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. Pepsi Co.

Pepsi Co. (PEP ) offers a dividend yield of 3.02% based on Monday’s closing price of $92.93 and pays a dividend of $2.81. The stock is down 7.77% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Pepsi Co. as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 5.0 (sector average is 3.9).

2. Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls (JCI ) offers a dividend yield of 2.53% based on Monday’s closing price of $41.14 and pays a dividend of $1.04. The stock is down 24.54% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Johnson Controls 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. Gannett

Gannett (GCI ) offers a dividend yield of 4.88% based on Monday’s closing price of $13.11 and pays a dividend of 64 cents. The stock is down 11.12% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Gannett as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 3.5 (sector average is 3.7).

4. CBOE Holdings

CBOE Holdings (CBOE ) offers a dividend yield of 1.45% based on Monday’s closing price of $63.26 and pays a dividend of 92 cents. The stock is down 6.97% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates CBOE Holdings 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).

5. Kimberly Clark

Kimberly Clark (KMB ) offers a dividend yield of 3.30% based on Monday’s closing price of $106.53 and pays a dividend of $3.52. The stock is down 10.49% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates Kimberly Clark as “Neutral”, with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars and a dividend reliability of 4.5 (sector average is 3.9).

6. China Mobile

China Mobile (CHL ) offers a dividend yield of 2.96% based on Monday’s closing price of $59.82 and pays a dividend of $1.77. The stock is down 20.79% from its 52-week high. Dividend.com currently rates China Mobile 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).