Ex-dividend dates are very important to dividend investors, since you must purchase a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to receive its upcoming dividend payout. For more information, check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.

Below we highlight 10 big-name stocks going ex-dividend for the week of March 4-8, 2013:

1. Halliburton

Halliburton Company (HAL) is set to trade ex-dividend on Monday, March 4. The Houston-based oilfield services company offers a dividend yield of 2.08% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $60.09 and its quarterly dividend payout of 12.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates HAL as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 stars.

2. BlackRock

BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) is set to go ex-dividend on Tuesday, March 5. The investment management giant has a dividend yield of 2.79% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $241.07 and its quarterly dividend payout of $1.68 per share. Dividend.com currently rates BLK as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

3. Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB) will trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 6. The personal care products maker, known for Kleenex tissues and Huggies diapers, offers a dividend yield of 3.40% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $95.19 and its quarterly dividend payout of 81 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates KMB as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out 5 stars.

4. Reynolds American

Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI) has an ex-dividend date of Wednesday, March 6. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based tobacco company has a dividend yield of 5.38% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $43.85 and its quarterly dividend payout of 59 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates RAI as “Recommended” with a DARS™ rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

5. V.F. Corp

V.F. Corporation (VFC) will trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 6. The lifestyle apparel maker, known for its Vans, The North Face, and Timberland brands, offers a dividend yield of 2.16% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $160.86 and its quarterly dividend payout of 87 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates VFC as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

6. Qualcomm

Qualcomm, Inc. (QCOM) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 6. The semiconductor giant offers a dividend yield of 1.52% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $65.64 and its quarterly dividend payout of 25 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates QCOM as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

7. Travelers

Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) is set to trade ex-dividend on Wednesday, March 6. The property and casualty insurer has a dividend yield of 2.28% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $80.78 and its quarterly dividend payout of 46 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates TRV as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

8. Waste Management

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) has an ex-dividend date of Thursday, March 7. The Houston-based company offers a dividend yield of 3.94% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $37.05 and its quarterly dividend payout of 36.5 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates WM as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

9. Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK) will trade ex-dividend on Thursday, March 7. The power tools and security company has a dividend yield of 2.52% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $77.92 and its quarterly dividend payout of 49 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates SWK as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

10. Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) has an ex-dividend date of Friday, March 8. The discount retail giant offers a dividend yield of 2.62% based on Wednesday’s closing price of $71.66 and its quarterly dividend payout of 47 cents per share. Dividend.com currently rates WMT as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

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