This is the group of companies who raised their dividend during the week: Covidien Ltd., Sanderson Farms Inc., ConAgra Foods Inc., Microsoft Corp., Assurant Inc. (AIZ)

Covidien Ltd. (COV) Covidien PLC, formerly Covidien Ltd, is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of healthcare products for use in clinical and home settings. Covidien Ltd. has a market cap of $20.24 billion; its shares were traded at around $40.36 with a P/E ratio of 12.2 and P/S ratio of 2. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 11% to 20 cents/share. This was the second consecutive annual dividend increase for the company. Yield: 2.00%

Covidien PLC reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 (April - June 2010). Third-quarter net sales of $2.56 billion increased 2% from the $2.52 billion reported a year ago. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company reported operating income of $539 million, versus $441 million in the same period the year before.

Covidien Ltd. is owned by David Dreman, Donald Yacktman, and Bill Nygren.

Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM) Snderson Farms Inc. is a fully-integrated poultry processing company engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken products. Sanderson Farms Inc. has a market cap of $985.2 million; its shares were traded at around $43.36 with a P/E ratio of 8.8 and P/S ratio of 0.5. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 13.30% to 17 cents/share. This was the second consecutive annual dividend increase since 2009. Yield: 1.60%

Sanderson Farms, Inc. reported results for the third fiscal quarter and nine months ended July 31, 2010. Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $489.1 million compared with $504.8 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter, the Company reported net income of $36.1 million, or $1.55 per share, compared with $43.0 million, or $2.06 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Sanderson Farms Inc. is owned by Arnold Schneider, George Soros, and David Dreman.

Director Phil K Livingston and Director Jones Gail Pittman sold shares of SAFM stock.

ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG) ConAgra Foods has transformed itself into an industry-leading, branded, and value-added food company. Conagra Foods Inc. has a market cap of $9.73 billion; its shares were traded at around $22.13 with a P/E ratio of 13.1 and P/S ratio of 0.8. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 15% to 23 cents/share. This was the second consecutive annual dividend increase for the company. Yield: 4.20%

ConAgra Foods, Inc. reported results for the fiscal 2011 first quarter ended Aug. 29, 2010. Diluted EPS from continuing operations of $0.32 as reported and $0.34, adjusted for items impacting comparability; diluted EPS from continuing operations declined 14% as reported and 11% on a comparable basis.

ConAgra Foods Inc. is owned by Mario Gabelli and Jean-Marie Eveillard.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for a multitude of computing devices. Microsoft Corp. has a market cap of $210.97 billion; its shares were traded at around $24.38 with a P/E ratio of 11.6 and P/S ratio of 3.4. The software company raised their quarterly dividend by 23 percent to 16 cents/share. This was the first dividend increase since 2008. Yield: 2.60%.

Microsoft Corp. is owned by John Keeley, David Einhorn, and Donald Yacktman

Chief ResearchStrategy Officer Craig J Mundie, Chief Accounting Officer Frank H Brod, and COO Brian Kevin Turner sold shares of MSFT stock.

Assurant Inc. (AIZ) Assurant Inc is a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected other international markets. Assurant Inc. has a market cap of $4.33 billion; its shares were traded at around $40.61 with a P/E ratio of 8.3 and P/S ratio of 0.5. Arlington Asset Investment Corp.(AIZ) declared a 71.4% increase in its quarterly dividend to 60 cents/share. Since 2005 the company has decreased its dividend regularly, which doesn’t make it a suitable investment to dividend growth investors. Yield: 11.70%

Assurant, Inc. reported results for the second quarter and first six months of 2010. Net operating income for the second quarter 2010 increased 53 percent to $152.2 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2009 net operating income of $99.3 million, or $.84 per diluted share. Net income for the second quarter 2010 decreased 15 percent to $164.7 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2009 net income of $193.3 million, or $1.63 per diluted share.

Assurant Inc. is owned by David Dreman and NWQ Managers.

President & CIO, AAM Christopher J Pagano sold shares of AIZ stock.

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