Here is a current overview of the best yielding stocks with a market capitalization over USD 10 billion that have their ex-dividend date within 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 May 14-21, 2012. In total, 208 stocks and preferred shares go ex-dividend of which 94 yielding above 3 percent and 40 are high yields. The average yield amounts to 3.95 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:

Telefonica (TEF) has a market capitalization of USD 64.76 billion and operates within the “Telecom Services - Foreign” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 3.02, Forward P/E Ratio: 7.02, P/S Ratio: 0.79, P/B Ratio: 0.74, Dividend Yield: 14.99%.

Westpac Banking Corporation (WBK) has a market capitalization of USD 69.80 billion and operates within the “Foreign Money Center Banks” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 11.73, Forward P/E Ratio: 10.49, P/S Ratio: 1.79, P/B Ratio: 1.58, Dividend Yield: 7.03%.

Eni SpA (E) has a market capitalization of USD 86.56 billion and operates within the “Major Integrated Oil & Gas” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 7.54, Forward P/E Ratio: 7.46, P/S Ratio: 0.57, P/B Ratio: 1.02, Dividend Yield: 6.41%.

Telecom Italia SpA (TI) has a market capitalization of USD 20.75 billion and operates within the “Diversified Communication Services” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 266.75, Forward P/E Ratio: 6.24, P/S Ratio: 0.53, P/B Ratio: 0.69, Dividend Yield: 5.37%.

ConocoPhillips (COP) has a market capitalization of USD 67.65 billion and operates within the “Major Integrated Oil & Gas” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 5.85, Forward P/E Ratio: 8.08, P/S Ratio: 0.27, P/B Ratio: 1.02, Dividend Yield: 4.93%.

China Petroleum & Chemical (SNP) has a market capitalization of USD 85.73 billion and operates within the “Major Integrated Oil & Gas” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 7.67, Forward P/E Ratio: 5.71, P/S Ratio: 0.22, P/B Ratio: 1.14, Dividend Yield: 4.79%.

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) has a market capitalization of USD 29.06 billion and operates within the “Electric Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 19.57, Forward P/E Ratio: 14.68, P/S Ratio: 2.00, P/B Ratio: 1.28, Dividend Yield: 4.60%.

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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