High-Yield Dividend Stocks: A Smart $500 Investment Opportunity

Passive income remains a cornerstone of savvy investing, and dividend stocks offer a compelling avenue for steady returns. While high yields can sometimes signal risk, select companies combine attractive payouts with sustainable business models. Three stocks currently yielding between 4.2% and 5.5%—all accessible for under $500—stand out as prudent choices for income-focused portfolios.

Chevron (CVX), with its 4.3% dividend yield, exemplifies resilience in the volatile energy sector. The integrated oil giant has raised its dividend for 37 consecutive years, leveraging diversified upstream and downstream operations to weather commodity cycles. Reinvesting such dividends compounds wealth over time, turning modest investments into significant income streams.