Dividends are an effective income generation tool for both short and long term investors. To capitalise 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 2-6 weeks after the Ex-Date. For more information please check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.

1. Aetna

Aetna (AET ) offers a dividend yield of 0.87% based on Friday’s closing price of $114.60 and pays a dividend of $1.00. The stock is down 14.73% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Aetna as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 4.0).

2. Idex Corp

Idex Corp (IEX ) offers a dividend yield of 1.66% based on Friday’s closing price of $77.20 and pays a dividend of $1.28. The stock is down 4.40% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Idex Corp as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.8).

3. FEI Company

FEI Company (FEIC ) offers a dividend yield of 1.47% based on Friday’s closing price of $81.58 and pays a dividend of $1.20. The stock is down 12.56% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates FEI Company 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).

4. Alamo Group

Alamo Group (ALG ) offers a dividend yield of 0.61% based on Friday’s closing price of $52.71 and pays a dividend of $0.32. The stock is down 18.22% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Alamo Group as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.8).

5. Kadant Inc

Kadant Inc. (KAI ) offers a dividend yield of 1.48% based on Friday’s closing price of $45.99 and pays a dividend of $0.68. The stock is down 18.30% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Kadant Inc. as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.8).

6. Goldcorp

Goldcorp (GG ) offers a dividend yield of 3.65% based on Friday’s closing price of $16.44 and pays a dividend of $0.60. The stock is down 44.55% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Goldcorp as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 2.8 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.0 (sector average is 3.7).