Five Stocks Beating Earnings Estimates and Paying Dividends

Given volatility in equity markets, investing can be risky. For this reason, investors might be prudent to choose stocks that have steady earnings and pay dividends. Below are five stocks that have beaten analyst earnings per share (EPS) estimates for at least three consecutive quarters and pay dividends:

: Nike has beaten analyst EPS estimates for the last three quarters. The shoe producer has beaten analyst consensus EPS estimates by 2.6% in quarter three 2012, 3.1% in quarter two of 2012, and 12.4% in quarter one of 2012. Nike also has growing dividends, seeing increases in dividend payments since 2007. The company now has a cash dividend of $0.37 per share. Nike has proven through its earnings that it is a developed company that can withstand a weak economy. Nike produces US track uniforms, so it will receive exposure during the 2012 London Olympics occurring at the end of July.

: Pfizer is a world leader in discovering and developing medicines for people and animals. Pfizer has beaten analyst expectations for nearly the past 3 years. Pfizer has beaten analyst EPS estimates by 3.6% in quarter one of 2012, 6.4% in quarter four of 2011, and 12.7% in quarter three of 2011. Currently, Pfizer pays a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share. Early June, Pfizer announced that its animal health division would be going through an IPO process. Revenues in 2011 from this unit were about $4.2 billion. Pfizer plans to file for the IPO later this summer.

: has beaten analyst EPS estimates and also pays dividends. Whole Foods Market has beaten estimates by 8.5% in quarter two of 2012, 8.3% in quarter one of 2012, and 2.4% in quarter four of 2011. The natural and organic food retailer also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share. Monday, Whole Foods Market traded near its 52 week high of $95.

: American Express has beaten analyst EPS estimates for each of the previous five quarters. The credit company has seen consistent growth in earnings, while also beating analyst estimates by 5% or more for four of the previous five quarters. American Express has increased dividends payments since 2000, and is currently paying $0.20 quarterly.

: Disney has outperformed analyst EPS estimates for the last three quarters. The company beat analyst estimates by 5.5% in quarter two of 2012, 11.1% in quarter one of 2012, and 7.4% in quarter four of 2011. Disney's quarterly dividends have increased since it began issuing them, and are now paid at $0.60 per share. Monday, Disney traded near its 52 week high of $47.45, but down for the day.