Dividends are an effective income generation tool for both short- and long-term investors. To capitalize on dividends, investors must ensure that they purchase the stock before the ex-dividend date and hold the stock through this period. Payments for dividends usually occur two to six weeks after the Ex-Date. For more information please check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.
1. Altria Group
Altria Group Inc. (MO ) offers a dividend yield of 4.28% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $48.56 and pays a dividend of $2.08. The stock is down 14.36% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Altria Group as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.6 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 5.0 (sector average is 3.9).
2. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Co. (KO ) offers a dividend yield of 3.28% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $40.20 and pays a dividend of $1.32. The stock is down 10.67% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Coca-Cola as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.5 (sector average is 3.9).
3. Dr. Pepper Snapple
Dr. Pepper Snapple (DPS) offers a dividend yield of 2.62% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $73.27 and pays a dividend of $1.92. The stock is down 10.04% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Dr. Pepper Snapple as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.9).
4. Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO ) offers a dividend yield of 0.47% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $128.57 and pays a dividend of $0.60. The stock is down 7.52% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Thermo Fisher Scientific as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 4.0).
5. Merck
Merck & Co. (MRK ) offers a dividend yield of 3.06% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $58.84 and pays a dividend of $1.80. The stock is down 7.51% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Merck as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 4.0).
6. Macy's
Macy’s Inc. (M ) offers a dividend yield of 2.08% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $69.13 and pays a dividend of $1.44. The stock is down 1.23% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Macy’s as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).
7. H&R Block
H&R Block (HRB ) offers a dividend yield of 2.50% based on Tuesday’s closing price of $31.96 and pays a dividend of $0.80. The stock is down 10.73% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates H&R Block as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.5 (sector average is 3.7).
