In a highly volatile week across global financial markets, U.S. equity markets ultimately finished the week little-changed, while benchmark interest rates rebounded from the lowest levels of the year. Following a historic surge in volatility, stabilization in Asian and European markets, decent jobless claims data, and clarity on the domestic Presidential matchup helped to ease market jitters. Narrowly avoiding a fourth-straight week of losses, the S&P 500 finished flat - staging a late-week rebound after sharp declines early in the week. The Nasdaq remained in "correction territory."

John Bogle was an early proponent of index investing, but the S&P 500's low yield may not meet income investors' needs. Blackstone Secured Lending offers a 10% yield, 116% dividend coverage, and a well-diversified portfolio of safer first lien debt. BXSL demonstrates solid fundamentals, benefits from the high-interest rate environment, and maintains a strong balance sheet, making it a great option for income investors.

Blackstone Secured Lending is one of the highest quality BDCs out there. Theoretically, one might argue that the dividend coverage of 113% is too small and the fact that it trades at a premium renders BXSL unattractive. However, if we dissect the fundamentals, we will quickly understand that a premium is justified and the underlying dividend is very safe.

There are growing risks of a recession hitting due to weakening job numbers, rising unemployment, and weakening consumer spending capacity. We share a portfolio of high-yield stocks that should be able to weather a recession quite well. The yields range from 4.5%-14%.

Shares of Equity Residential (EQR) fell Wednesday after the real estate investment trust (REIT) announced it had agreed to purchase 11 apartment properties from Blackstone's (BX) real estate unit in separate deals valued at approximately $964 million.

The BDC sector is now in a correction. It also faces numerous significant headwinds. We share our outlook on and approach to the sector moving forward.

Blackstone Mortgage Trust slashed its dividend by 24% due to persistent office loan performance problems, leading to an increased dividend pay-out ratio. The trust's credit loss reserve account increased, causing a decline in book value, but a $0.47 per share dividend may be more sustainable. Blackstone Mortgage Trust announced a $150 million share repurchase to cushion the impact of the dividend cut, and the stock is selling at a 24% discount to book value.

Stocks are falling due to recession fears and disappointing earnings reports. Despite the market volatility, now is a good time to buy high-quality dividend stocks at discounted valuations with attractive yields. I share several of the most attractive dividend stock opportunities of the moment.

There is an arbitrage opportunity between private and public real estate. Savvy investors are selling private real estate and buying REITs. I explain why this makes sense today.

The market is caught between excitement over Fed rate cuts and nervousness over weakening consumer trends, unemployment, and falling wage growth. I've been discussing the ongoing economic weakening, declining consumer spending power, and labor market struggles for months. I discuss my call for a 2024 recession, data on weakening consumer trends, the impact of Fed rate cuts on big tech, and a cautious buy list.

The next cycle for public REITs could be more similar to those of the 1990s and early 2000s than one of the past 14 years. In prior cycles, public REITs enjoyed a cost of capital that allowed for significant external growth, boosting cash flow and dividends per share. Many companies spent the past cycle shoring up their balance sheets to record low leverage and maintaining a low dividend payout to enhance flexibility.

While growth-focused public companies tend to attract the most attention on Wall Street, safe stocks also present a viable pathway to long-term success. Yes, these ideas might be boring – no, they are boring.