Biggest Dividend Yields of the S&P 500

Especially in volatile times, dividends can be a way for investors to more effectively safeguard returns.  Many publicly held corporations pay out a portion of their  earnings to shareholders, giving investors a payback whether the stock price goes up or down.  Cramer's Rule Number Four in his "15 Rules for Playing Defense" calls these "buffers."

Calculated as a percentage of share price, dividends have the potential to be cut or changed and yields vary as share prices fluctuate. For the purposes of this report, dividend yield calculations are based on trailing dividends, so dividend cuts yet to occur have not been taken into account. In fact, the #1 company on this list announced a cut in its dividend earlier this year, from $1 to $0.75, but in all likelihood it would remain in the top spot, given its current share price. 

Be sure to check whether a dividend is set to change or if new announcements come out regarding changes before you buy, as they occur at a company's discretion. Often, a dividend yield that is too high may be more of a warning sign than an opportunity.

So, what are the biggest dividend yields on the S&P 500? Click ahead to find out!

By Ariel Nelson and Paul Toscano
Posted 13 Oct 2009

Dividend Yield: 6.23%
Closing Price (10/13): 43.67

52 Week High: 49.07
52 Week Low: 25.86

Get HCN Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.28%
Closing Price (10/13): 29.31

52 Week High: 35.14
52 Week Low: 14.26

Get HCP Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.32%
Closing Price (10/13): 33.25

52 Week High: 35.13
52 Week Low: 22.32

Get PNW Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.33%
Closing Price (10/13): 25.9

52 Week High: 30.65
52 Week Low: 21.44

Get T Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.55%
Closing Price (10/13): 29.02

52 Week High: 34.9
52 Week Low: 24.26

Get VZ Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.59%
Closing Price (10/13): 13.97

52 Week High: 14.14
52 Week Low: 7.79

Get NI Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.6%
Closing Price (10/13): 37.59

52 Week High: 41.32
52 Week Low: 31.35

Get PGN Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.24%
Closing Price (10/13): 14.91

52 Week High: 22.48
52 Week Low: 10.07

Get POM Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.51%
Closing Price (10/13): 18.06

52 Week High: 20.74
52 Week Low: 13.34

Get MO Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.68%
Closing Price (10/13): 46.86

52 Week High: 50
52 Week Low: 31.55

Get RAI Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.69%
Closing Price (10/13): 35.38

52 Week High: 50.28
52 Week Low: 19.44

Get TEG Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 8.4%
Closing Price (10/13): 3.81

52 Week High: 4.87
52 Week Low: 2.10

Get Q Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 8.4%
Closing Price (10/13): 33.34

52 Week High: 40
52 Week Low: 20.45

Get CTL Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 9.99%
Closing Price (10/13): 10.01

52 Week High: 10.39
52 Week Low: 6.28

Get WIN Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 13.37%
Closing Price (10/13): 7.48

52 Week High: 9.95
52 Week Low: 5.32

Get FTR Real Time Quote