Income investors looking for high-yield dividend stocks should consider Enterprise Products Partners, Brookfield Renewable, and Portland General Electric. These companies offer attractive dividend yields above the industry average and have a track record of annual increases, making them appealing options for passive-income investors.

Enterprise Products Partners, a midstream master limited partnership (MLP), stands out with a remarkable 7.2% dividend yield. Unlike other energy companies, Enterprise generates revenue through fees for the use of its energy infrastructure assets, such as pipelines and processing facilities. This stable business model, coupled with a 26-year streak of annual distribution increases, makes Enterprise a reliable choice for conservative income investors.

Brookfield Renewable, available as both a partnership and a corporate version, focuses on investing in renewable power. With a dividend yield of 5.8% for the partnership and 5.1% for the corporate version, Brookfield Renewable offers consistent income generation. Its diversified renewable power portfolio spans multiple regions, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. As a result, the majority of its revenue comes from contracts, ensuring a reliable income stream for investors.

Portland General Electric, a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility, offers a dividend yield of 4.1%. The company operates in Oregon, a strategically important location for the technology sector due to the landing of transpacific communication cables. Portland General Electric expects significant growth in industrial demand, projected at an impressive annual rate of 7.5%. With 18 consecutive years of dividend increases and an investment-grade balance sheet, the company presents a reliable and attractive option for dividend investors.

Compared to the paltry 1.2% dividend yield offered by the S&P 500 index, the yields of these three stocks are significantly higher. Moreover, all three stocks are priced attractively, with yields that exceed the industry average. Enterprise's yield of 7.2% dwarfs the energy sector's average yield of 3.2%, while Brookfield Renewable's average utility yield of 2.9% pales in comparison to its 5.8% and 5.1% yields. Portland General Electric's 4.1% yield also outperforms the utility average.

Investors will find solace in the financial stability and reliability of these dividend stocks. Enterprise Products Partners boasts an investment-grade balance sheet and distributable cash flow that covers its payout by 1.7 times, reducing the risk of a distribution cut. Brookfield Renewable's investment-grade credit rating, solid payout ratio of funds from operations, and promising growth prospects in the renewable power sector add to its appeal. Portland General Electric's commitment to transitioning into clean energy positions it for earnings growth, making it an attractive long-term investment.

In conclusion, income investors seeking high-yield dividend stocks should consider Enterprise Products Partners, Brookfield Renewable, and Portland General Electric. These stocks offer impressive dividend yields above the industry average, backed by reliable businesses and a history of annual increases. Their attractive pricing relative to their respective industries makes them enticing opportunities for passive-income investors craving steady returns.