Dividends are an effective income generation tool for both short- and long-term investors. To capitalize on dividends, investors must ensure that they purchase the stock before the ex-dividend date and hold the stock through this period. Payments for dividends usually occur two to six weeks after the Ex-Date. For more information please check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.

1. Cincinnati Financial

Cincinnati Financial (CINF ) offers a dividend yield of 3.56% based on Thursday’s closing price of $51.65 and pays a dividend of $1.84. The stock is down 6.68% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Cincinnati Financial as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.5 (sector average is 3.6).

2. Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse Inc. (TXRH ) offers a dividend yield of 1.86% based on Thursday’s closing price of $36.65 and pays a dividend of $0.68. The stock is down 4.61% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Texas Roadhouse as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).

3. Vector Group

Vector Group (VGR ) offers a dividend yield of 7.15% based on Thursday’s closing price of $22.37 and pays a dividend of $1.60. The stock is down 6.79% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Vector Group as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.9).

4. Renasant Corp.

Renasant Corp. (RNST ) offers a dividend yield of 2.16% based on Thursday’s closing price of $31.41 and pays a dividend of $0.68. The stock is down 0.25% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Renasant as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.6).

5. Spartan Stores

Spartan Stores (SPTN ) offers a dividend yield of 1.70% based on Thursday’s closing price of $31.80 and pays a dividend of $0.54. The stock is down 5.58% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Spartan Stores as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).

6. Guess Inc.

Guess Inc. (GES ) offers a dividend yield of 4.46% based on Thursday’s closing price of $20.17 and pays a dividend of $0.90. The stock is down 30.01% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Guess as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.0 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).

7. Broadridge Financial Solutions

Broadridge Financial Solutions (BR ) offers a dividend yield of 2.04% based on Thursday’s closing price of $52.97 and pays a dividend of $1.08. The stock is down 5.04% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Broadridge as a “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).