The Best Dividend Stocks of 2011

In December, I chose three dividend stocks that I thought would be solid performers for 2011. Two months into 2011, after they've reported earnings, I'm taking a look at how they've performed compared to the S&P. The three dividend stocks were Frontier Communications (NYSE: FTR), Altria (NYSE: MO), and Annaly Capital (NYSE: NLY). Each pays a huge yield, ranging from Altria's 6.2% to Annaly's 14.6%. Those big yields also mean that you're not likely to see as much capital appreciation as you would with fast dividend growers. But I selected three high dividend payers because big current yielders are more likely to outperform fast dividend growers over a fairly long period of time, as I explain here.... Read more