NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 29, 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 Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: [ AAPL ]) and Apollo Investment Corporation (NASDAQ: [ AINV ]). Access to the full company reports can be found at:
[ www.fivestarequities.com/AAPL ]
[ www.fivestarequities.com/AINV ]

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.

Earlier this month Apple Inc. reported that it will pay a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share, starting in its fiscal fourth quarter, which begins July 1. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that, with as much cash as Apple has on hand, a dividend won't restrain the company's options. "These decisions will not close any doors for us," he told analysts and reporters on a conference call. Apple presently sits on $97.6 billion in cash and securities.

Apollo Investment Corporation currently pays an annual dividend of 80 cents a share for a hefty yield of around 11.6 percent. Apollo Investment Corporation is a business development company and operates as a closed-end management investment company.

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