Key Points

Novo Nordisk leads the GLP-1 weight-loss sector.
Realty Income stands as a real estate powerhouse designed for steady dividend payouts.
Enterprise Products Partners offers an energy play insulated from oil price swings.

The S&P 500 index carries a modest 1% yield at present. Novo Nordisk delivers a 3.5% yield. Realty Income provides a 5% yield. Enterprise Products Partners offers an even stronger 5.9% yield. Each of these high-yielding equities stands out as appealing options as the second half of 2026 unfolds.

Novo Nordisk focuses on volume growth

Novo Nordisk maintains a trailing 12-month dividend payout ratio of 40%. This figure matters as the company navigates current challenges and a shifting business landscape. It pioneered the GLP-1 weight-loss injection but soon faced competition from Eli Lilly. Still, Novo Nordisk reached the market first with an oral GLP-1 option that shows stronger results than its rival's version.

This edge positions Novo Nordisk to recapture share in the expanding GLP-1 category. Early data shows faster adoption of its Wegovy pill compared to the injection, signaling positive momentum. Pricing pressure is emerging and affecting top-line results, yet the firm views lower prices as a deliberate strategy. It expects higher volumes to more than compensate, given the broad prevalence of weight concerns and room for multiple competitors. Purchasing shares now at a historically elevated 3.5% yield may suit contrarian investors heading into the latter half of the year.

Realty Income built for consistent payouts

Realty Income ranks as the largest net-lease REIT, holding more than 15,500 properties. Under net-lease terms, tenants cover most operating expenses, which lowers the landlord's costs and risks. The scale of the portfolio adds further stability through diversification across North America and Europe, spanning retail, industrial, and specialized assets such as casinos and data centers.

The REIT has operated prudently, reflected in its 31-year record of annual dividend growth and investment-grade credit rating. Its large size implies slower expansion, yet the 5% yield should satisfy most income-focused investors. It functions as a steady performer that can anchor a dividend portfolio through the second half of 2026.

Enterprise Products Partners acts as a toll collector

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East may raise questions about energy holdings, yet Enterprise Products Partners has remained largely unaffected by oil price volatility. As one of North America's largest midstream operators, the master limited partnership has raised its distribution each year since going public nearly 27 years ago.

The business owns energy infrastructure and collects fees for its use, creating a toll-based model where throughput volumes matter more than commodity prices. Distributable cash flow covers the distribution by a comfortable 1.7 times, keeping cut risk low. Longer-term shifts toward energy security could favor North American assets, making the current 5.9% yield even more compelling as oil prices moderate.

Three attractive high-yield names to review

Novo Nordisk may draw investors seeking out-of-favor opportunities. Realty Income suits conservative income seekers. Enterprise Products Partners offers a stable energy option without direct commodity exposure. Each merits closer examination as the second half of 2026 progresses.