Another company joined the elite list of dividend kings over the past week, bringing the list to fourteen companies. So far this year we have had Coca Cola (KO) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) join the ranks of dividend kings. This is an elite list of companies which have managed to raise distributions for at least 50 years in a row.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a home improvement retailer. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 14.30% to 16 cents/share. Lowe’s Companies has raised dividends for 50 years in a row, placing it next to Coca Cola (KO) and Prcoter & Gamble (PG) on the dividend king list. Yield: 2.40% (analysis)

Other consistent dividend payers, boosting distributions over the past week included:

Universal Health Realty Income Trust (UHT) operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. The company invests in health care and human service related facilities. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 0.80% to 61.50 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised dividends for 24 years in a row. Yield: 6.20% (analysis)

National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) operates as a diversified energy company in the United States. The company invests in health care and human service related facilities. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.80% to 36.50 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised dividends for 23 years in a row. Yield: 3.30%

FedEx Corporation (FDX) provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates in four segments: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 7.70% to 14 cents/share. FedEx Corporation has raised dividends for 11 years in a row. Yield: 0.70%

Flowers Foods, Inc. (FLO) produces and markets bakery products in the United States. It operates in two segments, Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) and Warehouse Delivery. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 6.70% to 16 cents/share. Flowers Foods has raised dividends for 11 years in a row. Yield: 2.80%

Full Disclosure: Long LOW, UHT, PG, JNJ, KO

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