Medical Properties Trust is a 'Strong Sell' due to rapidly deteriorating financial performance, significant tenant issues, and high debt burden. Read more here.

The big draw with regard to Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW) today is its lofty 8% dividend yield. But this is a signal of a high level of risk in what amounts to a turnaround story, as the real estate investment trust (REIT) continues to deal with troubled tenants.

Diversified Trust Co trimmed its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW – Free Report) by 56.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

High-yielding dividend stocks can provide investors with some mouthwatering payouts that appear too good to pass up. Medical Properties Trust ( MPW 3.07%) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that offers investors an incredibly high yield of 8.4% today -- that's more than six times the S&P 500 average of 1.3%.

Medical Properties Trust investors took a hit from Prospect Medical's bankruptcy filings, but stock has largely consolidated. Click here to read why MPW is a Hold.