Bonds aren't yielding much of anything, but investors may find some solace and income in dividend-paying stocks.
However, the highest yielding stocks aren't necessarily the best income investments over time. Sprinkled within this list of big dividend payers are some companies whose income generating capabilities will persist, while others may be value or yield traps, where yields are rising because of a downward trend in stock price.
Can you tell which is which?
Here, according to FactSet, are the top S&P 500 dividend payers in 2021 as of Nov. 30.
No. 8 (tie) - IBM - 5.7%
No. 8 (tie) - Western Union - 5.7%
No. 8 (tie) - Exxon Mobil - 5.7%
No. 6 (tie) - Valero - 5.8%
No. 6 (tie) - Williams Companies - 5.8%
No. 3 - Kinder Morgan - 6.6%
