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 25-29, 2013:

1. Kraft

Kraft Foods Group Inc (KRFT) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The packaged food maker, famous for its Oreo, Oscar Mayer, and Nabisco brands, offers a dividend yield of 3.88% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $51.51 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 50 cents per share. The stock is up 14.21% since the company was split from its international operations in October 2012. Dividend.com currently rates KRFT as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The global cigarette and tobacco company offers a dividend yield of 3.72% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $91.42 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 85 cents per share. The stock is up 6.54% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates PM as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Deere & Co.

Deere & Company (DE) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The agricultural machinery manufacturer, also known as John Deere, offers a dividend yield of 2.33% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $87.74 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 51 cents per share. The stock is up 5.43% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates DE as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

4. Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The multinational industrial products maker offers a dividend yield of 2.41% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $63.16 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 38 cents per share. The stock is up 9.07% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates ITW as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

5. U.S. Bancorp

U.S. Bancorp (USB) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The financial services holding company, known for its U.S. Bank operation, offers a dividend yield of 2.30% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $33.93 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 19.5 cents per share. The stock is up 7.2% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates USB as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. PG&E Corp

PG&E Corporation (PCG) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The San Francisco-based electric and gas utility company offers a dividend yield of 4.15% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $43.88 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 45.5 cents per share. The stock is up 1.36% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates PCG as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

7. Dow Chemical

The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The Midland, Michigan-based chemical company offers a dividend yield of 3.83% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $33.44 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 32 cents per share. The stock is down 5.27% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates DOW as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 stars out of 5 stars.

8. Staples

Staples Inc. (SPLS) is set to trade ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 26. The officer supplies retailer offers a dividend yield of 3.55% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $13.51 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 12 cents per share. The stock is down 17.75% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates SPLS as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.1 stars out of 5 stars.

9. State Street

State Street Corporation (STT) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 27. The financial services company, which caters to institutional investors, offers a dividend yield of 1.72% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $60.53 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 26 cents per share. The stock is up 32.28% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates STT as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

10. Dell

Dell Inc. (DELL) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 27. The PC maker offers a dividend yield of 2.23% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $14.33 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 8 cents per share. The stock is down 17.17% over the past year. Dividend.com currently rates DELL as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 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.