Great Dividend Plays from Switzerland

Investors wary about the recent volatility in the market should focus on stocks that pay dividends, according to David Costa, dean of Robert Kennedy College in Zurich.

Investors should look at Adecco because it has international operations, modest growth and it is paying a decent dividend of over 2 percent, Costa told “Power Lunch Europe” Thursday.

It is unlikely the staffing company will lower its dividend in the near future, he added.

Despite the company being prone to the market movements, Adecco is well diversified and should not be as affected by the US slowdown.

Swisscom is another attractive investment, "because there is a perspective of an increase in the business, even if now is a particularly a good time, on the long-term I would see it rising," he said.

Shareholders at the telecommunications company's annual meeting in April approved a 2007 dividend of 18 francs a share and a special dividend of 2 francs a share compared with a total of 17 francs the previous year.

And Swiss insurer Helvetia Holding, which recently acquired an Italian insurance company, doubling its presence, is also a stock to look into as it has the potential to increase its dividend, which is already at a high of 6 percent.

© 2008 CNBC.com