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. Aptar Group

Aptar Group (ATR ) offers a dividend yield of 1.79% based on Thursday’s closing price of $62.46 and pays a dividend of $1.12. The stock is down 9.04% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Aptar 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).

2. ADT Corp.

ADT Corp. (ADT ) offers a dividend yield of 2.59% based on Thursday’s closing price of $32.37 and pays a dividend of $0.84. The stock is down 24.51% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates ADT Corp. as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.5 (sector average is 3.7).

3. Nordic American Tankers

Nordic American Tankers (NAT ) offers a dividend yield of 9.73% based on Thursday’s closing price of $16.44 and pays a dividend of $1.60. The stock is down 5.79% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Nordic American Tankers as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 2.9 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.0 (sector average is 3.7).

4. Pacholder High Yield Fund Inc.

Pacholder High Yield Fund Inc. (PHF ) offers a dividend yield of 9.45% based on Thursday’s closing price of $6.77 and pays a dividend of $0.64. The stock is down 22.98% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com does not currently rate Pacholder High Yield Fund Inc.

5. Optical Cable Corporation

Optical Cable Corporation (OCC ) offers a dividend yield of 2.32% based on Thursday’s closing price of $3.45 and pays a dividend of $0.08. The stock is down 37.95% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com does not currently rate Optical Cable Corporation.

6. PSB Holdings Inc.

PSB Holdings Inc. Liquid error: internal offers a dividend yield of 1.93% based on Thursday’s closing price of $8.31 and pays a dividend of $0.16. The stock is down 9.67% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com does not currently rate PSB Holdings Inc.