Here is a current overview of the best yielding stocks with a market capitalization over USD 10 billion that have their ex-dividend date on the next trading week. If your broker settles your trade before the ex-date, you will receive the next dividend. A full list of all stocks with ex-dividend date can be found here: Ex-Dividend Stocks April 30 – May 06, 2012. In total, 161 stocks and preferred shares go ex-dividend of which 89 yielding above 3 percent. The average yield amounts to 4.17 percent.

The ex-dividend date is a major date related to the payment of dividends. If you purchase a stock on its ex-dividend date or later, you will not receive the next dividend payment. Instead, the seller gets the dividend. If you purchase before the ex-dividend date, you get the dividend. It is important that your broker settles your trade before the ex-dividend date.

These are the results of the best yielding stocks:

Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) has a market capitalization of USD 11.00 billion and operates within the “Oil & Gas Pipelines” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 42.79, Forward P/E Ratio: 19.64, P/S Ratio: 1.61, P/B Ratio: 1.89, Dividend Yield: 7.46%.

Nokia Corporation (NOK) has a market capitalization of USD 14.07 billion and operates within the “Communication Equipment” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: -, Forward P/E Ratio: 19.32, P/S Ratio: 0.28, P/B Ratio: 0.87, Dividend Yield: 7.17%.

Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ) has a market capitalization of USD 18.06 billion and operates within the “Specialty Chemicals” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 15.48, Forward P/E Ratio: 16.05, P/S Ratio: 2.68, P/B Ratio: 3.18, Dividend Yield: 5.34%.

Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) has a market capitalization of USD 13.11 billion and operates within the “Oil & Gas Pipelines” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 16.56, Forward P/E Ratio: 17.01, P/S Ratio: 0.38, P/B Ratio: 2.33, Dividend Yield: 5.12%.

Koninklijke Philips Electronics (PHG) has a market capitalization of USD 20.41 billion and operates within the “Electronic Equipment” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: -, Forward P/E Ratio: 17.44, P/S Ratio: 0.68, P/B Ratio: 1.16, Dividend Yield: 4.93%.

HCP (HCP) has a market capitalization of USD 17.33 billion and operates within the “REIT - Healthcare Facilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 31.79, Forward P/E Ratio: 21.09, P/S Ratio: 10.05, P/B Ratio: 1.87, Dividend Yield: 4.84%.

FirstEnergy (FE) has a market capitalization of USD 19.66 billion and operates within the “Electric Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 22.07, Forward P/E Ratio: 14.64, P/S Ratio: 1.21, P/B Ratio: 1.48, Dividend Yield: 4.68%.

Southern Company (SO) has a market capitalization of USD 39.98 billion and operates within the “Electric Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 18.04, Forward P/E Ratio: 16.37, P/S Ratio: 2.26, P/B Ratio: 2.13, Dividend Yield: 4.26%.

Paychex (PAYX) has a market capitalization of USD 11.29 billion and operates within the “Staffing & Outsourcing Services” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 20.76, Forward P/E Ratio: 19.10, P/S Ratio: 5.13, P/B Ratio: 7.08, Dividend Yield: 4.11%.

How Safe Are Your Dividends?

The most important thing for income investors is to make sure their dividends are safe. Check to see if your dividend stocks are also in the portfolios of investment Gurus.

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