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 five big-name stocks going ex-dividend on Friday, February 6.

1. American Electric Power

American Electric Power (AEP ) offers a dividend yield of 3.41% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $62.22 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 53 cents. Dividend.com currently rates AEP as "Neutral" with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Seagate Technology

Seagate Technology (STX ) offers a dividend yield of 3.60% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $59.93 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 54 cents. Dividend.com currently rates AEP as "Neutral" with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil (XOM ) offers a dividend yield of 3.02% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $91.46 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 69 cents. Dividend.com currently rates XOM as "Neutral" with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

4. IBM Corp

IBM Corp (IBM ) offers a dividend yield of 2.8% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $156.96 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of $1.10. Dividend.com currently rates IBM as "Neutral" with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

5. Linn Energy

Linn Energy (LINE ) offers a dividend yield of 10.75% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $11.63 and the company’s quarterly dividend payout of 10.42 cents. Dividend.com currently rates LINE as "Neutral" with a DARS™ rating of 3.1 stars out of 5 stars.