And as different investment vehicles compete forinvestors’ cash in this lower growth environment – the companies offering a’little extra’ (dividends) will have an edge. What’s interesting is that a lot of companies have cut their dividends whileothers have stopped paying them altogether, making the search for good payingdividends that much harder. But they are still out there if you’re committed tofinding them. Smaller growth companies will typically not pay a dividend as they will pour alltheir money into growing their business. However, the larger companies that have solid earnings, but without theaggressive growth rates that may have marked their earlier years, will oftenreward their investors by paying out a portion of their earnings in dividends.And these are the companies we’re looking for in this week’s screen: strongstocks with good dividends and a track record of excellent growth and paymenthistory.

* Zacks Rank less than or equal to 3(This will give us Zacks #1 Ranks, Zacks #2 Ranks and Zacks #3 Ranks. It’sharder for a larger cap company to crack the #1 and #2 spots, so we’re allowing#3`s. But no Zacks #4 Ranks or Zacks #5 Ranks, which are Sells and StrongSells.) * 5 Year Historical Growth Rate greater than or equal to 10%(We want to see a history of solid growth.) * Next 3-5 Year Projected Growth Rate greater than or equal to 10%(In addition to a track record of solid earnings, it’s important to have asuccessful future of solid growth as well, otherwise your dividend could be injeopardy. And 10% is still pretty exciting when you consider that growth will beharder to come by nowadays in light of the slower growth predictions.) * 5 Year Average Dividend Yield greater than or equal to Average for the S&P 500(We’re looking for above average market yields.) * Current Dividend Yield greater than or equal to 5 Year Average Dividend Yield(We’re also insisting that their current yield be greater than their averagedividend yield over the last 5 years.) Of course, this screen will not preclude a company that decides to cut theirdividend in the future. But these additional measures should help us find someof the best dividend paying companies with a history of success. Here are 5 stocks from this week’s screen: ITC Holdings Corp (NYSE: ITC) McDonald`s Corp (NYSE: MCD) PepsiCo, Inc (NYSE: PEP) Republic Services, Inc (NYSE: RSG) Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

(Nasdaq: VIVO) Get the rest of the stocks on this list and start finding top dividend payingcompanies on your own today It`s easy to do. Sign up for a free trial to theResearch Wizard today: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Researchmay own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions inoptions that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisoryfirm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or shortpositions in options that are mentioned in this material.About Screen of the WeekZacks created the first and best screening system on the web earning thedistinction as the “#1 site for screening stocks” by Money Magazine Butpowerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screenof the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors canactively use.

Each week, Zacks Profit from the Pros free email newsletter sharesa new screening strategy. Learn more about it here ZacksZacks is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patternsin stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst hismany accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system;the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and marketinsights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily emailnewsletter; Profit from the Pros.

In short, it’s your steady flow of Profitableideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription toProfit from the Pros Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities(including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage intransactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of suchaffiliates. Visit http:// for information about the performancenumbers displayed in this press release. Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors shouldalways research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothingherein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell anysecurity. Zacks Jim GiaquintoPhone: 312-265-9268Email: Visit: Business Wire 2009. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 24 (Reuters) -SNC-Lavalin Group Inc (SNC.TO) signed an agreement on Wednesdayto manage the construction and maintenance of roads andrailways for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia,Canadian Trade Minister Stockwell Day said.