What is the best dividend(publicly traded) paying stock for the U.S and Europe?.?

Question

List one for which you think is best for Europe and one for the U.S.

Thank You

Answer 1

Beware of stocks that are paying unusually high dividends. The reason is simple: Most dividends that are abnormally high (say 7%) is because the stock price has fallen preciptiously, and most likely the dividend is in jepardy of being cut or eliminated.
The best dividend yielding stocks are utilities, historically. Currently, VZ (Verizon) is an excellent dividend, with a good upside on the price potential.

Answer 2

You did not say the highest dividend paying stock. You said the best. Do you mean the best or the highest paying? There is a great deal of difference.

For best I have to choose possibly BAC in the U S. They increase their dividend each year. I have owned the stock for many years and the current dividend based on my initial purchase price is well over 12% and continuing to grow at a nice rate as is the price of the stock. There are many other bank stocks that also fall into that category.

European, I am not so well versed, but I would also almost be willing to bet it is a bank stock.

As for highest paying, last year 2006 I believe in the U S it was FUND, a closed end fund that paid 45%. It has been a very good investment vehicle for many years. There are many other closed end funds that paid nearly as well.