Your Safest Dividend Stocks Just Became the Most Dangerous, Cramer Warns

Jim Cramer warned on CNBC that dividend “safety” may no longer apply to high-yield stocks as Treasury yields near 5% reshape the math behind income investing. He pointed to General Mills’ 127th consecutive year of dividend payments, while noting its shares were down 24.24% through Monday’s close. Cramer said high yielders can reflect complacency and potential danger, citing VICI Properties, UPS and Edison International as examples. With the 10-year Treasury yielding 5.17% on September 25, he argued future dividends are discounted more heavily. He also cited weaker performance: VICI, General Mills, UPS and Edison’s yields range from about 6.8% to 7.93% amid stock declines. He noted dividend cuts elsewhere, including Campbell’s and Conagra.