Who would want to look for a stock that pays a dividend only twice a year rather than monthly or quarterly? There may be a few reasons.

Maybe an investor owns some corporate or municipal bonds, but wants some income coming in, plus growth potential, during the months that no bond income is coming in. Also, an investor may prefer to receive fewer larger checks as opposed to receiving smaller checks more often.

One thing that is interesting to note is that nine out of the top 10 semi-annual dividend stocks are foreign companies, which have American depositary shares, or ADRs, that trade in the U.S.

CPFL Energia (CPL) is a Brazil-based generator and distributor of electricity. It has paid dividends since 2005. The stock has a P/E ratio of 12 and a PEG ratio of 0.78. The stock pays a yield of 7.41%.

Ruby Tuesday (RT) is a casual dining restaurant operator. It has paid dividends since 1990. The stock has a P/E of 12 and a PEG of 0.91. The stock pays a yield of 6.17%.

Allied Irish Banks (AIB) is a Dublin, Ireland-based banking, investment banking, and asset management services company. Dividends have been paid since 2002. The stock has a P/E of 6 and a PEG of 0.34. The stock pays a yield of 7.46%.

Pearson PLC (PSO) is a publisher of textbooks and testing and software services. It has been paying dividends since 2001. The stock has a P/E of 18 and a PEG of 2.00. The stock pays a yield of 6.01%.

Westpac Banking Corp (WBK) is an Australia-based banking and financial services company. It has paid dividends since 1989. The stock has a P/E of 11 and a PEG of 1.28. The stock pays a yield of 5.14%.

Barclays PLC (BCS) is in the business of banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. It has paid semi-annual dividends since 1087. The stock has a P/E of 7 and a PEG of 0.56. The stock pays a yield of 10.17%.

Tomkins PLC (TKS) is in the business of engineering and manufacturing transmission products, fluid power products, axles and wheels, frames, trailers, automotive accessories and grease guns. It has paid dividends since 1992. The stock has a P/E of 9 and a PEG of 1.71. The stock pays a yield of 9.40%.

ING Groep N.V. (ING) is a Dutch banking, investments, life insurance, and retirement services company. Dividends have been paid since 1997. The stock has a P/E of 6 and a PEG of 0.95. The stock pays a yield of 6.74%.

Lloyds TSB Group PLC (LYG) is a large British banking company. It has paid dividends since 2002. The stock has a P/E of 8 and a PEG of 1.31. The stock pays a yield of 8.45%.

Bank of Ireland (IRE) is an Ireland-based provider of banking and financial services. The stock has a P/E of 5 and a PEG of 0.28. The stock pays a yield of 5.03%.

By the way, if you are looking for tax-free dividends, check out Top Tax-Exempt Dividend Stocks. I've also recently written articles about Stocks That Pay Monthly and the highest-yielding Stocks That Pay Quarterly.


By Stockerblog.com

Author does not own any of the above.