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. NiSource

NiSource (NI ) offers a dividend yield of 3.59% based on Monday’s closing price of $17.25 and pays a dividend of $0.62. The stock is down 10.71% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates NiSource 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. Alliant Energy

Alliant Energy (LNT ) offers a dividend yield of 3.65% based on Monday’s closing price of $60.25 and pays a dividend of $2.20. The stock is down 14.90% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Alliant Energy 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).

3. A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith (AOS ) offers a dividend yield of 1.09% based on Monday’s closing price of $69.97 and pays a dividend of $0.76. The stock is down 9.63% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates A. O. Smith 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).

4. Molson Coors

Molson Coors (TAP ) offers a dividend yield of 2.36% based on Monday’s closing price of $69.54 and pays a dividend of $1.64. The stock is down 12.17% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Molson Coors 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).

5. Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (TXN ) offers a dividend yield of 2.45% based on Monday’s closing price of $49.03 and pays a dividend of $1.20. The stock is down 18.27% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Texas Instruments as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.6).

6. Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (F ) offers a dividend yield of 4.12% based on Monday’s closing price of $14.55 and pays a dividend of $0.60. The stock is down 18.58% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Ford Motor Company as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.0 (sector average is 3.9).