The market roared back to record highs this week. The Dow is soaring, the S&P 500 is inches from new highs, and everyone on Wall Street is patting themselves on the back for riding the tech wave.

But something doesn’t feel right.

Underneath the surface, there are cracks starting to show. And if you’re an income investor like me, it’s time to take notice.

You see, Tuesday saw a massive selloff in chip stocks after ASML Holdings, a major supplier to the semiconductor industry, issued a disappointing sales forecast for 2025. Now, ASML says all systems are go for AI-related chips, but the market is nervous about the read-through for everything else. As Tom Essaye of Sevens Report Research put it, “It just sort of underscores that, while AI chip demand is obviously a huge growth metric for the space, it's not everything.” [Source]

That’s right – the party might be over for the Magnificent Seven.

And that means a shift is coming… a rotation out of overvalued tech stocks and into undervalued income opportunities.

Here are 3 contrarian dividend plays ready to pay your bills – and potentially beat the market – as the tech bubble starts to deflate:

1. McDonald's (MCD): The All-Weather Income Machine

Let’s face it: people need to eat – even when their tech stocks are tanking. That’s what makes McDonald’s a rock-solid income investment, especially during uncertain economic times.

As consumers get squeezed by rising prices, they’re increasingly turning to McDonald’s for value and convenience. Those $5 Meal Deals are looking pretty good right now, and the company’s massive global scale gives them pricing power that’s tough to beat.

McDonald’s is also a digital powerhouse, with a popular mobile app for lightning-fast ordering and delivery – a strategy that’s resonating with everyone from busy commuters to families on the go. And with plans to expand its global store count by thousands in the coming years, McDonald’s is setting itself up for an even bigger slice of the market.

But here’s what we income investors really love: McDonald’s has grown its dividend consistently for nearly 50 years. Today, the stock offers a solid 2.3% yield. [Source]

Not only will McDonald's help you ride out any market storm – its reliable income stream will help you sleep well at night.

2. Home Depot (HD): Building Income as Interest Rates Fall

After years of aggressive interest rate increases, the Federal Reserve is finally signaling it’s time for a change. And that's good news for Home Depot, and even better news for income investors.

Why? Because lower rates mean lower mortgage rates – and that spells opportunity.

People who have put off buying a home might finally jump in. Homeowners who have held back on renovations due to sky-high borrowing costs can finally start those projects. And who benefits? Home Depot.

To prepare for this surge in demand, Home Depot has been smartly targeting professional contractors with their recent $18 billion acquisition of SRS Distribution. This deal will expand Home Depot's reach into roofing, landscaping, and other high-demand areas – setting them up to capture even more market share. [Source]

The best part? Home Depot has increased its dividend for 15 straight years! With a 2.2% current yield, and a strong outlook for future dividend growth, Home Depot is a must-have income play as interest rates fall.

3. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): Pipelines of Profits

The demand for energy isn’t going away anytime soon. While everyone’s busy chasing the latest tech gadgets, Enterprise Products Partners is quietly building a massive network of oil and gas pipelines that deliver a steady stream of income.

Think of it like this: No matter how fancy those new iPhones get, people still need to power their homes and businesses. And that means relying on pipelines to transport oil and gas from where it’s produced to where it’s needed.

Enterprise Products Partners controls a vast network of nearly 50,000 miles of pipelines and over 250 million barrels of storage capacity. This critical infrastructure generates reliable cash flow that can withstand the ups and downs of the energy markets. And as a Master Limited Partnership (MLP), EPD offers substantial tax advantages. [Source]

Sure Dividend predicts that over the next 5 years Enterprise Products will deliver an average annual return of 10.8%, fueled by its high dividend yield and steady growth.

While the tech sector might be heading for a reality check, Enterprise Products Partners is a classic income play built for the long haul.

Action Plan: Get Ready for the Shift

If you want to protect and grow your portfolio during the inevitable tech correction, now’s the time to start shifting your focus to income investing opportunities like the three stocks outlined above. Don't wait until everyone else is scrambling… make your move now while your competition is still distracted by the shiny objects of Silicon Valley.

Stay tuned – tomorrow we’ll uncover a tax-advantaged strategy that could unlock thousands in tax-free income! You won’t want to miss it.