Below are some of the top dividend stocks going ex-dividend during the week of January 31 – February 3.

Written by Timothy J. McIntosh

1. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) will go ex-dividend on Wednesday, February 1.

The pharmaceutical company currently offers a dividend yield of approximately 4%, which is well above the industry average of 2.15%. Pfizer will pay its next $0.32 dividend on March 1.

Last month, Pfizer 1.  by 7%. It has been increasing its dividend every year since 2010.

2. Metlife Inc. (NYSE: MET) is going ex-dividend on Thursday, February 2.

The life insurance company currently offers a dividend yield of about 2.9%, compared to the industry average of 1.9%. The stock will pay its next $0.40 dividend on March 13.

Metlife has been raising its dividend every year since 2013. If the company continues this trend, it is likely that is next dividend, which will be announced in April, should be higher.

3. Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC) will go ex-dividend on Wednesday, February 1.

The financial services offers a dividend yield of 2.8%, which is slightly above the average of its peers. The company will pay its next $0.38 on March 1.

Wells Fargo has been consistently raising its dividend since 2012. If this continues into 2017, it is likely that the stock will raise its dividend after its next announcement in April.

4. Paychex, Inc. (NYSE: PAYX) is going ex-dividend on Monday, January 30.

The staffing services company currently has a dividend yield of 3%, which is well above the average among its peers. It will pay its next $0.46 dividend on February 15.

Paychex has been raising its dividend every year since 2011. It is likely that the company will announce its annual dividend increase in July.

5. Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO)  will go ex-dividend on Monday, January 30.

The Canadian bank  currently has a dividend yield of about 4.65%, which is above the average yield of foreign banks, which is approximately 3%. The stock will pay its next $0.88 on February 28.