In an era of low interest rates, many investors are looking for higher yields. Standard savings accounts only pay an average interest rate of 0.06%, and certificates of deposit (CDs) fare little better with an average interest rate of 0.25% for a 12-month CD, according to the FDIC. Dividend paying stocks, which historically paid lower yields and did not guarantee cash flow as bank accounts did, now appear to be more favorable income vehicles. Today, dividend paying stocks pay