Six dividend funds currently rank among the 100 largest U.S. ETFs. Nearly 84% of S&P 500 constituents pay dividends while all 30 members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average pay dividends. Just last month, 3M (NYSE: MMM), Boeing (NYSE: BA) and General Electric (NYSE: GE) announced dividend increases.
At $11 billion, Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM), the largest U.S. oil company, was the Dow’s biggest dividend payer last year. AT&T (NYSE: T) was next at $9.84 billion followed by GE at $8.17 billion. [Dow Jones Industrial Average Year in Review]
“Just as important as the ability to pay is the resurrection of a friendlier atmosphere for total shareholder return. S&P Dow Jones Indices believes that this should translate into another strong, record setting dividend year for 2014 and a strong increase in share buybacks,” said Silverblatt.
Dividend Actions Since 2009
