Here is a current overview of the best yielding stocks with a market capitalization over USD 2 billion that have their ex-dividend date on the next trading day. If your broker settles your trade today, you will receive the next dividend. A full list of all stocks with ex-dividend date can be found here: Ex-Dividend Stocks May 16, 2012. In total, 53 stocks and preferred shares go ex-dividend of which 28 yielding above 3 percent. The average yield amounts to 4.05 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:

China Petroleum & Chemical (SNP) has a market capitalization of USD83.97 billion and operates within the “Major Integrated Oil & Gas” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 7.52, Forward P/E Ratio: 5.59, P/S Ratio: 0.21, P/B Ratio: 1.12, Dividend Yield: 4.89%.

AGL Resources (GAS) has a market capitalization of USD4.49 billion and operates within the “Gas Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 22.52, Forward P/E Ratio: 12.76, P/S Ratio: 1.57, P/B Ratio: 1.32, Dividend Yield: 4.81%.

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) has a market capitalization of USD29.02 billion and operates within the “Electric Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 19.54, Forward P/E Ratio: 14.56, P/S Ratio: 2.00, P/B Ratio: 1.27, Dividend Yield: 4.61%.

Progress Energy (PGN) has a market capitalization of USD16.23 billion and operates within the “Electric Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 30.46, Forward P/E Ratio: 16.56, P/S Ratio: 1.84, P/B Ratio: 1.62, Dividend Yield: 4.52%.

Plum Creek Timber (PCL) has a market capitalization of USD6.19 billion and operates within the “REIT - Industrial” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 33.63, Forward P/E Ratio: 26.81, P/S Ratio: 5.04, P/B Ratio: 5.03, Dividend Yield: 4.38%.

HSBC Holdings (HBC) has a market capitalization of USD158.89 billion and operates within the “Foreign Money Center Banks” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 9.66, Forward P/E Ratio: 6.42, P/S Ratio: 2.52, P/B Ratio: 1.06, Dividend Yield: 4.11%.

Sonoco Products (SON) has a market capitalization of USD3.24 billion and operates within the “Paper & Paper Products” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 16.17, Forward P/E Ratio: 12.33, P/S Ratio: 0.70, P/B Ratio: 2.21, Dividend Yield: 3.73%.

Chevron Corporation (CVX) has a market capitalization of USD201.09 billion and operates within the “Major Integrated Oil & Gas” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 7.49, Forward P/E Ratio: 7.52, P/S Ratio: 0.79, P/B Ratio: 1.60, Dividend Yield: 3.53%.

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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