10 Big-Name Stocks Going Ex-Dividend Next Week (Mar 10-14)

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 March 10-14.

1. Altria

Altria Group (MO) is set to trade ex-dividend on March 12. The tobacco company offers a dividend yield of 5.20% based on Wednesday's closing price of $36.95 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 48 cents. The stock is down 3% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates MO as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is set to trade ex-dividend on March 12. The beverage company offers a dividend yield of 3.18% based on Wednesday's closing price of $38.35 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 30.5 cents. The stock is down 7% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates KO as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is set to trade ex-dividend on March 13. The drug company offers a dividend yield of 3.09% based on Wednesday's closing price of $56.88 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 44 cents. The stock is up 13% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates MRK as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

4. Home Depot

The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) is set to trade ex-dividend on March 11. The home improvement retailer offers a dividend yield of 2.27% based on Wednesday's closing price of $82.91 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 47 cents. The stock is up 1% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates HD as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

5. Viacom

Viacom, Inc. (VIAB) is set to trade ex-dividend on March 12. The media company offers a dividend yield of 1.38% based on Wednesday's closing price of $87.13 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 30 cents. The stock has been mostly flat year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates VIAB as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. General Motors

General Motors Company (GM) is set to trade ex-dividend on March 14. The auto maker offers a dividend yield of 3.20% based on Wednesday's closing price of $37.52 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 30 cents. The stock is down 7% year-to-date. Div