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. For more information, check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.

Below we highlight 10 big-name stocks going ex-dividend for the week of March 11-15, 2013:

1. News Corp

News Corporation (NWSA) is set to trade ex-dividend on Monday, March 11. The media and entertinament giant, parent of Fox and The Wall Street Journal, among others, offers a dividend yield of 0.57%  based on Wednesday’s closing price of $29.87 and its quarterly dividend payout of 8.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates NWSA as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) is set to trade ex-dividend on Monday, March 11. The embattled tech company offers a dividend yield of 2.53% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $20.93 and its quarterly dividend payout of 13.2 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates HPQ as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 2.9 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Home Depot

The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 12. The home improvement retail giant offers a dividend yield of 2.21% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $70.48 and its quarterly dividend payout of 39 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates HD as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

4. Altria Group

Altria Group Inc. (MO) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The tobacco holding company that owns Philip Morris offers a dividend yield of 5.16% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $34.13 and its quarterly dividend payout of 44 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates MO as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

5. Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company offers a dividend yield of 3.94% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $43.68 and its quarterly dividend payout of 43 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates MRK as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. Macy’s

Macy’s, Inc. (M) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The department store operator offers a dividend yield of 1.95% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $41.08 and its quarterly dividend payout of 20 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates M as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

7. Viacom

Viacom, Inc. (VIAB) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The media and entertainment company offers a dividend yield of 1.82% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $60.34 and its quarterly dividend payout of 27.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates VIAB as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

8. UnitedHealth Group 

UnitedHealth Gorup Inc. (UNH) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The Minnesota-based health care company offers a dividend yield of 1.59% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $53.61 and its quarterly dividend payout of 21.25 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates UNH as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

9. Dr. Pepper Snapple Group

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The producer of beverages like Dr. Pepper, Snapple, RC Cola, and Hawaiian Punch offers a dividend yield of 3.44% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $44.18 and its quarterly dividend payout of 38 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates DPS as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

10. Coca-Cola Co.

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 13. The world’s largest beverage company offers a dividend yield of 2.87% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $39.02 and its quarterly dividend payout of 28 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates KO as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 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.