The top 10 highest dividend paying stocks 2011 is a list of the highest dividend yield stocks currently available. But, although dividend yield is very important as it’s a measure of how much you’ll be paid in dividends for each dollar you have invested in a corporation, it’s not the only criteria you should be looking at.
In addition to dividend yield, dividend history and dividend growth are also very important for stocks with high dividends if you’re looking for a longer term investment. High dividend yields are a good measure of the short term profit potential of a dividend paying stock but often extremely high dividend yields only last for a quarter or two before they’re reduced or cut altogether so be careful simply investing based on dividend yield alone.
That said, on to the top 10 highest dividend stocks 2011!
Highest Dividend Paying Stocks 2011
Invesco Mortgage Capital (IVR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that’s currently showing a dividend yield of 20.93%. Although not a traditional dividend paying stock, a REIT can give you valuable exposure outside the traditional corporate dividend structure.
Chimera Investment (CIM) is another real estate focused dividend payer with a current yield of 19.92%. Like IVR, CIM is a real estate investment trust as it invests in mortgages and mortgage backed securities.
American Capital Agency (AGNC) is a REIT that concentrates mortgages and mortgage backed securities that are backed by U.S. governmental agencies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Current dividend yield for AGNC is 19.92%.
Resource Capital (RSO) has a place among the highest paying dividend stocks 2011 due to its 18.69% yield. RSO focuses on commercial real estate and commercial real estate debt.
Our first non-real estate dividend stock is Teekay Tankers ( TNK) which owns large oil tankers and sports a dividend yield of 17.43%. Unfortunately, it’s headquartered in Bermuda so trading in TNK might be a little more difficult than in our other highest dividend paying stocks 2011.
Cypress Sharpridge Investments, Inc. (CYS) yields 17.13% and is another REIT that invests primarily in U.S. government backed agencies including Ginnie Mae. CYS is a leveraged REIT so extra care should be taken to make sure you understand your exposure and risk before investing.
CPI Corp (CPY) pays dividends at a 17.12% dividend yield. CPY runs professional photography portrait studios focusing on families. CPY operates over 1,000 studios in the United States including in Sears department stores as “Sears Portrait Studios”.
VOC Energy Trust (VOC) invests in oil and natural gas wells in the American west. As a trust, its 17.00% dividend yield is subject to a different tax treatment in terms of capital gains distributions in addition to its dividend distributions so be sure to research the complexities of investing in trusts before taking a position.
Alaska Communications Systems (ALSK) is a wireless and wired communications provider that operates exclusively in Alaska. ALSK has a dividend yield of 16.23% and has consistently been a high dividend payer over the past several years.
Cellcom Israel (CEL) is a cellular phone service provider in Isreal. Its 16.19% dividend yield might make up for the potential difficulties involved in trading this international stock that concludes our list of the top 10 highest dividend paying stocks 2011.
