In the U.S. and Canada, most companies pay dividends quarterly. In other parts of the world, it is not uncommon for companies to pay an annual or a semi-annual dividend. That is not to say that North American companies sometimes choose not to pay quarterly dividends. For many years McDonald’s (MCD) paid an annual dividend. Since 2000, Walt Disney Co. (DIS) has paid an annual dividend and Ruby Tuesday Inc. (RT) has paid a semi-annual dividend. Going in the other direction, Realty Income Corp. (O) and Gas Natural Inc. (EGAS) pay monthly dividends.
Though I prefer quarterly dividends, there is something more important than frequency — dividend increases. Below are several companies satisfying their shareholders' desire for more cash by increasing their dividends:
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM, Financial) procures, transports, stores, processes and merchandises agricultural commodities and products in the United States and internationally. November 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.4% to $0.175 per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 8, 2011, to stockholders of record Nov. 17, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.
j2 Global Communications Inc. (JCOM, Financial) provides outsourced, value-added communication, messaging, and data backup services to businesses of all sizes, from individuals to enterprises worldwide. November 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.5% to $0.205 per share. The dividend us payable on Nov. 28, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (LECO, Financial) manufactures welding and cutting products worldwide. November 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.7% to $0.17 per share. The dividend is payable Jan. 13, 2012, to holders of record as of Dec. 31, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.
Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM, Financial) is a publicly owned real estate investment trust that engages in acquisitions, development, and management of neighborhood and community shopping centers. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.6% to $0.19 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 17, 2012, to shareholders of record on Jan. 4, 2012, representing an ex-dividend date of Dec. 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.4%.
NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (NRF, Financial) operates as a real estate investment trust that invests in real estate debt business, which acquires, originates and structures debt investments secured primarily by income-producing real estate. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.125 per share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 18, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 11.7%.
Vectren Corporation (VVC, Financial) provides energy delivery services to residential, commercial and industrial and other contract customers in Indiana and west central Ohio. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.35 per share. This marks the 52nd consecutive year the annual dividends paid by Vectren and its predecessor companies have increased. The dividend will be payable Dec. 1, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.9%.
Triangle Capital Corporation (TCAP, Financial) is a business development company specializing in private equity and venture capital investments. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.8% to $0.47 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 28, 2011, to shareholders of record on Dec. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 11.5%.
Penske Automotive Group Inc. (PAG, Financial) operates as an automotive retailer in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the UK and Germany. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.09 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on Nov. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.
Cognex Corporation (CGNX, Financial) and its subsidiaries provide machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to automate tasks, primarily in manufacturing processes. November 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 16, 2011, to all shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 2, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.
Questar Corporation (STR, Financial) operates as an integrated natural gas holding company. November 1, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.6% to $0.1625 per share. The dividend, payable Dec. 12, 2011, to shareholders of record on Nov. 18, 2011. This is the company’s 268th consecutive dividend and second dividend increase this year. Questar has increased its dividend 39 times in the last 39 years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.
Utah Medical Products Inc. (UTMD, Financial) produces and markets medical devices for the healthcare industry primarily in the U.S. and Europe. November 1, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 29, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.
Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) operates as a diversified manufacturing and technology company. October 31, the company increased its quarterly dividend 15.9% to $0.40 per share. the dividend is payable Dec. 9, 2011, to stockholders of record Nov. 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.
Mercury General Corporation (MCY) engages in writing private passenger and commercial automobile insurance in the United States. October 31st the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.7% to $0.61 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on Dec. 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.8%.
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (BWP) engages in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas in the U.S. October 31, the partnership increased its quarterly distribution to $0.5275 per unit. The distribution is payable on Nov. 17, 2011, to unitholders of record as of Nov. 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 8.2%.
Cleco Corporation (CNL) operates as a utility holding company in Louisiana. October 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 11.6% to $0.3125 per share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 7, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.
NV Energy Inc. (NVE) generates, transmits, and distributes electric energy in Nevada. October 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.13 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 21, 2011, to shareholders of record on Dec. 6, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.
Honeywell International Inc. (HON) operates as a diversified technology and manufacturing company worldwide. October 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.373 per share. The dividend is payable payable on Dec. 9, 2011 to shareowners of record at the close of business on Nov. 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG) provides retirement savings, investment, and insurance products and services worldwide. October 27, the company increased its annual dividend 27% to $0.70 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 2, 2011, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.
Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.
Full Disclosure: Long VVC, EMR. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.
Related Posts
- 10 Dividend Stocks With Above Target Returns
- 5 Dividend Stocks Trading Below Fair Value
- 8 Dividend Stocks Covering Their Dividend
- 7 Low-Debt High-Rated Dividend Stocks
- 3 Styles Of Sucessful Dividend Investing
Though I prefer quarterly dividends, there is something more important than frequency — dividend increases. Below are several companies satisfying their shareholders' desire for more cash by increasing their dividends:
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM, Financial) procures, transports, stores, processes and merchandises agricultural commodities and products in the United States and internationally. November 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.4% to $0.175 per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 8, 2011, to stockholders of record Nov. 17, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.
j2 Global Communications Inc. (JCOM, Financial) provides outsourced, value-added communication, messaging, and data backup services to businesses of all sizes, from individuals to enterprises worldwide. November 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.5% to $0.205 per share. The dividend us payable on Nov. 28, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (LECO, Financial) manufactures welding and cutting products worldwide. November 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.7% to $0.17 per share. The dividend is payable Jan. 13, 2012, to holders of record as of Dec. 31, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.
Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM, Financial) is a publicly owned real estate investment trust that engages in acquisitions, development, and management of neighborhood and community shopping centers. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.6% to $0.19 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 17, 2012, to shareholders of record on Jan. 4, 2012, representing an ex-dividend date of Dec. 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.4%.
NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (NRF, Financial) operates as a real estate investment trust that invests in real estate debt business, which acquires, originates and structures debt investments secured primarily by income-producing real estate. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.125 per share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 18, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 11.7%.
Vectren Corporation (VVC, Financial) provides energy delivery services to residential, commercial and industrial and other contract customers in Indiana and west central Ohio. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.35 per share. This marks the 52nd consecutive year the annual dividends paid by Vectren and its predecessor companies have increased. The dividend will be payable Dec. 1, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.9%.
Triangle Capital Corporation (TCAP, Financial) is a business development company specializing in private equity and venture capital investments. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.8% to $0.47 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 28, 2011, to shareholders of record on Dec. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 11.5%.
Penske Automotive Group Inc. (PAG, Financial) operates as an automotive retailer in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the UK and Germany. November 2, the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.09 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on Nov. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.
Cognex Corporation (CGNX, Financial) and its subsidiaries provide machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to automate tasks, primarily in manufacturing processes. November 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 16, 2011, to all shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 2, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.
Questar Corporation (STR, Financial) operates as an integrated natural gas holding company. November 1, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.6% to $0.1625 per share. The dividend, payable Dec. 12, 2011, to shareholders of record on Nov. 18, 2011. This is the company’s 268th consecutive dividend and second dividend increase this year. Questar has increased its dividend 39 times in the last 39 years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.
Utah Medical Products Inc. (UTMD, Financial) produces and markets medical devices for the healthcare industry primarily in the U.S. and Europe. November 1, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 29, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.
Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) operates as a diversified manufacturing and technology company. October 31, the company increased its quarterly dividend 15.9% to $0.40 per share. the dividend is payable Dec. 9, 2011, to stockholders of record Nov. 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.
Mercury General Corporation (MCY) engages in writing private passenger and commercial automobile insurance in the United States. October 31st the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.7% to $0.61 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on Dec. 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.8%.
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (BWP) engages in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas in the U.S. October 31, the partnership increased its quarterly distribution to $0.5275 per unit. The distribution is payable on Nov. 17, 2011, to unitholders of record as of Nov. 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 8.2%.
Cleco Corporation (CNL) operates as a utility holding company in Louisiana. October 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 11.6% to $0.3125 per share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 7, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.
NV Energy Inc. (NVE) generates, transmits, and distributes electric energy in Nevada. October 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.13 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 21, 2011, to shareholders of record on Dec. 6, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.
Honeywell International Inc. (HON) operates as a diversified technology and manufacturing company worldwide. October 28, the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.373 per share. The dividend is payable payable on Dec. 9, 2011 to shareowners of record at the close of business on Nov. 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG) provides retirement savings, investment, and insurance products and services worldwide. October 27, the company increased its annual dividend 27% to $0.70 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 2, 2011, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.
Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.
Full Disclosure: Long VVC, EMR. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.
Related Posts
- 10 Dividend Stocks With Above Target Returns
- 5 Dividend Stocks Trading Below Fair Value
- 8 Dividend Stocks Covering Their Dividend
- 7 Low-Debt High-Rated Dividend Stocks
- 3 Styles Of Sucessful Dividend Investing
