Dividends Value » LAWS

15 Stocks Growing Their Cash Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:30:44 +0000

Throughout history there have always been great companies that stand head-and-shoulders above their peers and the competition. They are loved by their shareholders, hated by the competition and known by all. Just as all great companies have have something in common, great dividend companies also have something in common – they consistently raise their dividends each year.

Below are several companies stepping it up with higher cash dividends:

Hillenbrand (HI) manufactures and sells gasketed caskets made of carbon steel, stainless steel, copper & bronze; offers a cremation marketing system for funeral service professionals. December 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.3% to $0.19/share. The dividend is payable December 31, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.

Graco (GGG) is a U.S.-based global producer of industrial pumps, valves, meters, and accessories. December 3rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on February 2, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 18, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 14, 2010. GGG is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Erie Indemnity (ERIE) provides sales, underwriting, and policy issuance services to the policyholders of Erie Insurance Exchange in the United States. December 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.3% to $0.515/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 20 to shareholders of record on Jan. 5. The ex-dividend date is Jan. 3. ERIE is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.27%.

Lawson Products (LAWS) manufactures, sells and distributes production and specialized component parts to the original equipment marketplace (OEM). December 7th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable January 18, 2011, to stockholders of record on January 4, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

CapLease (LSE) invests primarily in single tenant commercial real estate assets. December 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.065/share. The dividend is payable on January 18, 2011 to stockholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.2%.

Nucor (NUE) is largest minimill steelmaker in the U.S., Nucor has one of the most diverse product lines of any steelmaker in the Americas. December 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 0.7% to $0.3625/share. The dividend is payable on February 11, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. NUE is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.

Stryker (SYK) makes specialty surgical and medical products such as orthopedic implants, endoscopic items, and hospital beds. December 8th the company increases its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. SYK is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.

One Liberty (OLP) invests primarily in improved commercial real estate under long-term net leases. December 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable January 4, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 21, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 8.2%.

Western Union (WU) is a leading independent provider of consumer money transfer services. December 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable December 31, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 16, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is the world’s second largest copper producer and a major producer of gold and molybdenum. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.50/share, announced a $1.00/share supplemental dividend and also announced a 2-for-1 stock split. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.

W. P. Carey (WPC) is an investment firm that provides long-term sale-leaseback and build-to-suit transactions for companies worldwide and manages a global investment portfolio. December 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 0.5% to $0.51/share. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.9%.

Taubman Centers (TCO) is the general partner of The Taubman Realty Group L.P., an operating partnership that owns, operates and develops regional shopping centers across the U.S. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.4% to $0.4375/share/share. The dividends are payable on Dec. 31 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 15. The yield based on the new payout is 3.63%.

C.H. Robinson (CHRW) is a global provider of multimodal transportation and logistics solutions has a network of over 230 offices in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. December 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 16% to $0.29/share. The dividend is payable on January 3, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 20, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 16, 2010. CHRW is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Edison Int’l (EIX) is the holding company for Southern California Edison. Other businesses include electric power generation, financial investments, and real estate development. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.6% to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable January 31, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

IAMGOLD (IAG) is a Canada-based mining and exploration company. December 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable January 14, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on December 24, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 22, 2010. In future, the Company plans to pay its dividend semi-annually. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

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 NUE. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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8 Dividend Stock Delivering Good News *

D4L — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:30:28 +0000

If you closely follow the daily financial news as presented by the mainstream media, it is easy become jaded and start believing that there isn’t any good news out there. Don’t be confused by the noise. There are still many great companies committed to generating superior returns and rewarding their shareholder by increasing cash dividends.

Below are several companies that have recently raised their cash dividends:

Cincinnati Financial (CINF) markets primarily property and casualty coverage. It also conducts life insurance and asset management operations. August 16, 2010 the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable October 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of September 22, 2010. CINF is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 50 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.85%.

Autoliv (ALV) develops, manufactures and supplies automotive safety systems to the automotive industry; and designs, develops and manufactures airbag modules. August 17th the company raised its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.35/share. The dividend is payable on Thursday, December 9, 2010 to shareholders of record on the close of business on Thursday, November 4, 2010. The ex-dividend will be Tuesday November 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.48%.

Nordson (NDSN) manufactures equipment used for precision dispensing, testing and inspection, and surface preparation and curing. August 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 14 to shareholders of record on Aug. 31. The ex-dividend date is Aug. 27. NDSN is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.27%.

TrustCo Bank (TRST) operates 132 community banking offices and 134 ATMs throughout its market area. August 17th the company raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.066/share. The dividend is payable on Oct. 1 to shareholders of record on Sept. 3. The ex-dividend date is Sept. 1. The yield based on the new payout is 4.74%.

Lawson Products (LAWS) is a marketer of systems, services and products to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental maintenance repair and operations (MRO) marketplace. August 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable October 12, 2010 to stockholders of record on September 28, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.10%.

First Capital (FCAP) owns and operates First Harrison Bank, which provides banking services through 13 offices in Indiana. August 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend 5.6% to $0.19/share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 14, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.03%.

American Financial Group (AFG) provides specialty and multi-line property and casualty insurance, and sells tax-deferred annuities. August 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.1625/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.24%.

Getty Realty Corp. (GTY) specializes in the ownership and leasing of retail motor fuel and convenience store properties and petroleum distribution terminals in the U.S. August 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend 1.1% to $0.48/share. The dividend is payable on October 14, 2010 to holders of record on September 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 28, 2010. GTY is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 7.95%.

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

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10 Stocks Raising Their Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:30:38 +0000

Are you confident and secure in your investing process? It appears many people were not. From the famed Canadian dividend investor Derek Foster who sold all his dividend investments in February to co-workers who have moved to the sidelines waiting on the bottom. Many investors who lost confidence and exited the market missed the significant rally over the last couple of months.

Below are several companies showing confidence in the future by rewarding their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

G&K Services (GKSR) rents uniforms, and offers uniforms and other related products for sale. This past week, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 7% to $0.075/share. The dividend is payable on September 24, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 17, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.31%.

HCC Insurance (HCC) is a multi-line insurer specializes in aviation, marine, medical stop-loss, offshore energy and property and casualty insurance in the U.S. and the U.K. Recently, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.135/ahare. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record on October 1, 2009, and will be paid on or about October 14, 2009. HCC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.06%.

Delta Natural Gas (DGAS) distributes or transports natural gas to some 38,000 retail customers in central and southeastern Kentucky; and transports natural gas to industrial customers. Last Friday, the company boosted its quarterly dividend 1.6% to $0.325/share. The dividend will be paid September 15, 2009 to all common shareholders of record as of August 31, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 5.18%.

MGE Energy (MGEE) is the holding company is Madison Gas & Electric, which generates and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas in Wisconsin. This past week, the company raised its quarter dividend to $0.3684/share. The dividend is payable Sept. 15, 2009, to shareholders of record Sept. 1, 2009. MGEE is a Dividend Achiever and Dividend Champion, and has increased its dividend for 33 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.01%.

Westlake Chemical (WLK) is an integrated manufacturer of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated vinyl products. Monday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.0575/share. The dividend is payable September 17, 2009, to stockholders of record on September 2, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 0.93%.

Alliance Financial (ALNC) provides financial and banking products and services via 29 customer service facilities and a trust administration center in New York. Tuesday, the company boosted its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable October 2, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 17, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.01%.

Guess? (GES) offers one of the world’s leading lifestyle collections of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Wednesday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.125/share. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.56%.

ESSA Bancorp (ESSA) is a holding company of ESSA Bank & Trust, a full-service, community-oriented savings association. Wednesday, the company jumped its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.48%.

Altria (MO) Yesterday, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.4% to $0.34/share. The quarterly dividend is payable on October 9, 2009 to stockholders of record as of September 15, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 7.44%.

Lawson Products (LAWS) primarily distributes replacement fasteners and other parts. Thursday doubled its quaterly dividend to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable October 13, 2009 to stockholders of record September 29, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.26%.

Increasing dividends are a positive sign that companies have confidence in the future. For 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.