Despite the stock market's recent climb, investor sentiment remains mixed, and their mood could turn the market on a dime. For example, although the level of shares sold short has recently fallen by a considerably amount, investors have been buying options to protect themselves from any unforeseen uptick in volatility or market correction.

If there is turbulence ahead, some investors might turn to a steady stream of income from solid, dividend-paying stocks.

Aside from stable returns, dividends can signal a company's financial health -- especially in this economy, in which former steady payers such as Citigroup (NYSE: C) have slashed their dividends. Only about one-third of publicly traded companies in the U.S. now continue to pay a steady dividend. But mature companies that still have more cash than they need, even in this stormy market, are some of the strongest businessesout there. Continued...