Dividends Value » ARTNA

9 Dividend Stocks Enriching Their Shareholders *

D4L — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:30:48 +0000

In one form or another, I get the this question, “What do you think of the market? Where’s it headed?” Normally, I politely respond as expected, but occasionally I will startle the person with a reply like, “I don’t know. For me it really doesn’t matter much.” My investing goals are not defined by movements in the market. Instead of looking at the market and its direction, dividend investors should focus on quality, price and ultimate value of individual stocks.

Below are several companies enriching their shareholders by raising their cash dividends:

MFA Financial (MFA) is a real estate investment trust that invests in ARM-MBS, which are primarily secured by pools of mortgages on single family residences. October 1st the trust increased its quarterly quarterly dividend 18% to $0.225/share. The dividend is payable on October 29, 2010 to stockholders of record on October 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 11.39%.

American Financial Group (AFG) provides specialty and multi-line property and casualty insurance, and sells tax-deferred annuities. October 1st the company raised its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.1625/share. The dividend is payable on October 25, 2010 to holders of record on October 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.15%.

Thor Industries (THO) is engaged in manufacturing and selling a range of recreation vehicles, and small and mid-size buses. October 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 43% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on October 29, 2010 to shareholders of record on October 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 14, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.15%.

WD-40 Company (WDFC) produces WD-40 and 3-IN-ONE Oil lubricants; Lava and Solvol heavy-duty hand cleaners; and X-14, 2000 Flushes, Carpet Fresh and Spot Shot household cleaning products. October 1st the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.76%.

Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) provides service to some 590,000 residential, 61,000 commercial and 900 industrial sales customers in Oregon and southwestern Washington. October 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.435/share. The dividend will be paid November 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on October 29, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 27, 2010. NWN is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.59%.

Senior Housing Properties (SNH) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with 298 properties located in 35 states and Washington, D.C. October 4th the trust raised its quarterly dividend to $0.37/share. The dividend is payable on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record on Nov. 12. The ex-dividend date is Nov. 10. The yield based on the new payout is 6.11%.

West Pharmaceutical (WST) manufactures components and systems for injectable drug delivery and plastic packaging and delivery system components. October 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.25% to $0.17/share. The dividend will be paid on November 3, 2010 to shareholders of record on October 20, 2010. WST is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.99%.

Collectors Universe (CLCT) provides value-added grading, authentication and information services and products to dealers and collectors of high-end collectibles. October 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.325/share. The dividend is payable on November 19, 2010 to stockholders of record on November 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 9.3%.

Artesian Resources (ARTNA) distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal, and utility customers in the state of Delaware. October 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.1892/share. The dividend is payable on November 19, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4%.

RPM International Inc. (RPM) makes specialty coatings and products for the structural waterproofing and corrosion control markets, as well as products for the consumer, do-it-yourself, and hobby markets. October 7th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on October 29, 2010, to stockholders of record as of October 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 14, 2010. RPM is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.

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: No position in the aforementioned securities. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

http://dividendsvalue.com/4783/3-high-yield-telecom-dividend-stocks/

16 Dividend Stocks Providing An Inflation Hedge *

D4L — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:30:51 +0000

With all the other investment strategies out there, why should investors consider dividend or income investing? There are a multitude of reasons to follow a dividend growth strategy. These include: investment stability, security of cash, continuous feedback, potential higher returns, low maintenance, et. al. But for me the most important reason is the inflation hedge that a growing dividend will provide in my retirement years.

Below are several companies building an inflation hedge for their shareholders by increasing their cash dividends:

TransMontaigne Partners (TLP) provides terminaling, storage and related services to petroleum related companies. April 16th the company increased its quarterly distribution 2% to $0.60/share. The distribution is payable on May 11, 2010 to unitholders of record on April 30, 2010. The ex-distribution date is April 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 8.21%.

Citizens & Northern Corp. (CZNC) provides banking and mortgage services to individuals and corporate customers in Pennsylvania and New York. April 19th raised its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable May 14, 2010 to shareholders of record as of May 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 29. The yield based on the new payout is 2.94%.

Procter & Gamble (PG) is a leading consumer products company markets household and personal care products in more than 180 countries. April 19th the company increases its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.4818/share. The dividend is payable on or after May 17, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 28, 2010. PG is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.05%.

Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP) is engaged in the transportation, storage and distribution of refined petroleum products primarily through its 9,500-mile pipeline system. April 21st the partnership increases its quarterly distribution 1% to $0.72/share. The distribution is payable May 14 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 7. The ex-dividend date is May 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.00%.

Sonoco (SON) is a manufacturer of paper and plastic packaging products serves various industries. April 21st the company
raised its quarterly dividend 3.7% to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable June 10, 2010, to shareholders of record as of May 14, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 12. The dividend yield moves from 3.26% to 3.38%. SON is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 27 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.42%.

Renaissance Learning (RLRN) company provides computer-based assessment and periodic progress monitoring technology for pre-kindergarten through senior high schools and districts in North America. April 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable June 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of May 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 5. The yield based on the new payout is 2.05%.

LSB Corp. (LSBX) provides various financial products and services to the general public primarily in Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. April 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.09/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.73%.

Fidelity National (FNF) is a provider of title insurance, specialty insurance, claims management services and information services. April 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.18/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.76%.

Kinder Morgan (KMP) is one of the largest pipeline master limited partnerships (MLPs) in the U.S. April 21st the partnership raised its quarterly distribution to$1.07/unit. KMP is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 13 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.29%.

Ensco (ESV) provides offshore contract drilling services to the oil and gas industry worldwide. April 22nd the company increased its dividend to $0.35/share. The dividend is payable on 18 June 2010 to holders of Ensco’s American depositary shares (ADSs) as of the 7 June 2010 record date. The ex-dividend date is June 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.78%.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is a leader in the pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer products industries. April 22nd the company increases its quarterly dividend 10.2% to $0.54/share. The dividend is payable on June 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 28, 2010. JNJ is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 48 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.33%. See detailed Analysis here.

Sensient Tech. (SXT) produces flavors, colors and fragrances for businesses operating in various industries, including food, pharmaceutical and personal care. April 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on June 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on May 6, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 3. The yield based on the new payout is 2.53%.

Arch Coal (ACI) the second largest U.S. coal producer. April 22nd the company raised it quarterly dividend 11% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable June 15 to shareholders of record on June 1. The ex-dividend date is May 28. The yield based on the new payout is 1.45%.

Artesian Resources Corp. (ARTNA) distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal, and utility customers in the state of Delaware. April 22nd the company increases its quarterly dividend to $0.19/share. The dividend is payable on May 21, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.19%.

J. M. Smucker (SJM) products include coffee, fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, health and natural foods, and beverages. April 22nd the company increases its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Friday, May 14, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 12, 2010. SMJ is a Dividend Achiever. The yield based on the new payout is 2.54%.

STMicroelectronics (STM) is a global semiconductor company makes various semiconductor integrated circuits and discrete devices. April 22nd the company increased its annual dividend to $0.28/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.68%.

For a stock to be an effective inflation hedge it must raise its dividend each year in excess of the inflation rate. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long PG, JNJ. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

15 Hot Dividend Increases *

D4L — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:30:21 +0000

Dividends from a quality, well-diversified portfolio are much more predictable than capital gains and best of all, they are passive. You don’t have to do anything, they just show up in your brokerage account each quarter. Inflation? Not to worry, the good companies routinely raise their dividends well in excess of the inflation rate.

This week as the weather turns cold the dividend increases heat up. Below are several companies heating up their yields with increased cash dividends:

PPG Industries (PPG) is a global supplier of protective and decorative coatings. October 16th the company increased its dividend 2% to $0.54/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 11 to shareholders of record Nov. 10. The ex-dividend date is November 6. PPG is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.62%.

El Paso Pipeline Partners L.P. (EPB) owns and operates natural gas transportation pipelines, storage and other midstream assets. October 19th the company raised its quarterly cash distribution 6% to $0.35/unit. The distribution will be paid November 13, 2009 on all unitholders of record as of the close of business on October 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 28. The yield based on the new payout is 6.15%

Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) engages in interstate and intrastate crude oil transportation, terminalling and storage, as well as crude oil gathering and marketing. October 19th the company boosted its quarterly distribution 2% to $0.92/unit. The distribution is payable on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 3, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 7.38%

Universal Forest Products (UFPI) engineers, manufactures, treats, distributes and installs lumber, composite, plastic and other building products. October 19th the company bumped its quarterly dividend to to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record on December 1, 2009. The ex-dividend is November 27, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.03%.

Stepan Co. (SCL) produces specialty and intermediate chemicals. October 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.1% to $0.24/share. This dividend is payable December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 26, 2009. SCL is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.49%.

Shenandoah Telecom (SHEN) is a diversified telecommunications holding company. October 20th the company raised is dividend to $0.32/share. The dividend will be payable December 1, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 10, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 6, 2009. SHEN is a Dividend Achiever. The yield based on the new payout is 1.89%.

Ecology and Environment (EEI) is an environmental consulting and testing firm. October 20th the company bumped to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on or before December 30, 2009, to shareholders of record as of December 8, 2009. The ex-dividend is December 4, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 2.66%.

Hanover Insurance Group (THG) is an insurance and financial services company. October 20th the company increased its annual dividend 67% to $0.75/share. The dividend is payable December 9, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 25, 2009. The board also authorized a change in the company’s dividend payment schedule from a single annual cash dividend to quarterly dividend payments beginning in fiscal year 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.80%.

Artesian Resources (ARTNA) distributes and sells water, including water for public and private fire protection. October 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.1873/share. The dividend is payable November 20, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 4.52%.

Visa (V) operates a retail electronic payments network. October 21st the company bumped its quarterly dividend by 19% to $0.125/share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 12. The yield based on the new payout is 0.66%.

Brown & Brown (BRO) is a diversified insurance agency, wholesale brokerage, insurance programs and service organization. October 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend by 3.3% to $0.0775/share. The dividend is payable on November 18, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 4, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 2. BRO is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.66%.

Eaton Vance (EV) is engaged in managing investment funds and providing investment management and counseling services to high-net-worth individuals and institutions. October 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable on November 13, 2009 to shareholders of record on October 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 11. EV is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 29 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.11%.

Peabody Energy (BTU) is a coal company. October 22nd the company bumped its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 27, 2009, to shareholders of record on Nov. 5, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 3. The yield based on the new payout is 0.64%.

Holly Energy (HEP) operates a system of refined product and crude oil pipelines, storage tanks and distribution terminals. October 22nd the company bumped its quarterly 1.3% to $0.795/unit. The distribution will be paid November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record November 2, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 29. The yield based on the new payout is 7.93%.

Matthews Int’l (MATW) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. October 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.07/share. The dividend payable November 16, 2009 to stockholders of record November 2, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 29. The yield based on the new payout is 0.70%.

Real dividend growth investors are not looking for a flash in the pan, but instead for stocks that can deliver consistent dividend growth. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned stocks. See a list of all my income holdings here.