High Yield Investor Celebrates 5 Years with Top Picks for 2026

Analyst Samuel Smith shares a high-yield investing strategy that outperformed buy-and-hold

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

High Yield Investor, a leading dividend stock research firm, is celebrating its 5th anniversary by offering a 30-day money-back guarantee on its services. The firm's lead analyst, Samuel Smith, has a diverse background including being a lead analyst at several dividend stock research firms and running his own investing YouTube channel. Smith is now sharing the firm's Top Picks for 2026, which focus on finding the right balance between safety, growth, yield, and value.

Why it matters

High Yield Investor's approach challenges the traditional 'buy-and-hold forever' investing philosophy, arguing that high-yield strategies may outperform in the long run by avoiding structural limits that can cap returns. As investors look to generate income and grow their wealth, High Yield Investor's alternative perspective on portfolio construction is garnering attention.

The details

High Yield Investor was founded 5 years ago and is led by Samuel Smith, who has a background as a lead analyst and VP at several dividend stock research firms as well as running his own investing YouTube channel. The firm offers real-money core, retirement, and international investment portfolios, along with regular trade alerts, educational content, and an active investor community. For its 5-year anniversary, High Yield Investor is releasing its Top Picks for 2026, which focus on finding the right balance of safety, growth, yield, and value.

  • High Yield Investor was founded 5 years ago.
  • High Yield Investor is celebrating its 5-year anniversary in 2026.
  • High Yield Investor is currently offering a 30-day money-back guarantee on its services.

The players

Samuel Smith

The lead analyst and Vice President at High Yield Investor, with a diverse background that includes being a lead analyst at several highly regarded dividend stock research firms and running his own dividend investing YouTube channel. He is a Professional Engineer, Project Management Professional, and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering & Mathematics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Masters in Engineering with a focus on applied mathematics and machine learning.

Jussi Askola

A co-founder of High Yield Investor who teams up with Samuel Smith and Paul R. Drake to focus on finding the right balance between safety, growth, yield, and value.

Paul R. Drake

A co-founder of High Yield Investor who teams up with Samuel Smith and Jussi Askola to focus on finding the right balance between safety, growth, yield, and value.

High Yield Investor

A leading dividend stock research firm that offers real-money core, retirement, and international investment portfolios, along with regular trade alerts, educational content, and an active investor community.

Warren Buffett

A renowned investor who has advocated for the 'buy and hold forever' investment philosophy.

Charlie Munger

A renowned investor who has advocated for the 'buy and hold forever' investment philosophy alongside Warren Buffett.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Many investors like to subscribe to the mantra of buy and hold forever. In fact, this idea is supported by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, who took the viewpoint that the ideal holding period for stocks is forever.”

— High Yield Investor (Seeking Alpha)

What’s next

High Yield Investor is currently offering a 30-day money-back guarantee on its services, making now the perfect time for investors to join and access the firm's Top Picks for 2026.

The takeaway

High Yield Investor's alternative approach to portfolio construction, which focuses on finding the right balance of safety, growth, yield, and value, challenges the traditional 'buy-and-hold forever' philosophy. As investors seek to generate income and grow their wealth, High Yield Investor's strategy may provide an attractive option for those looking to potentially outperform the market.