Tobacco giant Altria Group (NYSE: MO) has been one of the highest-yielding dividend stocks in the S&P 500 for quite a while. Its quarterly dividend is $1.02 per share and it offers a forward yield of over 8%. For perspective, the average dividend yield of the S&P 500 stands just above 1.3%.

Here's why I plan to buy more shares of Casey's General Stores for my daughter, even after her investment has nearly doubled in less than two years.

Investing in the stock market has long proven itself as a winning formula for generating wealth, though there are many paths to profits. One of the best is buying dividend stocks. Dividend stock investing has outperformed all other classes of stock over many decades.

A buoyant stock market that keeps reaching new heights is making it tougher to find high-yield dividend payers. The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high on Oct 18. At recent prices, the average dividend-paying stock in the benchmark index offers an uninspiring 1.3% dividend yield.

Money Talks columnist Darnell Mayberry explains a shift in his investment strategy from chasing dividends to exploring stock options trading for potentially higher returns.

These four dividend stocks that yield 5% or more are often forgotten by growth and income investors. They might be worth a closer look.

Here are two passive income-producing dividend stocks that can help you advance your own journey toward financial independence.