The Best Yielding Ex-Dividend Stocks On March 13, 2013

Buying stocks before the ex-dividend date is simple. If you buy a stock before the ex-dividend date and hold them, you will receive the next dividend. Buying high yielding stocks is not a one way strategy to high returns.

In addition to high returns, the valuation should be fair. This is the main reason why I screen every day tomorrow’s best ex-dividend stocks by yield and market capitalization.

A full list of all stocks with payment dates can be found here: Ex-Dividend Stocks March 13, 2013. In total, 138 stocks and preferred shares go ex dividend - of which 52 yield more than 3 percent. The average yield amounts to 4.10%.

The ex-dividend date is a major date related to the payment of dividends. If you purchase a stock on its ex-dividend date or later, you will not receive the next dividend payment. Instead, the seller gets the dividend. If you purchase before the ex-dividend date, you get the dividend. It is important that your broker settles your trade before the ex-dividend date.

These are the results of the highest yielding ex-dividend stocks:

Total SA (TOT) has a market capitalization of $121.70 Billion and operates within the Major Integrated Oil & Gas industry.

The Total SA stock has a current operating margin of 12.70% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 0.48. Earnings per share are expected to grow by -2.56% for the next year and 4.70% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 8.45, Forward P/E Ratio: 7.95, P/S Ratio: 0.52, P/B Ratio: 1.23, Dividend Yield: 5.33%.

Altria Group (MO) has a market capitalization of $68.86 Billion and operates within the Cigarettes industry.

The Altria Group Inc. stock has a current operating margin of 25.91% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 4.38. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 7.53% for the next year and 7.00% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 16.63, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.33, P/S Ratio: 2.80, P/B Ratio: 21.96, Dividend Yield: 5.14%.

BCE (BCE) has a market capitalization of $35.64 Billion and operates within the Telecom Services - Domestic industry.

The BCE, Inc. stock has a current operating margin of 19.41% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 1.15. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 4.00% for the next year and 1.80% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 13.97, Forward P/E Ratio: 14.78, P/S Ratio: 1.83, P/B Ratio: 2.64, Dividend Yield: 4.92%.

Shaw Communications (SJR) has a market capitalization of $10.71 Billion and operates within the CATV Systems industry.

The Shaw Communications, Inc. stock has a current operating margin of 26.60% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 1.31. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 2.50% for the next year and 6.37% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 14.61, Forward P/E Ratio: 14.52, P/S Ratio: 2.19, P/B Ratio: 2.81, Dividend Yield: 4.13%.

Encana Corporation (ECA) has a market capitalization of $14.32 Billion and operates within the Major Integrated Oil & Gas industry.

The Encana Corporation stock has a current operating margin of -93.62% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 1.45. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 106.67% for the next year and 57.00% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: -, Forward P/E Ratio: 15.70, P/S Ratio: 2.78, P/B Ratio: 2.71, Dividend Yield: 4.11%.

Merck & Co. (MRK) has a market capitalization of $131.96 Billion and operates within the Drug Manufacturers - Major industry.

The Merck & Co. Inc. stock has a current operating margin of 19.53% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 0.39. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 4.68% for the next year and 3.34% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 20.12, Forward P/E Ratio: 11.49, P/S Ratio: 2.79, P/B Ratio: 2.49, Dividend Yield: 3.94%.

Rogers Communications (RCI) has a market capitalization of $25.15 Billion and operates within the Wireless Communications industry.

The Rogers Communications Inc. stock has a current operating margin of 22.15% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 2.86. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 4.10% for the next year and 9.67% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 15.11, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.60, P/S Ratio: 2.07, P/B Ratio: 6.86, Dividend Yield: 3.46%.

Cenovus Energy (CVE) has a market capitalization of $24.10 Billion and operates within the Oil & Gas Drilling & Exploration industry.

The Cenovus Energy Inc. stock has a current operating margin of 10.55% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 0.48. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 6.50% for the next year and 12.15% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 25.13, Forward P/E Ratio: 13.88, P/S Ratio: 1.47, P/B Ratio: 2.53, Dividend Yield: 2.94%.

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) has a market capitalization of $175.19 Billion and operates within the Beverages - Soft Drinks industry.

The The Coca-Cola Company stock has a current operating margin of 22.45% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 0.99. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 8.88% for the next year and 8.95% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 19.95, Forward P/E Ratio: 16.87, P/S Ratio: 3.65, P/B Ratio: 5.36, Dividend Yield: 2.85%.

British American Tobacco (BTI) has a market capitalization of $104.46 Billion and operates within the Cigarettes industry.

The British American Tobacco plc stock has a current operating margin of 35.63% and the debt to equity ratio amounts to 1.43. Earnings per share are expected to grow by 35.10% for the next year and 9.70% for the upcoming five years.

These are the market ratios of the company: P/E Ratio: 18.42, Forward P/E Ratio: 18.54, P/S Ratio: 4.61, P/B Ratio: 9.38, Dividend Yield: 2.50%.