These 10 Big-Name Stocks Are Going Ex-Dividend Next Week

Written by Timothy J. McIntosh

Ex-dividend dates are very important for dividend investors, as you must own a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to be entitled to its dividend and, next week, while a very busy week for most people it is typically not a busy week for the markets but below are 10 big-name stocks that will be going ex-dividend during that abbreviated work week.

1. The Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) is going ex-dividend on Friday, December 30.

• The apparel retailer currently offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.9% (compared to the industry average of 2.8%) and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.23.
• The stock will make its next dividend payout on January 25.
• Although the stock has been maintaining an attractive yield, it has not increased its dividend since the beginning of 2015...

2. Cardinal Health Inc (NYSE: CAH) will go ex-dividend on Thursday, December 29.

• The healthcare services company offers a dividend yield of about 2.5% (compared to the industry average of 1.6%).
• It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.4489 and will pay its next dividend on January 15.
• In May, Cardinal Health raised its dividend by 16%. It has been increasing its dividend every year since 2005...

3. Chubb Corp (NYSE: CB) will go ex-dividend on Wednesday, December 28.

• The insurance company offers a dividend yield of about 2%, which is a decent yield for investors, but below the industry average of 2.9%.
• The stock will pay its next $0.69 dividend on January 20.
• The company has a long history of paying and consecutively increasing its dividend, as it has been boosting its dividend every year for over 50 years...

4. Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is going ex-dividend on Wednesday, December 28.

• The farm machinery company currently has a dividend yield of 2.3%, above the industry average of 1%.
• The stock will pay its next $.60 dividend on February 1.
• The company has maintained its dividend payout since 2014...

5. Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE: BNS) will go ex-dividend on Thursday, December 29.   

• The bank currently offers a dividend yield over 5%, which is well above the industry average.
• Its next dividend of $0.74 will be paid on January 27.
• BNS is Canada's third largest bank and is available to U.S. investors on the New York Stock Exchange. It recently boosted its quarterly dividend from $0.5651...

6. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB) is going ex-dividend on Wednesday, December 28.

• The real estate investment trust (REIT) currently offers a quarterly payout of $1.35 and has a dividend yield of about 3%. It will pay its next dividend on January 16.
• On average, companies in the residential REIT industry offer a dividend yield of 6.2%, but do not all have stable dividends.
• We expect AVB to announce its next dividend payout in February, which may be an increase from its current payout.

7. Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP) will go ex-dividend on Wednesday, December 28.

• The Office REIT currently offers a dividend yield of 2.4%, compared to the industry average of 4%.
• The company will pay its next $0.75 quarterly dividend on January 30.
• BXP recently raises its dividend from $0.65 earlier this month.

8. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) is going ex-dividend on Wednesday, December 28.

• The industrial products company has a dividend yield around 2%, which is well above the industry average of 1.3%.
• The stock will pay its next $0.65 quarterly dividend on January 11.
• In August, ITW boosted its dividend 18% from $0.55.

9. Raytheon Co. (NYSE: RTN) will go ex-dividend on Friday, December 30.

• The aerospace defense company currency has a dividend yield of about 2%, which is in-line with its peers.
• The stock will pay its next $0.7325 dividend on February 2.
• Since 2005, the stock has been raising its dividend every year. We expect the stock's next dividend to be an increase.

10. Comcast Corporation (NYSE: CMCSA) is going ex-dividend on Friday, December 30.

• The media and communications company offers a dividend yield of about 1.55%, which is in-line with its peers.
• The stock will pay its next $0.2750 dividend on January 25.
• We expect the stock to announce a higher dividend payout when it declares its next dividend in February.