The S&P 500 is up by 4% year-to-date.Many Latin American equity indices have easily outperformed the S&P 500. For example, Mexico’s IPC All-Share has increased by 6.4% and Brazil’s Sao Paulo Bovespa has grown by over 22%, etc. Brazilian stocks declined heavily last year and they have recovered with the political situation improving.

In addition to looking for growth-oriented stocks, investors can also consider Latin American stocks for dividends. While the S&P 500 has an average dividend yield of about 2%, many companies in the region have much higher yields. The following are 10 Latin American stocks with their ADR tickers and current dividend yields:

1.Company: Empresa Nacional de Electricidad SA (EOCC)
Current Dividend Yield: 2.34%
Sector: Electric Utilities
Country: Chile

2.Company: Banco Santander-Chile (BSAC)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.53%
Sector: Banking
Country: Chile

3.Company: Banco de Chile (BCH)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.53%
Sector:Banking
Country: Chile

4.Company: Braskem SA (BAK)
Current Dividend Yield: 6.38%
Sector: Chemicals
Country: Brazil

5.Company: Ultrapar Participacoes SA (UGP)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.08%
Sector: Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
Country: Brazil

6.Company: Itaú CorpBanca(ITCB)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.18%
Sector: Banking
Country: Chile

7.Company: Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S (AVAL)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.94%
Sector: Banking
Country: Colombia

8.Company: Bancolombia SA (CIB)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.23%
Sector: Banking
Country: Colombia

9.Company:Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV (KOF)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.60%
Sector:Beverages
Country: Mexico

10.Company:America Movil SAB de CV (AMX)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.02%
Sector: Telecom
Country: Mexico

Note: Dividend yields noted above are as of July 8, 2016. Data is known to be accurate from sources used.Please use your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Disclosure: Long ITCB, BSAC, BCH and CIB

Bank stocks are under pressure since the Brexit vote. European banks have been hit hard compared to their American peers. The STOXX® Europe 600 Banks Index is down about 36% year-to-date in Euro price terms. Some of the British banks have reached their 52-week lows.

With all the carnage in the banking sector and related sectors, some investors may be wondering if there are any bank stocks that are worth buying at current levels. Here are some thoughts on this topic:

British banks such as Barclays(BCS), HSBC(HSBC), etc. can be avoided at this time.

Investors can also stay away from Deutsche Bank(DB) due to the ongoing crisis. In addition, the bank has suspended dividends and is sitting on a gigantic derivatives pile whose notional value runs in the trillions. Though the bank will be bailed out should it collapse equity holders may not be saved by the state.

Scandinavian banks are worth considering since they are outside of the Euro zone and have better prospects.

Among US banks strong regionals and select small and mid-size banks look attractive.

High-quality emerging banks also offer opportunities.

Last year I wrote an article on the world’s strongest banks quoting a Bloomberg. The chart from that piece is reproduced below.

Disclosure: No positions