10 Big Name Stocks Going Ex-Dividend Next Week (Dec 2-6)

Ex-dividend dates are very important to dividend investors, since you must purchase a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to receive its upcoming dividend payout. For more information, check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates

Below we highlight 10 big-name stocks going ex-dividend for the week of December 2-6.

1. Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 4. The discount retailer offers a dividend yield of 2.33% based on Tuesday's closing price of $80.68 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 47 cents. The stock is up 18% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates WMT as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Travelers

Travelers Companies Inc (TRV) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 6. The insurance company offers a dividend yield of 2.20% based on Tuesday's closing price of $90.79 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 50 cents. The stock is up 27% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates TRV as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Occidental Petroleum

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 6. The oil and gas company offers a dividend yield of 2.62% based on Tuesday's closing price of $97.63 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 64 cents. The stock is up 28% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates OXY as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

4. UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 4. The healthcare company offers a dividend yield of 1.50% based on Tuesday's closing price of $74.52 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 28 centd. The stock is up 38% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates UNH as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

5. PepsiCo

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Own For 2014

PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 4. The beverage company offers a dividend yield of 2.69% based on Tuesday's closing price of $84.39 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 56.75 cents. The stock is up 24% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates PEP as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly Clark Corp (KMB) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 4. The consumer products company offers a dividend yield of 3.00% based on Tuesday's closing price of $108.13 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 81 cents. The stock is up 29% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates KMB as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

7. Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc. (