1.   Do they return the money to shareholders through higher dividends or repay debt?

2.   So returns will be more stable on a share with a higher dividend yield, other things being equal.

3.   However, these defects were largely solved by Litzenberger and Ramaswamy who concluded that risk-adjusted returns are higher for those securities offering higher dividend yields.

4.   Analysts called the outcome a surprise because MidAmerican offered more per share and a higher dividend.

5.   Analysts say that, if approved, banks will jump to issue preferred shares, or those that pay shareholders higher dividends with fewer voting rights.

6.   Analysts say they also expect Ford to consider a higher dividend and a share buyback program among other measures to boost shareholder value.

7.   And because preferreds do not return any principal, they generally yield higher dividends than do bonds.

8.   And Makovich said a higher dividend was possible.

9.   Banks are also paying higher dividends than many other companies, said Mayo, the analyst.

10.   Bank and utilities stocks become even more attractive compared with fixed-income investments because they are often purchased for their relatively higher dividends.