Vector Group Ltd (VGR)

[EZ2]

Looking to Replace Bonds? My List of 20 Dividend 'Over' Achievers


http://seekingalpha.com/article/254085-looking-to-replace-bonds-my-list-of-20-dividend-over-achievers?source=yahoo

The first stop for many dividend investors is the Dividend Aristocrats List, which highlights large cap, blue chip companies that have increased their dividends every year for at least the last 25 years. But with such difficult entry requirements, the list is short. Only slightly more than 40 companies are members, and once price and value are taken into account, the number of acceptable investments dwindles even further.

Enter the Dividend Achievers List, published by Mergent. A much broader list than the Aristocrats, the Achievers list is made up of US companies that have increased their yearly payouts for 10 or more years, and is not restricted to the S&P 500. The list includes blue chips, but also mid and small cap stocks, as well as REITs and MLPs. At over 200 companies, there are plenty of options for finding the next big play.

In order to narrow down the list, I've highlighted what I call the "Dividend Over Achievers". These 20 companies are the highest yielding of the group, and are a great starting point for further research.

1. Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) is a holding company. The company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States through its Liggett Group LLC (Liggett) and Vector Tobacco Inc., research relating to reduced risk cigarette products through its Vector Tobacco Inc., and the real estate business through its New Valley LLC. Yield 9.4%