Here are four stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, January 3rd:

Spark Energy, Inc. : This independent retail energy services company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 20.8% over the last 60 days.

Spark Energy, Inc. Price and Consensus

Spark Energy, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Spark Energy, Inc. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 7.9%, compared with the industry average of 2.9%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 6.5%.

Spark Energy, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Spark Energy, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Spark Energy, Inc. Quote

AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC Quick QuoteAGNC - Free Report) : This real estate investment trust has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.2% over the last 60 days.

AGNC Investment Corp. Price and Consensus

AGNC Investment Corp. price-consensus-chart | AGNC Investment Corp. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 10.8%, compared with the industry average of 8.3%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 11.8%.

AGNC Investment Corp. Dividend Yield (TTM)

AGNC Investment Corp. dividend-yield-ttm | AGNC Investment Corp. Quote

Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom Neft : This integrated oil company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.6% over the last 60 days.

Gazprom Neft OAO Price and Consensus

Gazprom Neft OAO price-consensus-chart | Gazprom Neft OAO Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 8.2%, compared with the industry average of 2.6%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 5.8%.

Gazprom Neft OAO Dividend Yield (TTM)

Gazprom Neft OAO dividend-yield-ttm | Gazprom Neft OAO Quote

Evolution Petroleum Corporation (EPM Quick QuoteEPM - Free Report) : This oil and gas company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.1% over the last 60 days.

Evolution Petroleum Corporation, Inc. Price and Consensus

Evolution Petroleum Corporation, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Evolution Petroleum Corporation, Inc. Quote

This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has a dividend yield of 7.4%, compared with the industry average of 0%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 4.2%.

Evolution Petroleum Corporation, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Evolution Petroleum Corporation, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Evolution Petroleum Corporation, Inc. Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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