7 Utility Dividend Stocks Getting Slammed

Contrarian investors should utilize times like this to differentiate between stocks that are dropping for fundamentally sound reasons -- and those stocks that are simply being dragged down because of general market concerns. Sure, there's plenty to worry about -- gigantic federal deficits, sovereign debt problems in Europe, an economic slowdown in China. But let's not forget that in the midst of all of this volatility lies the prospect to grab some great companies at dirt cheap prices. In particular, I'm a huge fan of dividend stocks. Renowned professor Jeremy Siegel has illustrated that from 1957 to 2003, when reinvesting dividends, the S&P's 100 highest-yielding stocks outperformed the market by an average of 3 percentage points. Over a long period of time, 3 percentage points can... more

Highest-Yielding Financials (You Might Actually Want to Buy)

The power of dividend investing is pretty well-known these days. Higher-yielding stocks tend to offer higher returns over time than low- or no-yield stocks, according to research from Jeremy Siegel and others. In fact, the 20 best-performing survivor stocks from the original S&P 500 in 1957 are all dividend payers. What's more, reinvesting dividends acts as a "bear-market protector and return accelerator," according to Siegel. The extra shares purchased and accumulated at higher dividend yields during down periods act as a protector in falling markets, and these extra shares rising in value turn into a "return accelerator" when prices rise.... more

Core Laboratories (CLB) Announces Increase in Dividend

Core Laboratories N.V. (NYSE: CLB) announced a cash dividend payable in the first quarter of 2011 of $0.25 per share of common stock. This increase, in part, reflects a decision by the Company to incorporate its practice of paying an annual special dividend into its quarterly dividends. On an annualized basis, the quarterly cash dividend for the first quarter of 2011 would equal a payout of $1.00 per share of common stock which is 12% greater when compared to the total $0.89 per share dividend paid in 2010 comprised of the four $0.06 per share quarterly dividends (which reflect the Company's two-for-one stock split that was effective 8 July 2010) plus the $0.65 per share special dividend paid in August 2010. The quarterly $0.25 per share cash dividend will be payable on 25 February... more

FFD Financial (FFDF) Declares $0.17 Quarterly Dividend; 4.7% Yield

FFD Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: FFDF) announced that on January 14, 2011, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.17 per share, $0.68 annualized. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on January 31, 2011, payable on February 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 11, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 4.7%.... more

Franklin Street Properties (FSP) Declares $0.19 Quarterly Dividend; 5.1% Yield

Franklin Street Properties Corp. (AMEX: FSP) has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share, $0.76 annualized. The dividend is payable on February 18, 2011 to stockholders of record as of January 28, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 26, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 5.1%.... more

Marchex (MCHX) Declares $0.02 Quarterly Dividend; 0.8% Yield

Marchex, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHX), today announced that the company's Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.02 per common share, $0.08 annualized. Marchex will pay these dividends on February 15, 2011 to the holders of record as of the close of business on February 4, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 2, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 0.8%.... more

MSA (MSA) Declares $0.25 Quarterly Dividend; 3.2% Yield

MSA (NYSE: MSA) today declared a first quarter dividend of $0.25 per common share, $1.00 annualized. The dividend is payable March 10, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 11, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 3.2%.... more

The Most Outstanding Dividend Portfolio I Know

In the coming days, I'm putting $10,000 of my personal portfolio into four dividend stocks and an ETF. Today I'll reveal their names, and show you how to access 13 more high-yielding tickers so you can build the world's most outstanding dividend portfolio for yourself. Over the past three months, I and several other Fool.com writers have covered many popular dividend stocks from every conceivable angle. We did this in response to Fool.com readers demanding more coverage of these stocks. You asked for it and we have delivered -- but we're not done yet. Not even close!... more

Buffett's an Income Investor. Why Aren't You?

One of the worst misconceptions about dividend investing is that it's boring. Heck, some even think dividends are dumb. But I would argue (and I have) that for those of us who love it when someone deposits money into our brokerage accounts, dividend investing is the most powerful and low-risk form of investing around. In fact, dividend investing is so powerful that the world's greatest investor, Warren Buffett, has made it a staple of his strategy. And that's a good reason dividend investing should be a component of your investment portfolio. Even better, you can prudently and safely use options to boost that income power further, helping you make money in any market.... more

Assurant (AIZ) Declares $0.16 Quarterly Dividend; 1.7% Yield

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock, $0.64 annualized. The dividend will be payable on March 14, 2011 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 28, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 24, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 1.7%.... more