With the uncertainty of the economy these days, investors are looking to companies that provide returns on their investments in the form of dividends and buyback strategies.

Goldman Sachs (GS) has released a report that shows the best stocks for dividends and buybacks. Goldman notes in the report that S&P 500 companies that have strong buyback programs have in fact outperformed the market in the past 20 years

“S&P 500 companies are buying back more than 3% of market cap, 2x the pace from the 1990s, and dividends are up 50% since 2010,”  Goldman economist Stuart Kaiser notes in the report. “80% of S&P 500 is buying back stock. We expect 10% buyback and dividend growth in 2014.”

Here are the Top 5 of Goldman Sachs’ 23 best stocks for dividends and buybacks (via Business Insider).

5. Tenet Healthcare (THC)

Buyback yield: 18.1%

Dividend yield: 0.1%

Total yield: 18.2%

4. Pfizer (PFE)

Buyback yield: 14.4%

Dividend yield: 3.9%

Total yield: 18.2%

3. Dun & Bradstreet (DNB)

Buyback yield: 17.2%

Dividend yield: 1.9%

Total yield: 19.2%

2. Pentair Ltd (PNR)

Buyback yield: 22.1%

Dividend yield: 4.3%

Total yield: 26.4%

1. AIG (AIG)

Buyback yield: 39.0%

Dividend yield: 0.0%

Total yield: 39.0%
Click here to see the full list of 23.