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. Qualcomm Inc.

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM ) offers a dividend yield of 3.35% based on Thursday’s closing price of $57.36 and pays a dividend of $1.92. The stock is down 26.96% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Qualcomm Inc. 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).

2. BlackRock Inc.

BlackRock Inc. (BLK ) offers a dividend yield of 2.77% based on Thursday’s closing price of $314.47 and pays a dividend of $8.72. The stock is down 17.86% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Blackrock Inc. as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.5 (sector average is 3.6).

3. Schlumberger Ltd.

Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB ) offers a dividend yield of 2.71% based on Thursday’s closing price of $73.85 and pays a dividend of $2.00. The stock is down 33.37% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Schlumberger Ltd. 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).

4. Halliburton

Halliburton (HAL ) offers a dividend yield of 1.89% based on Thursday’s closing price of $38.04 and pays a dividend of $0.72. The stock is down 44.27% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Halliburton as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).

5. Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes (BHI ) offers a dividend yield of 1.27% based on Thursday’s closing price of $53.75 and pays a dividend of $0.68. The stock is down 23.77% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Baker Hughes as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).

6. TAL International Group

TAL International Group (TAL ) offers a dividend yield of 16.24% based on Thursday’s closing price of $17.73 and pays a dividend of $2.88. The stock is down 61.38% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates TAL as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.2 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.0 (sector average is 3.7).