NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 30, 2012) - Dividend paying stocks have lagged the markets this year as U.S. economic data coupled with speculation European leaders will contain the region's debt crisis have pushed investors to riskier companies, Bloomberg reports. Despite the modest lag in the first three months of the year, S&P analysts argue that dividend payments are on the upswing as companies begin to show improving balance sheets. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for high yielding dividend paying companies and provides equity research on Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: [ PFE ]) & Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: [ KFT ]). Access to the full company reports can be found at:

[ www.fivestarequities.com/PFE ]

[ www.fivestarequities.com/KFT ]

Howard Silverblatt, S&P's senior index analyst, recently wrote a research note explaining that the Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies have never paid more dividends than now. Silverblatt said announced payouts imply an annual dividend rate of $29.02 per index share -- a 35 percent uptick since August 2009.

S&P data shows that S&P 500 companies are paying out 30 percent of profits, less than the average of 52 percent. The current S&P 500 dividend yield is approximately 1.96 percent.

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on dividend paying companies so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at [ www.fivestarequities.com ] and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

Pfizer presently pays an annual dividend of 88 cents a share for a yield of around four percent. Shares of the company got a boost this week after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts said the company may go beyond the divestiture plans it has already announced. Last year Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Ian Read said the company was exploring strategic alternatives for its animal health and nutrition businesses.

Kraft Foods pays an annual dividend of $1.16 per share for a yield of approximately three percent. Kraft Foods Inc. announced last week that its new global snacks company will be named Mondelez International Inc. Mondelez was inspired by the suggestions of two Kraft employees. It is intended to evoke the idea of a "delicious world" as "monde" is derived from the Latin word for "world" and "delez" as an expression of "delicious."

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