List of High Dividend Stocks

Although most people consider buying low and selling high to be the main method of making money in the stock market, a long-term investment in a stable, high dividend stock can be every bit as profitable, while offering more security and stability. High dividend stocks (or those that offer a high percentage yield as compared to their sale prices) can vary and fluctuate, and today's high dividend stock might be tomorrow's penny stock, or vice versa. There is an element of risk in all stock investing, but here are a few reputable, high dividend stocks that have proven profitable throughout the 2000s.

EK

Eastman Kodak, better known as simply Kodak, had a 13.74 percent dividend ratio in early 2009, more than four times the average for a stock on the S&P 500.

PFE

Pfizer, Inc., the well-known pharmaceutical company, boasts an impressive 6.7 percent dividend ratio as of late 2008, and more importantly, its 10-year dividend growth trend is at an amazing 17.82 percent.

RAI

Reynolds American boasts a 9.3% percent dividend yield, and has the stability and cash-on-hand to back up future dividend growth.

GE

Blue-chip General Electric offers the stability and security of a strong, long-term company, and a surprising dividend yield ratio of over 10 percent.

INTC

Although Intel, the PC chip manufacturer, only has a 3.7 percent yield rate (but still above the S&P 500 average), its 5-year dividend growth rate has been at an impressive 47 percent.

T

As the United States's most solid telecommunications player, AT&T is worthy of consideration as an investment, especially with its dividend yield ratio of about 6.5 percent, twice the S&P 500 average.

Resources

• Highest-Yielding S&P Stocks