Investors looking for a way to pump up their passive income stream with dividend-paying stocks are having a tough time lately. The benchmark S 500 index has risen a stunning 43% since the end of 2022. The gains have been terrific for the stocks already in our portfolios, but finding reliable dividend payers that still offer high yields is a lot harder than it used to be.

However, it isn't impossible. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), PennantPark Floating Rate Capital (NYSE: PFLT), and Ares Capital (NASDAQ: ARCC) offer an average yield of 8.5% at recent prices.

Investors who want to secure $1,000 in annual dividend income can do so with about $11,800 invested evenly among these three stocks. Here's why they look like great options for folks who want a big injection of passive income in the near term plus a good chance to see their payouts grow over time.

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Source Fool.com