John Meredith is sure hot on dividend-payers. This year, the retired electronics engineer bought shares in seven dividend-paying companies: AT&T (T), Chevron (CVX), Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola , General Electric,McDonald’s and Procter & Gamble. Three of the stocks’ prices have risen in the stock market this year, while four have dipped as much as 2%. Together, this year the group has averaged a 1% gain.