Historical Precedent Suggests 5 Dividend Stocks Are Safe – (EXPD, IMO, CFR, ESS, ACE)

Is there any way to simplify investors search for a list of relatively stable stocks paying decent dividends? Everyone knows it is getting hard for investors to find income. With interest rates floating at next to nothing and notes yield declining, investors seeking cash payments from their investments are being pushed to become more creative. Investors can have many asset classes that can generate income. However, for several investors, stocks that pay dividend remain a top choice.

Investors are more attracted to the fact that dividend-paying stocks not only make regular cash payments, but the companies distributing the cash may also list the dividend. But picking these kind of stocks can be tricky business. One should always keep in mind that companies hold the right to cancel the dividend at any time. Five stocks discussed below have not been just paying but also raising dividends since 1995.

Expeditors International of Washington (NASDAQ:EXPD) annual dividend yield stands at 1.55% and maintains a dividend payout ratio of 28.56%. The stock has a dividend of $0.56 annually. EXPD shares traded in the range of $35.49 – $48.51 in the last 52 weeks. EXPD provides logistics services in the United States and internationally.

Imperial Oil Limited (USA) (NYSE:IMO) engages in the exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. Imperial Oil Limited pays a dividend of $0.47 annually. The company has an annual dividend yield of 1.07% and has a dividend payout ratio at 10.35%. Shares of IMO have been floating in the range of $32.18 – $49.32 in the last 52 weeks.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc (NYSE:CFR) has an annual dividend of $1.92 while keeping its dividend yield at 3.46%. Shares of CFR have been trading in the range of $43.57 – $61.11 in last 52 weeks. CFR operates as the holding company for The Frost National Bank that offers commercial and consumer banking, and other financial products and services primarily in Texas.

Essex Property Trust Inc (NYSE:ESS) operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust in the United States. Essex Property Trust Inc pays a dividend of $4.40 annually. The stock has an annual dividend yield of 2.79% and maintains a dividend payout ratio of 393.63%. Shares of ESS have been floating in the range of $111.25 – $161.53 in the last 52 weeks.

ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE) shares have been trading in the range of $56.90 – $77.42 in the last 52 weeks. The company pays a dividend of $1.96 annually and has a dividend payout ratio of 29.85%. The stock maintains an annual dividend yield of 2.66%. ACE through its subsidiaries, provides a range of insurance and reinsurance products worldwide.

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the authors who have no stake in any stocks mentioned, and hold no plan to acquire any stake within the next 5 days.