Antero Midstream

AM

Market cap $8.5B

Antero Midstream, VICI Properties, and Enbridge each yield over 5% and offer a realistic path to 10–12% annual returns. AM has transformed from a yield trap to a high-quality midstream with robust free cash flow, a 5.1% yield, and significant buyback potential. VICI's unique Las Vegas Strip assets, 6.4% yield, and AFFO growth support a safe, double-digit total return, trading below historical valuation multiples.

Recent years have seen the U.S. continue on its path of increasing the nation's already staggering defense budget, and the E.U. conclude it needs to remilitarize with a program worth nearly $1 trillion.

DENVER, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE: AM) ("Antero Midstream" or the "Company") today announced that the Board of Directors of Antero Midstream declared a cash dividend of $0.225 per share for the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company also repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares during the fourth quarter.

DENVER, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Antero Resources (NYSE: AR) ("Antero" or the "Company") announced today that the Company plans to issue its fourth quarter 2025 earnings release on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. A conference call is scheduled on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 9:00 am MT to discuss the financial and operational results.

I trimmed positions in NVDA and AMD due to valuation concerns and overexposure, favoring BDCs like ARCC, OBDC, and HTGC for yield. November dividend income reached a record $653, up 5% Y/Y, with BDCs now comprising 33% of total dividends despite potential sector-wide dividend cuts. My 2025 target is $11,000 in annual net dividends (8% growth), with flexibility to raise capital for real estate or travel if opportunities arise.

The asset management firm acquired 510,000 shares of Antero Midstream in the third quarter. The transaction represents about 1.94% of reported 13F AUM.

The U.S. government is increasingly funding deficits with short-term debt, making interest expenses highly sensitive to Fed policy. A declining average maturity in the sovereign bond index tightens the link between fiscal and monetary policy, amplifying market complexity. Artificially subdued long-term bond supply likely keeps long-term yields lower than they would be with more balanced issuance.

I present a 20-stock model retirement portfolio targeting a balanced 5.6% yield, emphasizing both income and dividend growth. My approach avoids "sucker yields" by focusing on quality, sustainable payouts rather than chasing unsustainable high-yield stocks. The portfolio is diversified across BDCs, REITs, energy, and growth names, with allocations reflecting risk, yield, and income stability.

The market appears expensive, with historical precedent for long periods of low returns after peaks. Consensus expects 15% S&P 500 earnings growth and rising margins, driven by AI innovation, supporting a steady long-term outlook. Analyst forecasts for 2026 should be viewed skeptically, as actual outcomes often diverge from consensus projections.

Energy badly lagged this year, and I underestimated how severe the supply glut would be. I was early - but the long-term thesis remains firmly intact. Today's oil prices aren't sustainable. Low prices are forcing discipline, squeezing supply, and creating a rare setup where sentiment and fundamentals are deeply misaligned. With positioning extremely bearish and costs rising, I see energy setting up for a powerful reversal - offering both income and upside for patient investors.