EPR Properties and Oneok Emerge as High-Yield Choices for Passive Income in March

Investors searching for reliable passive income in early March 2026 are finding renewed interest in two U.S. companies with above-average dividend yields. Real estate investment trust EPR Properties and energy infrastructure operator Oneok both combine steady cash generation with clear plans for measured growth, positioning them as potential options for income-oriented portfolios.

EPR Properties: Experiential Real Estate Focus

EPR Properties, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker EPR, specializes in “experiential” real estate assets. The company’s portfolio is concentrated in movie theaters, “eat-and-play” venues and other attractions that generate foot traffic by offering entertainment rather than traditional retail. Management leases these properties to operators through long-term triple-net agreements, shifting most day-to-day expenses—such as maintenance, insurance and taxes—to the tenant. This structure has historically provided EPR with predictable rental revenue and limited exposure to rising operating costs.

During the most recent fiscal year, EPR’s funds from operations (FFO)—a key performance measure for real estate investment trusts—rose 5.1%. The FFO increase was supported by rent escalations embedded in existing leases and by the deployment of $288.5 million into additional properties. Building on that momentum, the company raised its monthly dividend payout by an equivalent 5.1% at the start of 2026, following a 3.5% increase the previous year. Based on recent share prices, the dividend yield now stands near 5.9%.

The REIT’s guidance for the current year calls for another FFO advance of just over 5% at the midpoint of the projected range. Capital expenditure plans also remain sizable: management expects to commit between $400 million and $500 million to property acquisitions and developments in 2026. Approximately $85 million of that total is earmarked for experiential development and redevelopment projects already under way. The current pipeline of opportunities is expected to keep annual dividend growth in the low-to-mid single-digit range, consistent with recent history.

Although the experiential real estate segment faced challenges during earlier economic cycles, EPR’s lease structure and tenant diversification have helped the company maintain sufficient cash coverage for distributions. As a result, the REIT continues to target a sustainable payout strategy while expanding its asset base.

Oneok: Pipeline Operator with Stable Cash Flows

Oneok, listed on the NYSE under the symbol OKE, operates a network of natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines across key energy corridors in the United States. Most of the company’s earnings are derived from long-term, fixed-fee contracts or government-regulated rate structures, insulating revenue from daily commodity-price swings. This model supported a double-digit earnings advance in the last fiscal year, driven by recently completed acquisitions, integration synergies and several organic expansion projects.

Following that growth, Oneok increased its quarterly dividend by 4%, moving the forward yield to approximately 5%. While management expects a slower earnings trajectory in 2026 due to fewer near-term catalysts, the medium-term outlook remains tied to a series of projects already under construction. Six organic growth initiatives—described by the company as high-return—are scheduled to enter commercial service between mid-2026 and mid-2028.

In addition to its active construction portfolio, Oneok continues to evaluate opportunities related to rising U.S. natural gas demand. Data centers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals and various industrial facilities are expanding consumption, a trend highlighted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. To address this demand, Oneok is assessing incremental pipeline, processing and storage capacity that could extend earnings momentum beyond the current project slate.

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Management has stated an objective of lifting the dividend at a 3% to 4% annual rate over the long term. The funding plan for that goal centers on internally generated cash flow backed by fixed-fee contracts, supplemented by disciplined access to capital markets when favorable. The balance between dividend commitments and growth spending is intended to sustain credit metrics and preserve financial flexibility.

Yield Profiles and Investor Considerations

At recent market prices, EPR Properties offers a dividend yield approaching 5.9%, while Oneok’s payout is near 5%. Both yields compare favorably with the broader average of large-capitalization U.S. equities and exceed yields on many fixed-income instruments of similar duration. In both cases, management teams are guiding toward modest but consistent payout increases supported by organic growth initiatives.

For EPR, the principal variables remain tenant health and consumer demand for experiential venues. The reliance on triple-net leases mitigates operating cost risk, but occupancy levels and rental collections can still fluctuate alongside discretionary spending patterns. Meanwhile, Oneok’s exposure is tied to long-term natural gas demand and regulatory frameworks governing pipeline tariffs. Project execution and timely permitting represent additional points of attention for the company’s multi-year buildout plans.

Timeline and Financial Outlook

Looking to the remainder of 2026, EPR’s property investment budget of up to half a billion dollars is expected to expand the rent-generating asset base, reinforcing FFO projections. The company’s capital allocation strategy continues to prioritize sectors with established entertainment demand, with current development projects scheduled to reach completion at staggered intervals over the next several quarters.

For Oneok, the step-down in year-over-year growth guidance reflects an absorption period following substantial acquisition activity. Nevertheless, the six ongoing organic projects—targeted for phased service entry from mid-2026 through mid-2028—provide a defined runway for volume and earnings expansion. Additional prospective projects tied to data centers and LNG infrastructure could further extend that timeline if finalized.

Collectively, both companies maintain dividend policies engineered to deliver predictable cash distributions while reserving capacity for future investments. For income-focused investors evaluating opportunities in March 2026, EPR Properties and Oneok represent examples of businesses balancing high current yields with structured, incremental growth plans.