At what rate are dividends paid for XOM shares?

The Exxon Mobile Corporation pays a 3.42 percent dividend yield for every share of stock owned, reports Market Watch. Exxon trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol XOM. As of 2015, Exxon pays preferred stockholders dividends on a quarterly basis, according to dates provided by Nasdaq.

Dividends are payments companies distribute from their earnings to shareholders quarterly, semi-annually or annually, explains Investopedia. Companies pay dividends on stocks classified as preferred shares. Individuals who buy preferred shares of stock shield themselves from price fluctuations that occur in common shares of stock. Stocks classified as common shares do not pay dividends.