9 Stocks That Prove Dividends Make All the Difference (Update1)

9. Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK)

Company profile: Bank of the Ozarks, with a market value of $1 billion, offers traditional banking services and has about 25 banking offices in Arkansas.

Dividend Yield: 1.38%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 8.2% this year and have a five-year, average annual return of 18.4%, so $10,000 invested five years ago would be worth $23,814 now. Analysts give its shares nine "hold" ratings, according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

8. Nordson (NDSN)

Company profile: Nordson, with a market value of $3.5 billion, manufactures automated equipment used to apply adhesives, sealants, and coatings during manufacturing processes.

Dividend Yield: 0.92%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 33% this year and have a five-year, average annual return of 19.3%, which means $10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth $25,114. Analysts give its shares one "buy/hold," rating and seven "holds," according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

7. Raven (RAVN)

Company profile: Raven, with a market value of $1 billion, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial products, including flow controls, engineered films, and electronic systems.

Dividend Yield: 1.33%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 2.2% this year and have a five-year, average annual return of almost 20%, so $10,000 invested five years ago is now worth $25,312. Analysts give its shares one "hold," rating, according to S&P, which does not have it rated.

6. W.W. Grainger (GWW)

Company profile: W.W. Grainger, with a market value of $15 billion, is a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations supplies for businesses and institutions. Grainger said Tuesday that is buying AnFreixo S.A., a business unit of Brazil's Votorantim Group, in order to enter the Brazilian market. AnFreixo, a distributor of maintenance, repair and operating supplies in Brazil, had 2011 sales of $37 million.

Dividend Yield: 1.21%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 17% this year and have a five-year, average annual return of 24%, which means $10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth $30,480. Analysts give its shares four "buy" ratings, three "buy/holds," nine "holds," and two "sells," according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

5. TJX Cos. (TJX)

Company profile: TJX, with a market value of $29 billion, is a leader in off-price retailing with revenue of $22 billion last year. It has about 3,000 stores.

Dividend Yield: 0.96%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 24% this year and have a three-year, average annual return of 25%, which means that $10,000 invested five years ago would be worth $31,537 now. Analysts give its shares 13 "buy" ratings, seven "buy/holds," and 11 "holds," according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

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