Best Dividend Plays

Who says that only bonds can pay great dividends? The recent stock market drop has created some great opportunities for income investors. Investors can get yields from 3% and up on some of the country’s best companies. Here is a list of a few premium franchises that have become accidental high yielders. Oil giant Exxon (XOM) is paying investors a 3% yield. Philip Morris (PM) is currently paying investors a 4.5% dividend yield. Telecommunication companies AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) are paying a ridiculous 6.5% and 6.3% respectively. Hatteras Financial (HTS) and Annaly Capital (NLY) are paying 15.5% to investors in these government backed mortgage holding real estate investment trusts.