Income investors often make a costly mistake when using free stock screeners like Google Finance and Yahoo Finance. This error can particularly impact high-yielding stocks such as closed-end funds (CEFs). For example, the BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) has a 7.5% yield and strong long-term returns, even though it may appear lackluster at first glance. By considering total returns, which include dividends, investors can see the full picture of a fund’s performance. CEFs, with an average yield of 8.9%, offer significant income potential compared to the average S&P 500 stock.

Looking ahead to 2026, investors can generate a monthly dividend stream from high-yielding funds averaging 9.3% yield. These funds provide instant diversification and deep discounts, offering the potential for substantial income growth. By focusing on monthly paying funds, investors can receive 60 dividend “paychecks” throughout the year. For more information on these opportunities, a free special report is available for interested investors.

Read more at Nasdaq: Dump This Bad Habit to Find the Best 7.5%+ Dividends in 2026