This year has been up and down by almost every financial measure, but that hasn't stopped some companies from standing out in terms of dividends.

The top 20 dividend-paying stocks, based on closing prices on Monday, included oil and energy companies, communications giants, and technology leaders, according to FactSet, a research firm.

Some of the companies saw dramatic changes in their price-to-earnings ratio this year compared to their five-year averages, including Frontier Communications Corporation, 358.7x this year compared to a five-year average of 24.5x; HCP Inc., at 48.8x this year versus a five-year average of 22.5x; and ConocoPhillips, which went the other way at -81.5x this year compared to a five-year average of 17.3x.

The following companies, in ascending order, had the top dividend yields:

20. National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV)

Dividend yield: 4.9 %
Free cash flow yield: 6.5%
FY 1 P/E: 12.7x
Short interest: 9.3%

19. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. (HST)

Dividend yield: 4.91%
Free cash flow yield: 9.6%
FY 1 P/E: 23.3x
Short interest: 5.5%

18. Helmerich & Payne Inc. (HP)

Dividend yield: 5.01%
Free cash flow yield: 2.8%
FY 1 P/E: 18.3x
Short interest: 14.4%

17. Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR)

Dividend yield: 5.03%
Free cash flow yield: -20.9%
FY 1 P/E: 8.2x
Short interest: 7.4%

16. CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP)

Dividend yield: 5.27%
Free cash flow yield: 4.3%
FY 1 P/E: 17.9x
Short interest: 2.7%

15. Spectra Energy Corp. (SE)

 

Dividend yield: 5.27%
Free cash flow yield: 1.5%
FY 1 P/E: 23.9x
Short interest: 3.8%

14. Seagate Technology PLC (STX)

Dividend yield: 5.46%
Free cash flow yield: 16.2%
FY 1 P/E: 10.9x
Short interest: 10.8%

13. AT&T Inc. (T)

 

Dividend yield: 5.59%
Free cash flow yield: 6.8%
FY 1 P/E: 12.5x
Short interest: 2.1%

12. ConocoPhillips (COP)

Dividend yield: 5.59%
Free cash flow yield: -5.9%
FY 1 P/E: 81.5x
Short interest: 2.9%

11. Ventas Inc. (VTR)

Dividend yield: 5.74%
Free cash flow yield: 7.4%
FY 1 P/E: 36.5x
Short interest: 2.6%

10. Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)

Dividend yield: 5.79%
Free cash flow yield: 2.7%
FY 1 P/E: 15.7x
Short interest: 6.2%

9. HCP Inc. (HCP)

Dividend yield: 5.86%
Free cash flow yield: 6.9%
FY 1 P/E: 48.8x
Short interest: 3.6%

8. Iron Mountain Inc. (IRM)

Dividend yield: 6.1%
Free cash flow yield: 2.2%
FY 1 P/E: 26.3x
Short interest: 6.2%

7. Mattel Inc. (MAT)

Dividend yield: 6.21%
Free cash flow yield: NA
FY 1 P/E: 19.6x
Short interest: 20.8%

6. Williams Companies Inc. (WMB)

Dividend yield: 6.81%
Free cash flow yield: -3.6%
FY 1 P/E: 54.3x
Short interest: 2.1%

5. ONEOK Inc. (OKE)

Dividend yield: 7.11%
Free cash flow yield: -7%
FY 1 P/E: 23.8x
Short interest: 3.5%

4. Kinder Morgan Inc. Class P (KMI)

Dividend yield: 7.4%
Free cash flow yield: 0.9%
FY 1 P/E: 39.9x
Short interest: 2.5%

3. CenturyLink Inc. (CTL)

Dividend yield: 7.63%
Free cash flow yield: 14.1%
FY 1 P/E: 10.9x
Short interest: 6%

2. Frontier Communications Corporation 9 (FTR)

Dividend yield: 7.81%
Free cash flow yield: 7.5%
FY 1 P/E: 358.7x
Short interest: 14.7%

1. Progressive Corporation (PGR)

Dividend yield: 8.26%
Free cash flow yield: NA
FY 1 P/E: 16.8x
Short interest: 3.2%