Here are several companies looking to increase their long-term returns by raising their cash dividends:

Intel (INTC) is the world’s largest manufacturer of microprocessors, the central processing units of PCs, and also produces other semiconductor products. November 16th, the company raised its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.1575/share. Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO commented “With one of the highest dividend yields in the technology industry, the dividend increase is another sign of our confidence in business prospects going forward.” The yield based on the new payout is 3.26%.

Lancaster Colony (LANC) manufactures and markets consumer products in two  segments: Specialty Foods, and Glassware and Candles. November 16th the company increased its dividend 5.3% to $0.30/share. The payable is payable December 31, 2009 to shareholders of record on December 10, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 8. LANC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 47 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.41%.

Brown-Forman (BF.A) on November 16 raised its dividend 4.3% to $0.30/share. Stockholders of record on December 7, 2009 will receive the cash dividend on January 4, 2010. This is Brown-Forman’s 64th consecutive year of quarterly dividends and the 26th consecutive year it has increased the annual dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 2.23%.

Sysco (SYY) is the largest U.S. marketer and distributor of foodservice products. November 17th the company boosted its dividend to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on January 22, 2010, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2009. LANC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 39 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.66%.

Royal Gold (RGLD) is the largest U.S.-based company engaged in the acquisition and management of precious metal royalty interests. November 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 31, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 0.68%.

PennantPark (PNNT) specializes in direct and mezzanine investments in middle-market companies. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.2% to $0.25/share.The dividend is payable on January 4, 2010 to stockholders of record as of December 24, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 22. The yield based on the new payout is 11.96%.

Harsco (HSC) is a industrial service provider and manufacturer has operations in steel
mill services and access services, as well as construction. November 19th the company boosted it quarterly dividend for the 16th consecutive year to $0.205/share. The dividend is payable February 16, 2010 to Harsco stockholders of record as of January 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 13. The dividend yield on the new payout is 2.5%. LANC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 19 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.52%.

NSTAR (NST) was created through the 1999 merger of BEC Energy and Commonwealth Energy System. November 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.40/share.The payable February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of January 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 6. The yield based on the new payout is 4.98%.

Laclede Group (LG) distributes natural gas on a retail basis in St. Louis and nearby suburban areas. November 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.395/share. The dividend will be payable on January 4, 2010, to shareholders of record on December 11, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 9, 2009. Yield on the dividend is 5%. The yield based on the new payout is 5.00%.

Bob Evans Farms (BOBE) owned and operated 571 Bob Evans Restaurants & 132 Mimi’s Cafes. November 19th the company announced a 12.5% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 15 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 4. The yield based on the new payout is 2.83%.

Nike (NKE) is the world’s leading designer and marketer of high-quality athletic
footwear, athletic apparel, and accessories. November 19th, the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on January 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 7, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.70%.

When looking for stocks with growing dividends, longevity of consecutive increases is important.  For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long INTC, SYY. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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