Dividends Value » HTS

8 Stocks Compounding Their Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:30:24 +0000

Compound interest is what occurs when interest previously earned is added to the principle and is considered when calculating future interest – i.e. earning interest on interest. So, what’s more powerful than compound interest? Compound dividends! Compound dividends are like compound interest on steroids – you are not only earning on reinvested dividends, but the dividend rate is increasing.

Here are several companies compounding their dividends by recently raising their cash distributions to shareholders:

Safeway (SWY) is a major food retailer that operates about 1,750 stores in the U.S. and Canada. December 11th the company increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 24, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 22. The yield based on the new payout is 1.87%.

Pfizer (PFE) is the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. It produces a wide range of drugs across a broad therapeutic spectrum. December 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable March 2, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.91%.

General Mills (GIS) is a major producer of packaged consumer food products, including Big G cereals and Betty Crocker desserts/baking mixes. December 14th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 12% $0.49/share. The dividend is payable February 1, 2010, to shareholders of record January 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.87%.

Hatteras Financial (HTS) is a REIT investing in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities. December 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $1.20/share. The dividend will be paid on January 22, 2010, to stockholders of record on December 28, 2009, with an ex-dividend date of December 23, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 15.82%.

Moody’s (MCO) is a leading global credit rating, research and risk analysis concern. December 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.105/share. The dividend is payable March 10, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.56%.

BCE (BCE) is a Canadian wireline and wireless telecommunications company. December 17th the company raised its annual dividend 7% to $1.74/share. The first quarter installment is payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.80%.

Waste Management (WM) is the largest U.S. trash hauling/disposal company. December 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.315/share. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the Company has increased its quarterly dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 3.85%.

Urstadt Biddle Properties (UBA) this REIT owns and manages commercial real estate properties primarily in the northeastern United States. December 17th the company boosted its quarterly dividend to $0.2425/share. The dividends are payable January 22, 2010 to stockholders of record on January 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.44%.

To maximize the compounding effect, a company must raise their dividends each year. 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)

Six Double-Digit Dividend Stocks Increasing Their Yields *

D4L — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:51 +0000

After Wednesday’s article High-Yield, High-Risk Dividend Stocks, I had hoped to feature a few high-yield stocks raising their dividends this week. Patiently I watched the news wire for some announcements that fit the bill, and it didn’t take long. As if they were waiting for the cue, three high-yield stocks recently announced increased cash dividends for their shareholders:

Chimera Investment is a specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), residential mortgage loans, real estate-related securities and various other asset classes. Monday, CIM increased it quarterly dividend 50% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable October 30, 2009 to common shareholders of record on October 1, 2009. The ex-dividend date is September 29, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 11.82%.

Hatteras Financial (HTS) is an externally managed mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) formed to invest in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities. Tuesday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.5% to $1.15/share. The dividend is payable on October 23, 2009, to stockholders of record on October 2, 2009, with an ex-dividend date of September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 13.94%.

Triangle Capital (TCAP) is a specialty finance company that provides customized financing solutions to lower middle market companies. Wednesday, the company bumped its quarterly dividend 2.5% to $0.41/share. The dividend is payable on October 22 to shareholders of record on October 8. The current yield based on the new dividend is 14.07%.

Though their yields are not double-digit, three additional companies provided double-digit dividend growth in their cash dividends:

The First of Long Island Corp. (FLIC) provides financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of Long Island. Tuesday, the company increased its dividend 11% to $0.20/share. The dividend will be paid on October 9, 2009 to shareholders of record on October 2, 2009. To receive the dividend, you have to own the shares before September 30th. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.98%.

Lockheed Martin (LMT) is the world’s largest military weapons manufacturer and is also a significant supplier to NASA and other government agencies. Thursday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 10.5% to $0.63/share. The dividend is payable Dec. 31, 2009 to holders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 1, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 3.26%.

McDonald’s (MCD) is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 local restaurants in more than 100 countries. Thursday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.55/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2009.

MCD’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner said, “So far in 2009 we’ve returned nearly $4.0 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, bringing total cash returned since the beginning of 2007 to about $15.5 billion. With today’s dividend increase, we expect to end the year near the high end of our three-year, $15 billion to $17 billion total cash return target.”

The stock is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend 33 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 3.92%. [Analysis]

For long-term dividend investors, a high-yield is not the most important factor to look for, instead that honor belongs to consistently growing dividends. For stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long MCD. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

PetSmart (PETM) Announces a 233% Dividend Increase *

D4L — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:30:58 +0000

In this environment many income investors are happy to see any dividend increase. Not all companies are hiding behind the economic downturn and short-changing their dividend increases. To the contrary, PetSmart (PETM) after an extensive analysis of expected free cash flows showed confidence in their our operating plan with a generous dividend increase and share repurchase plan.

PETM operates more than 1,100 pet stores in the U.S. and Canada, offering pet food, supplies and services. Tuesday the company PETM announced an increase its quarterly dividend of 233% to $0.10/share. In addition, its Board of Directors authorized a $350 million stock purchase plan. In a statement the company said it plans to continue to grow the business by opening about 40 stores per year for the foreseeable future. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 1.92%.

Below are some other companies rewarding their shareholders with increased cash dividends:

Del Monte Foods (DLM) is one of the largest producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market. The company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. Recently, DLM increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on August 6, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 23, 2009. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 2.22%.

Duke Energy (DUK) provides service to about 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and 500,000 gas customers in Kentucky and Ohio. Tuesday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.3% to $0.24/share. “Despite challenging economic conditions, Duke Energy continues to successfully implement its business strategy. We are pleased to share this success with our investors,” said James E. Rogers, chairman, president and CEO. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 6.67%.

Darden (DRI) operates the Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 chains, as well as the LongHorn Steakhouse and Capital Grille chains. On June 23rd the company announced a 25% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.25/share. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 3.13%.

Hatteras Financial (HTS) is an externally managed mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) formed to invest in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed or issued by a U.S. government agency. HTS on Tuesday increased its quarterly dividend by 4.71% to $1.10/share. The dividend will be paid on July 24, 2009, to stockholders of record on July 6, 2009, with an ex-dividend date of July 1, 2009. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 16.52%.

Though it may seem that most companies are cutting their dividends, many continue to show strength and increase their dividends. For stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

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

(Photo Credit)

distributes and markets private label food and pet products.

Champion Dividend Stocks *

D4L — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:30:46 +0000

There are winners and there are champions in every walk of life. The difference is subtle, but very real. A champion is driven for success and will not let anything stand in its way. Some dividend stocks can be classified as champions. A bad economy, tight credit markets and a dark cloud of uncertainty are enough send some dividend companies running for the exit. However, these are the times that champions stand firm.

This week a few companies answered the call and rewarded their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

Hatteras Financial Corp. (HTS) increased its quarterly dividend to $1.05/share for the first quarter of 2009. The dividend will be paid on April 24, 2009, to stockholders of record on April 3, 2009, with an ex-dividend date of April 1, 2009. “We are pleased to announce an increased dividend, which corresponds to the completion of our 2009 first quarter,” said Michael R. Hough, the Chief Executive Officer of Hatteras. The new dividend yield is 17.84%. HTS is an externally managed mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) formed to invest in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed or issued by a United States Government agency.

Raytheon (RTN) raised its quarterly dividend by 11% to $0.31/share. The dividend is payable on May 1, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 7, 2009. The new dividend yield is over 3%. RTN is the world’s fifth largest military contractor, specializes in making high-tech missiles and electronics.

Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) increased its quarterly dividend by 5.8% to $0.18/share. The dividend will be paid on June 30, 2009 to all PBG shareholders of record as of June 6, 2009. The new dividend yield is over 3%. PBG is the world’s largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of carbonated and non-carbonated Pepsi-Cola beverages.

The dividend raisers continue to be outnumbered by the slashers, but raisers are still there, if you look for them. For more companies around the world with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see my updated Stock Ideas page.

Full Disclosure: No position in any of the aforementioned securities.

(Photo: Steve Woods)