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. Pfizer

Pfizer (PFE ) offers a dividend yield of 3.10% based on Monday’s closing price of $36.15 and pays a dividend of $1.12. The stock is down 0.85% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Pfizer as “Recommended”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.5 (sector average is 4.0).

2. Wal-Mart Stores

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT ) offers a dividend yield of 2.66% based on Monday’s closing price of $72.18 and pays a dividend of $1.92. The stock is down 20.66% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Wal-Mart Stores 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. Boeing Co.

Boeing Co. (BA ) offers a dividend yield of 2.53% based on Monday’s closing price of $143.69 and pays a dividend of $3.64. The stock is down 9.53% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Boeing 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. Intel Corp.

Intel Corp. (INTC ) offers a dividend yield of 3.30% based on Monday’s closing price of $29.05 and pays a dividend of $0.96. The stock is down 23.35% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Intel Corp. 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).

5. Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines (DAL ) offers a dividend yield of 1.18% based on Monday’s closing price of $45.73 and pays a dividend of $0.54. The stock is down 10.44% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Delta Airlines 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).

6. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo (WFC ) offers a dividend yield of 2.59% based on Monday’s closing price of $57.91 and pays a dividend of $1.50. The stock is down 1.45% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Wells Fargo as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.0 (sector average is 3.6).