Written by: Timothy J. McIntosh

For dividend investors, ex-dividend dates are important since you most own a stock before its ex-dividend date to qualify for the dividend.

The 7 big-name stocks going ex-dividend next week are:

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) will go ex-dividend on Tuesday, December 13.

  • The pharmaceutical company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.47 and has a dividend yield of 3.10%.
  • The company has been raising its dividend since 2012 and typically increases its dividend by about 2% a year…
  • Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) is going ex-dividend on Monday, December 12.

  • The self storage real estate investment trust (REIT) currently pays a quarterly dividend of $2.00 and offers a dividend yield of 3.75%.
  • The company has been increasing its dividend consecutively since 2010 by an average of 20% each year…
  • Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) will go ex-dividend on Tuesday, December  13.

  • The department store retailer currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.3775 and has a dividend yield of about 3.60%.  
  • The company has been raising its dividend every year since 2011, and typically offers significant raises…
  • Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ) is going ex-dividend on Monday, December 12.

  • The technology company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.1327 and has a dividend yield of 3.40%.
  • The company has been boosting its dividend every year since 2011, typically increasing its dividend by about 10%.
  • Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIAB) will go ex-dividend on Tuesday, December 13.

  • The media company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.20 and has a dividend yield of about 2.20%.
  • The company lowered its dividend from $0.40 earlier this year to free up cash and to pay down its debt…
  • Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) is going ex-dividend on Friday, December 16.

  • The jewelry company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.45 and has a dividend yield of approximately 2.15%.
  • The company has been increasing  its dividend each year since 2010. It typically raises its dividend by about 15%.