Here is a current overview of the best yielding stocks with a market capitalization over USD2 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 23, 2012. In total, 29 stocks and preferred shares go ex-dividend of which 13 yielding above 3 percent. The average yield amounts to 3.61 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:

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) has a market capitalization of USD2.95 billion and operates within the “Gas Utilities” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 17.32, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.20, P/S Ratio: 0.93, P/B Ratio: 1.25, Dividend Yield: 4.22%.

Carnival Corporation (CCL) has a market capitalization of USD24.68 billion and operates within the “Resorts & Casinos” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 15.48, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.92, P/S Ratio: 1.55, P/B Ratio: 1.05, Dividend Yield: 3.15%.

Carnival (CUK) has a market capitalization of USD24.79 billion and operates within the “General Entertainment” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 15.56, Forward P/E Ratio: 14.17, P/S Ratio: 1.55, P/B Ratio: 1.05, Dividend Yield: 3.14%.

Arcelor Mittal (MT) has a market capitalization of USD23.59 billion and operates within the “Steel & Iron” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 30.84, Forward P/E Ratio: 5.09, P/S Ratio: 0.25, P/B Ratio: 0.41, Dividend Yield: 4.96%.

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PBA) has a market capitalization of USD8.12 billion and operates within the “Oil & Gas Pipelines” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 31.20, Forward P/E Ratio: -, P/S Ratio: 4.70, P/B Ratio: 5.10, Dividend Yield: 5.69%.

Questar Corporation (STR) has a market capitalization of USD3.52 billion and operates within the “Independent Oil & Gas” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 16.61, Forward P/E Ratio: 15.56, P/S Ratio: 3.06, P/B Ratio: 3.26, Dividend Yield: 3.29%.

Exelis (XLS) has a market capitalization of USD2.00 billion and operates within the “Communication Equipment” industry. These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 6.36, Forward P/E Ratio: 6.32, P/S Ratio: 0.34, P/B Ratio: 2.05, Dividend Yield: 3.85%.

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.

Click Here to See the Top Guru Dividend Stocks

More Gurufocus Links

Latest Guru Picks	Value Strategies
Warren Buffett Portfolio	Ben Graham Net-Net
Real Time Picks	Buffett-Munger Screener
Aggregated Portfolio	Undervalued Predictable
ETFs, Options	Low P/S Companies
Insider Trends	10-Year Financials
52-Week Lows	Interactive Charts
Model Portfolios	DCF Calculator
RSS Feed	Monthly Newsletters
The All-In-One Screener	Portfolio Tracking Tool