Top Dividend Stocks For 2012

Just because the economy is growing does not mean investors should abandon high-paying dividend stocks in favor of growth names, says Oliver Pursche, co-portfolio manager of GMG Defensive Beta Fund (MPDAX). "No one is saying you shouldn't own growth stocks. The point is that dividends are a key component of total return, so investing in high-quality, high dividend paying stocks that also have growth characteristics should do very well in 2012, just like it did in 2011," says Pursche.

Pursche specifically points to McDonald's(MCD_) as a company that fits his growth plus dividend criteria, as the fast-food purveyor continues to expand internationally without skimping on its dividend, now yielding 2.8%. The company's stock is up more than 35% in the past year, compared with domestically oriented Wendy's(WEN_), for example, which is up only 2% and yields 1.5%. And Pursche sees more room for Mickey D's to grow in 2012 even with a slowing Europe.

Source: The Street

Related Articles:
- These 11 Dividend Stocks Could Make You Wealthy
- 13 Dividend Stocks Headed In The Right Direction
- 12 Industrial Strength Dividend Stocks
- 10 Financial Services Dividend Stocks To Boost Your Yield
- Building Yield: 15 Consumer Goods Dividend Stocks