Top 7 Dividend-Paying Stocks in the S&P 500

Questions about the direction of interest rates and economic conditions have brought many investors to dividend-paying stocks that promise healthy yields. Some stocks in the S&P 500 have higher dividends than others, but investing in secure firms also plays a role in selecting investments.

Traditional companies and rising enterprises present investors with many opportunities for profits. Here are seven top dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500 that could lead to great returns:

1. General Motors — The company that builds and designs vehicles for customers throughout North America, South America, and Europe is one of investor Warren Buffett’s favorite dividend-paying stocks in the S&P 500, according to TheStreet. With a yield of 4.8 percent, the automaker offers a quarterly dividend of 38 cents a share.

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2. Ford Motor Co. — The General Motors competitor has a 4.9-percent dividend, the Motley Fool reports. The carmaker also promises a secure dividend ahead, according to its CFO, Bob Shanks. Ford had a downturn, but there is potential for sales to rise for an increase in shares.

3. Coca-Cola — The international beverage corporation has been increasing dividends for the past 50 years, TheStreet notes. Paying quarterly dividends of 35 cents per share with a 3.2-percent yield, Coca Cola is another stock Buffet owns with about 400 million shares.

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4. Accenture — The consulting and technology services firm from Dublin, Ireland, has a yield of 2.1 percent and was named one of the best dividend stocks of the S&P 500 by Kiplinger. The stock increased in price significantly starting in late 2015, but Kiplinger maintains it will continue to provide higher returns.

5. Rockwell Automation — The factory software and equipment company has made great gains internationally, selling products to customers from Mexico to China. Disbursements increased by an average of 13 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to Kiplinger. The Milwaukee firm stock has a 2.1-percent yield.

6. HCP, Inc. — The real estate investment trust (REIT) reached nearly a 6-percent dividend yield in 2016, increasing for more than 30 years, according to the Motley Fool. HCP specializes in healthcare properties, including senior housing, nursing facilities, medical offices, and hospitals.

7. Iron Mountain — The REIT operates more than a thousand storage facilities and record management services throughout 41 countries. The company has reported growth in revenue for 26 straight years and foresees a dividend of $2.54 per share by 2020.

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