The Dividend Daily

Ex-dividend dates are very important to dividend investors, since you must purchase a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to receive its upcoming dividend payout. Below are 10 big-name stocks going ex-dividend for the week of February 4-8, 2013.

1. MetLife

Metlife Inc. (MET) has an ex-dividend date of February 4. The New York-based insurance and financial services company has a dividend yield of 1.99% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $37.18. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 18.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates MET as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Starbucks

Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) is set to trade ex-dividend on February 5. The retail coffee giant has a dividend yield of 1.50% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $56.15. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates SBUX as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Intel

Intel Corp. (INTC) has an ex-dividend date of February 5. The large semiconductor and microprocessor maker has a dividend yield of 4.25% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $21.16. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates INTC as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

4. Costco

Costco Wholesale Corporation  (COST) has an ex-dividend date of February 6. The discount warehouse retailer offers a dividend yield of 1.07% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $102.52. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 27.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates COST as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

5. IBM

International Business Machines Corp.  (IBM) is set to trade ex-dividend on February 6. The information technology giant offers a dividend yield of 1.67% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $203.34. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 85 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates IBM as “Neutral” with an DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. Charles Schwabb

Charles Schwabb Corp.  (SCHW) has an ex-dividend date of February 6. The San Francisco-based discount brokerage and financial services company has a dividend yield of 1.46% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $16.47. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 6 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates SCHW as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

7. Apple

Apple Inc.  (AAPL) has an ex-dividend date of February 7. The iPhone and iPad maker  offers a dividend yield of 2.33% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $455.64. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share. Dividend.com currently rates AAPL as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

8. Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) has an ex-dividend date of February 7. The supermajor oil company offers a dividend yield of 2.53% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $90.25. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 57 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates XOM as “Neutral” with a DARS rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

9. Dunkin’ Brands

Dunkin Brands Group Inc. (DNKN) is set to trade ex-dividend on February 7. The parent of Dunkin Donuts and Baskin-Robbins has a dividend yield of 2.09% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $36.28. The company will be paying a quarterly dividned of 19 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates DNKN as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

10. US Steel

United States Steel Corporation (X) has an ex-dividend date of February 8. The Pittsburgh-based steel producer has a dividend yield of 0.90% based on Thursday’s intraday trading price of $22.25. The company will be paying a quarterly dividend of 5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates X as “Neutral” with a DARS rating of 2.9 stars out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.