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%