Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, October 18:

MFA Financial, Inc. (MFA Quick QuoteMFA - Free Report) : This real estate investment trust has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.8% over the last 60 days.

MFA Financial, Inc. Price and Consensus

MFA Financial, Inc. price-consensus-chart | MFA Financial, Inc. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 15.2%, compared with the industry average of 12.7%.

MFA Financial, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

MFA Financial, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | MFA Financial, Inc. Quote

APA Corporation (APA Quick QuoteAPA - Free Report) : This oil and gas company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.1% over the last 60 days.

APA Corporation Price and Consensus

APA Corporation price-consensus-chart | APA Corporation Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 2.4%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.

APA Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

APA Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | APA Corporation Quote

The New York Times Company (NYT Quick QuoteNYT - Free Report) : This media company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5% over the last 60 days.

The New York Times Company Price and Consensus

The New York Times Company price-consensus-chart | The New York Times Company Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1%, compared with the industry average of 0.5%.

The New York Times Company Dividend Yield (TTM)

The New York Times Company dividend-yield-ttm | The New York Times Company Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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