining approval from regulators in late 2023.

The anti-obesity market could be worth more than $100 billion, and some analysts believe $200 billion may be more accurate. As an early leader in this space, Eli Lilly is poised for significant growth. And with a diverse portfolio of drugs beyond just GLP-1, it provides investors with long-term stability.

Shares are down more than 12% this year, and any discount you can get on the healthcare stock can prove to be a deal in the long run given its long-term potential. It trades at more than 57 times earnings, but the premium looks reasonable given the company's opportunities.

3. Walmart

Completing this list of top blue chip stocks is big-box retailer Walmart. Like the other stocks on this list, it's an industry leader, and it seems like a safe bet to assume it will continue to be a dominant force years from now.

As of the end of last week, the stock was down around 8% since the start of 2025. It's not a huge discount -- you're still paying more than 34 times trailing earnings to own a piece of Walmart. But for the stability it offers and its continued growth, it's a premium that is justifiable given the current market conditions; it's one of the safer options to hang on to right now.

Walmart may seem like a boring stock, but make no mistake: It is a good growth investment. It acquired TV maker Vizio last year, it looks to bolster its ad business, it has dabbled in healthcare, it's growing its online business, and last year it announced plans to open or expand up to 150 stores in the U.S. market over a five-year period.

The company has generated more than $19 billion in profit over the past 12 months, and it's one of the more resilient businesses you can invest in for the long haul.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $244,570!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $35,715!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $461,558!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

Continue »

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Dividend stocks can provide you with some valuable income on a recurring basis. And the more you invest, the more you can collect in dividends. Given the decline in the stock market of late, now may be a great time for investors to scoop up some quality income stocks at attractive valuations.

Three high-yielding stocks you may want to consider loading up on right now are Realty Income (NYSE: O), United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), and Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE: BNS). Here's how investing $17,000 into these stocks can set you up to earn more than $1,000 in annual dividends.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

1. Realty Income

Realty Income offers investors an attractive dividend that yields 5.8%, which is more than four times what you would get with the average stock on the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) at a 1.4% yield. By investing $5,000 into the real estate investment trust (REIT), you could collect around $290 per year in dividends from the stock.

REITs can be attractive options for dividend investors because they can generate not only recurring income, but also provide you with some stability. As long as tenants are paying their rent, a REIT will typically be in strong financial shape.

And with Realty Income, investors get some valuable diversification. By having more than 1,500 clients in its portfolio, Realty Income may not be as vulnerable to a downturn as other, less diversified REITs may be.

Realty Income is a rarity in that it pays its dividend on a monthly basis (most dividend stocks pay quarterly). Plus, it has increased its dividend 130 times since going public in 1994.

The REIT posted solid results for 2024, with its funds from operations per share coming in at $4.01, which was only down slightly from the $4.07 it reported in the previous year. With good stability and a monthly dividend, Realty Income can make for an excellent option for any dividend investor.

2. United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service, better known as just UPS, is another dividend stock I'd put on my buying list right now. Its yield is up to 6.7%, and investing $6,000 into it would generate more than $400 in annual dividends.

Shares of UPS fell in late January when the company posted its latest earnings numbers and said it would be cutting its Amazon deliveries by more than half. While that may sound like a bad development, it could end up being a great one for business, as CEO Carol Tomé says that helps guide the company toward more profitable contracts. And at the end of the day, profitability is what is of key importance to dividend investors, as opposed to just top-line growth.

It's a hard but important decision for UPS to come to, which comes at a key time, as economic conditions may deteriorate this year due to tariffs and trade wars. The stock's payout ratio is up around 100%, and a greater focus on profitability will give it some much-needed breathing room and more room for increases. UPS raised its quarterly dividend by $0.01 earlier this year, and the company has either increased or at least maintained its payout since it went public in 1999.

3. Bank of Nova Scotia

Another top dividend stock to own is Bank of Nova Scotia, also known as Scotiabank. What's remarkable about Scotiabank is the reliability it offers. It has been paying dividends continuously since 1833 and makes for a dependable dividend stock to buy and hold over the long term. Over the past decade, it has increased its dividend at an average rate of 5%.

The company has been a staple in the Canadian banking sector, and it consistently generates strong earnings and stable growth. In the trailing 12 months, its net income has totaled 7.2 billion Canadian dollars, approximately 22% of its top line. With a healthy profit margin and a dominant position in the banking industry, this is one of the safest income stocks you can buy and hold for the long term.

The Canadian-based bank's dividend yields 6.4%. By investing $6,000 into the stock, you could collect approximately $384 in dividends per year. Combined with the other investments on this list, that would put your total annual dividend income at a little over $1,070 from investments totaling $17,000.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $244,570!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $35,715!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $461,558!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Bank Of Nova Scotia and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Don't let the sell-off in the markets scare you off: Now may be an ideal time to buy stocks. Even if you don't have a lot of money that you can afford to invest, there are many great stocks you can buy for less than $100, and over time you can slowly build up your position.

Three growth stocks that look like fantastic buys for the long haul right now are AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN), Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER), and Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET). Here's why these can be great investments to hang on to for years.

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AstraZeneca

Shares of AstraZeneca currently trade at less than $70. This is a stock that can be both a good growth stock and an income-generating investment. Its dividend currently yields 2.3%, which is higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.4%.

But the big reason to invest in AstraZeneca is for its long-term growth potential. The company is investing in growing its pipeline, but it is also using acquisitions to open up new growth opportunities. Last year, it acquired Fusion Pharmaceuticals, a company that develops next-gen cancer treatments involving radiopharmaceuticals, which are more targeted approaches to cancer treatment than chemotherapy.

Through acquisitions and in-house investments, AstraZeneca now has a whopping 191 projects in its pipeline. In addition to oncology, the company has opportunities in rare diseases, respiratory and immunology, cardiovascular, and other therapeutic areas.

AstraZeneca reported more than $54 billion in sales last year, but there's considerably more growth on the horizon. By 2030, it's aiming for $80 billion in sales. This fast-growing stock is a great investment to just buy, put into your portfolio, and forget about.

Uber Technologies

Uber Technologies stock trades at a similar price to AstraZeneca, also below $70. While it doesn't pay a dividend, it also makes for a compelling growth stock. The simplicity and efficiency of its operating model is what makes it an attractive investment.

Investors have been worried that robotaxis will encroach on Uber's turf and eat into its market share, but I'm not convinced they will pose a significant threat to the business. Uber's model relies on its software connecting drivers to customers, rather than on operating a fleet of vehicles, which can be costly and difficult to turn a profit on. That software can work for robotaxis too, so they may prove to be complementary to Uber's growth in the long run. For example, Uber recently partnered with Alphabet's Waymo on the deployment of autonomous vehicles in Austin and Atlanta.

Uber is seeing terrific growth -- sales have more than doubled in three years, going from $17.5 billion in 2021 to just under $44 billion this past year. And over that time, Uber went from being unprofitable to now posting a strong profit margin of 22%. The company may benefit from new opportunities related to robotaxis, as well as by entering more markets to further expand its reach around the globe.

Arista Networks

Another fantastic growth stock to consider buying right now is Arista Networks, which trades at a similar price point to both Uber and AstraZeneca. The tech company provides businesses with networking solutions, helping them upgrade their infrastructure to meet the needs of artificial intelligence (AI) and ensuring they balance their workloads efficiently.

Arista grew its sales by just under 20% last year, to $7 billion; net income also rose by 37% to nearly $2.9 billion. The company can benefit from trends in AI, and while it hasn't generated the sort of returns that chipmaker Nvidia has, there's been a notable correlation in its performance. Over the past three years, while Nvidia's stock has risen more than 300%, Arista has climbed by more than 100%. And as AI stocks have tumbled of late, so too has Arista's valuation.

For investors who are bullish on the opportunities in AI, Arista Networks can make for a compelling buy. With a market cap of around $80 billion and the stock trading at an attractive valuation of 26 times the company's estimated future earnings (based on analyst expectations), it could have a lot of upside in the long run.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $244,570!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $35,715!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $461,558!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Arista Networks, Nvidia, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends AstraZeneca Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.