Articate

Many investors like to buy stocks that pay high dividends every year, so with that in mind I thought it was worth listing the top 10 FTSE 100 companies that are set to pay the biggest dividends in 2011. Note this does not in any way constitute professional financial advice. I am simply listing these stocks for informational purposes only.

Okay so here is the list of the 10 FTSE 100 companies with the highest dividend yield in 2011 (based on the share prices at the start of 2011 and dividend data taken from Digital Look):

10. United Utilities – 5.3%

United Utilities are based in the north-west of England and they are a utility company that supply electricity and water.

9. BAE Systems – 5.4%

BAE Systems is a huge global engineering company in the defence sector that produces a variety of planes, weapons and equipment.

8. AstraZeneca – 5.6%

AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical giant that produces a range of products used to treat a wide variety of different illnesses and diseases.

7. Vodafone – 5.7%

Vodafone is a worldwide telecommunications company that has become one of the biggest and most successful mobile phone groups in the world.

6. Standard Life – 6.2%

Standard Life is an insurance company that offers a variety of services both here in the UK and in other countries around the world.

5. Scottish and Southern Energy – 6.3%

Scottish and Southern Energy is a utility company that supplies electricity and gas to homes in the UK.

4. Aviva – 6.8%

Aviva is the biggest insurance company in the UK, and also has interests in a few other European countries as well.

3. Resolution Ltd – 6.9%

Resolution Ltd is another UK-based insurance company, although it is somewhat of an investment vehicle having acquired Friends Provident and AXA Sun Life in recent years.

2. National Grid – 6.9%

National Grid is a utility company that provides gas and electricity to homes in the UK and Ireland, but also has global interests as well.

1. RSA Insurance – 7.3%

RSA Insurance (formerly Royal and Sun Alliance) is a general insurance company that has interests all over the world.