10 Big-Name Stocks Going Ex-Dividend Next Week (Dec 23-27)

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 23-27:

1. Altria

Altria Group Inc (MO) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 23. The tobacco company offers a dividend yield of 5.03% based on Wednesday's closing price of $38.16 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 48 cents. The stock is up 21% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates MO as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Phillip Morris

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 23. The tobacco company offers a dividend yield of 4.40% based on Wednesday's closing price of $85.48 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 94 cents. The stock is up 2% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates PM as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Kraft

Kraft Foods Group Inc (KRFT) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 24. The packaged foods company offers a dividend yield of 3.94% based on Wednesday's closing price of $53.34 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 52.5 cents. The stock is up 17% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates KRFT as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

4. Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 27. The industrial product maker offers a dividend yield of 2.07% based on Wednesday's closing price of $81.19 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 42 cents. The stock is up 34% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates ITW as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

5. Dow Chemical

Best Gold Companies To Watch For 2014

The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 27. The chemical company offers a dividend yield of 2.94% based on Wednesday's closing price of $43.51 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 32 cents. The stock is up 35% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates DOW as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. Avalon Bay

AvalonBay Communities Inc (AVB) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 27. The real estate investment trust offers a dividend yield of 3.58% based on Wednesday's closing price of $119.63 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of $1.07. The stock is down 11% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates AVB as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

7. Deere & Company

Deere & Company (DE) is set to trade ex-dividend on December 27. The agriculture machinery maker offers a dividend yield of 2.28% based on Wednesday's closing price of $89.41 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 45 cents. The stock is up 67% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates DE as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

7. U.S. Bancorp

U.S. Bancorp (USB