Top 10 Dividend-Paying Stocks of 2014
September 24, 2014 4:46 PM
Top 10 Dividend-Paying Stocks of 2014
It stands to reason that the largest aggregate dividend payers in the U.S. stock market would be large-cap companies. They have the financial strength to pump out cash to shareholders on a regular basis.
By industry, two of the biggies are major oil companies, two are tech giants and two are the largest phone companies in the U.S. A healthcare company, a national bank, a consumer products company and an industrial conglomerate fill out the list.
If you're considering these stocks for a dividend portfolio, note that seven of the 10 historically increase dividends in the first half of the calendar year.
Here are the 10 biggest dividend payers according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. In each case we used the indicated dividend, the latest announced quarterly payment projected forward 12 months, multiplied by the number of shares outstanding to arrive at the total annual dividend. Stocks are ranked by that metric. -- Joseph Lisanti
See the single-page version here.
All data as of Sept. 17, 2014.
Dividend per share adjusted for stock splits.
Sources: S&P Dow Jones Indices; Company websites.
By industry, two of the biggies are major oil companies, two are tech giants and two are the largest phone companies in the U.S. A healthcare company, a national bank, a consumer products company and an industrial conglomerate fill out the list.
If you're considering these stocks for a dividend portfolio, note that seven of the 10 historically increase dividends in the first half of the calendar year.
Here are the 10 biggest dividend payers according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. In each case we used the indicated dividend, the latest announced quarterly payment projected forward 12 months, multiplied by the number of shares outstanding to arrive at the total annual dividend. Stocks are ranked by that metric. -- Joseph Lisanti
See the single-page version here.
All data as of Sept. 17, 2014.
Dividend per share adjusted for stock splits.
Sources: S&P Dow Jones Indices; Company websites.
10. Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a global consumer products company whose brands include Crest, Tide and Gillette. The company has paid a dividend for 124 consecutive years and increased it annually for the past 58 years.
Dividend Yield: 3.05%
Dividend/Share: $2.57
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: May 15, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $7.0 Billion
Ticker: PG
Dividend Yield: 3.05%
Dividend/Share: $2.57
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: May 15, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $7.0 Billion
Ticker: PG
9. Wells Fargo
Dividend Yield: 2.67%
Dividend/Share: $1.40
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 1, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $7.4 Billion
Ticker: WFC
Dividend/Share: $1.40
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 1, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $7.4 Billion
Ticker: WFC
8. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson, which produces pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer products, operates in more than 60 countries worldwide. The company has increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years.
Dividend Yield: 2.64%
Dividend/Share: $2.80
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 10, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $7.9 Billion
Ticker: JNJ
Dividend Yield: 2.64%
Dividend/Share: $2.80
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 10, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $7.9 Billion
Ticker: JNJ
7. Chevron
Chevron is the worlds fourth largest oil company in terms of proven reserves. Despite increasing its dividend an average of 9% annually over the past five years, it still pays out less than 40% of profits in dividends.
Dividend Yield: 3.43%
Dividend/Share: $4.28
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 10, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $8.1 Billion
Ticker: CVX
Dividend Yield: 3.43%
Dividend/Share: $4.28
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 10, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $8.1 Billion
Ticker: CVX
6. General Electric
General Electric is a major conglomerate and one of the original companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Problems at GE Capital caused a dividend cut during the financial crisis, but since bottoming in 2010, shareholder payments have almost doubled.
Dividend Yield: 3.35%
Dividend/Share: $0.88
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: December 23, 2013
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $8.8 Billion
Ticker: GE
Dividend Yield: 3.35%
Dividend/Share: $0.88
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: December 23, 2013
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $8.8 Billion
Ticker: GE
5. Verizon Communications
Verizon, the successor to two Baby Bells and GTE, is now the countrys leading mobile phone company. Dividends have increased about 4% annually over the past five years.
Dividend Yield: 4.31%
Dividend/Share: $2.20
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: November 3, 20 14
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $9.1 Billion
Ticker: VZ
Dividend Yield: 4.31%
Dividend/Share: $2.20
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: November 3, 20 14
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $9.1 Billion
Ticker: VZ
4. Microsoft
Microsoft, a major producer of computer software, was one of the first technology companies to introduce a dividend when taxes were lowered on shareholder payments in 2003. Since then, the dividend has risen 1,450%.
Dividend Yield: 2.41%
Dividend/Share: $1.24
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: December 11, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $9.3 Billion
Ticker: MSFT
Dividend Yield: 2.41%
Dividend/Share: $1.24
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: December 11, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $9.3 Billion
Ticker: MSFT
3. AT&T
AT&T, one of the nations largest telecom companies, started life as Southwestern Bell in 1983 and grew through acquisitions. Dividends have increased about 4.5% annually over the past decade.
Dividend Yield: 5.25%
Dividend/Share: $1.84
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: February 3, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $9.5 Billion
Ticker: T
Dividend Yield: 5.25%
Dividend/Share: $1.84
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: February 3, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $9.5 Billion
Ticker: T
2. Apple
Apple, the maker of iconic electronic devices including the iPhone and iPad, actually paid a small dividend from 1987 to 1995. After years of not paying shareholders, it instituted a much higher dividend in 2012 and has had two increases since then.
Dividend Yield: 1.85%
Dividend/Share: $1.88
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: May 15, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $11.3 Billion
Ticker: AAPL
Dividend Yield: 1.85%
Dividend/Share: $1.88
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: May 15, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $11.3 Billion
Ticker: AAPL
1. Exxon Mobil
Exxon Mobil is the worlds largest publicly traded international integrated oil and gas company. Over the past 31 years, Exxons dividend has increased at an average annual rate of 6.3%.
Dividend Yield: 2.84%
Dividend/Share: $2.76
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 10, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $11.9 Billion
Ticker: XOM
Dividend Yield: 2.84%
Dividend/Share: $2.76
Payment Date for Most Recent Increase: June 10, 2014
Total Annual Indicated Dividend: $11.9 Billion
Ticker: XOM
