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

1. Advance Auto Parts

Advance Auto Parts (AAP ) offers a dividend yield of 0.15% based on Monday’s closing price of $158.32 and pays a dividend of $0.24. The stock is down 4.05% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Advance Auto Parts 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).

2. DSW Inc.

DSW Inc. (DSW ) offers a dividend yield of 2.29% based on Monday’s closing price of $35.01 and pays a dividend of $0.80. The stock is down 11.55% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates DSW Inc. as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.5 (sector average is 3.7).

3. Greif Inc.

Greif Inc. (GEF ) offers a dividend yield of 4.32% based on Monday’s closing price of $38.88 and pays a dividend of $1.68. The stock is down 30.22% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Greif Inc. as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.5 (sector average is 3.9).

4. Flower Foods

Flowers Foods Inc. (FLO ) offers a dividend yield of 2.69% based on Monday’s closing price of $21.58 and pays a dividend of $0.58. The stock is down 8.64% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Flowers Foods as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.9).

5. Chicago Bridge & Iron

Chicago Bridge & Iron (CBI ) offers a dividend yield of 0.53% based on Monday’s closing price of $52.77 and pays a dividend of $0.28. The stock is down 29.73% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Chicago Bridge & Iron as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.1 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.8).

6. Crown Castle International

Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI ) offers a dividend yield of 3.97% based on Monday’s closing price of $82.64 and pays a dividend of $3.28. The stock is down 7.59% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Crown Castle International as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.1 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.6).

7. Cohu Inc.

Cohu Inc. (COHU ) offers a dividend yield of 1.85% based on Monday’s closing price of $12.97 and pays a dividend of $0.24. The stock is down 6.29% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Cohu Inc. as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 2.9 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.5 (sector average is 3.6).