With such dividends, investors get "a good running start on a decent return," he said.

"Pushing the prices of these stocks up with tax-free dividends will not do anything to create jobs."

Companies with rising dividends tend to be more established.

Stock market averages have, meanwhile, almost doubled, returning even more with dividends.

The final screen looks for companies with high dividends.

Finally, strong performers, especially funds with annual dividends of 10 percent or more, will also prove resistant.

After all, its stock is up 61 percent so far this year with dividends reinvested.

How could he not be rewarded with eternal dividends?

What the small stock world does not have is a lot of defensive stocks, the type with good dividends.

The canal was initially fairly successful, with dividends being returned to the investors.