Consumer Goods Attributes

Demand for household and personal care products is generally stable and not affected by changes in the economy or other factors. There are certain things people will continue to purchase no matter how bad the economy gets. If you lose your job, you probably won’t stop bathing, washing your clothes, brushing your teeth or stop buying toilet paper. Given the relatively low price of most consumer goods, consumers often prefer to pay a few pennies more for a name brand that they are confident with.

Raw material costs is a primary driver of profitability, and the larger more established companies are in a better position to negotiate better terms. Growth comes from a growing population and expanding into emerging markets where the people are starting to earn a wage they can not only life on, but begin to buy things we consider necessities.

Consumer Goods Companies

Below are several leading Consumer Goods companies that I follow. The companies selected have a dividend yield in excess of 2.25% and have raised their dividends for at least 5 years (all but one are in excess of 10 years).

McCormick & Company (MKC) | Yield: 2.3% | Growth: 8.3% | Years: 24
McCormick & Company Inc. manufactures, markets and distributes flavor products and other specialty food products to the entire food industry.

J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) | Yield: 2.6% | Growth: 7.6% | Years: 12
J.M. Smucker Co.’s products include coffee, fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, health and natural foods, and beverages. The Folgers coffee business was acquired in November 2008.

Colgate-Palmolive (CL) | Yield: 2.6% | Growth: 12.5% | Years: 47
Colgate-Palmolive Company (Colgate) is a major consumer products company that markets oral, personal and household care, and pet nutrition products in more than 200 countries and territories.

Weyco Group, Inc. (WEYS) | Yield: 2.7% | Growth: 15.0% | Years: 29
Weyco Group, Inc. distributes, wholesale & retail, men’s branded footwear in the U.S., Canada, Europe; offers casual footwear, dress shoes and accessories under Florsheim, other brands.

Coca-Cola Company (KO) | Yield: 2.8% | Growth: 7.3% | Years: 48
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest soft drink company, KO also has a sizable fruit juice business.

Bemis Company, Inc. (BMS) | Yield: 2.8% | Growth: 2.2% | Years: 27
Bemis Company Inc. is a leading maker of a broad range of flexible packaging and pressure-sensitive materials.

Pepsico, Inc. (PEP) | Yield: 2.9% | Growth: 6.5% | Years: 38
PepsiCo, Inc. is a major international producer of branded beverage and snack food products.

V.F. Corporation (VFC) | Yield: 3.0% | Growth: 2.1% | Years: 36
V.F. Corp is global apparel company, with leading shares in denim and daypacks. It is transforming itself into a designer and marketer of lifestyle apparel brands.

Procter & Gamble (PG) | Yield: 3.0% | Growth: 7.0% | Years: 54
The Procter & Gamble Company is a leading consumer products company markets household and personal care products in more than 180 countries.

Sonoco Products Co. (SON) | Yield: 3.1% | Growth: 1.9% | Years: 27
Sonoco Products Co. makes paper and plastic packaging products serving various industries and markets in more than 85 countries.

Avon Products, Inc. (AVP) | Yield: 3.1% | Growth: 4.8% | Years: 20
Avon Products Inc. is the world’s leading direct marketer of cosmetics, toiletries, fashion jewelry, and fragrances and has more than 5 million sales representatives worldwide.

The Clorox Company (CLX) | Yield: 3.4% | Growth: 9.3% | Years: 35
The Clorox Company is a diversified producer of household cleaning, grocery and specialty food products and is also a leading producer of natural personal care products.

H.J. Heinz Company (HNZ) | Yield: 3.8% | Growth: 1.9% | Years: 7
The H.J. Heinz Company produces a wide variety of food products worldwide, primarily condiments, convenience meals and snacks.

Kimberly-Clark Co. (KMB) | Yield: 4.1% | Growth: 6.7% | Years: 38
Kimberly Clark Corp. is a global consumer products company that produces tissue, personal care and health care. Its brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, Scott and Kimberly-Clark.

Leggett & Platt, Inc. (LEG) | Yield: 4.7% | Growth: 3.0% | Years: 38
Leggett & Platt Inc makes a broad line of bedding and furniture components and other home, office and commercial furnishings, as well as diversified products for non-furnishings markets.

Conclusion

The Consumer Goods is the third largest sector in my database of dividend stocks. Of the 198 stocks that I track, it currently is represented by 30 stocks (15%). As noted above this is a very important sector for dividend growth investors. It it brings yield stability and potential growth to an income portfolio. Many income and value portfolios are over-weighted in Consumer Goods, including Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 42%. Keep the soap and toilet paper coming!

Full Disclosure: Long CL, KO, PEP, PG, CLX, KMB, LEG. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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- Underlying Indices – S&P 500
- Weighting – Equally weighted; Constituents re-weighted quarterly
- Reconstitution – Reviewed annually in December

Among others, Dividend Aristocrats include these highly recognizable names, with years of consecutive dividend increases shown:

- 3M Co. (MMM) – 52 years
- Abbott Laboratories (ABT) – 38 years
- Clorox Co (CLX) – 35 years
- Coca-Cola Co (KO) – 48 years
- Exxon (XOM) – 28 years
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – 48 years
- McDonald’s Corp (MCD) – 34 years
- Procter & Gamble (PG) – 54 years
- Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) – 36 years

Members may be deleted during the December rebalance if calendar-year dividends did not increase from the previous year, or intra-year if the stock is removed from the underlying S&P 500.

On December 2nd, S&P announced changes to the Dividend Aristocrats Index. Standard & Poor’s will perform the annual reconstitution of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index after the close of trading on Friday, December 17, 2010.

The following stocks will be added to the Dividend Aristocrats:

- McCormick & Company (MKC)
- Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL)
- Ecolab Inc. (ECL)

The following stocks will be dropped from the Dividend Aristocrats:

- Eli Lilly And Company (LLY)
- SUPERVALU Inc. (SVU)
- Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (TEG)

After last year’s significant decline, it is good see the membership number level off. The previous two years were difficult for dividend stocks, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. During good times it is easy for companies to increase dividends, and many companies were added to the index. It is during times of adversity that we learn who the real aristocrats are.

Full Disclosure: Long MMM, ABT, CLX, KO, JNJ, LLY, MCD, PG, TEG, WMT. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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Consider the following table:

The first column is the initial yield of the stock. The second column is the dividend growth rate over the period. The final 3 columns are the yields on cost (YOC) after the 5th, 10th and 20th years.  After 10 years, the YOC has either doubled (initial yields of 1%-4%), nearly doubled (initial yield of 5%) of exceeded 10% (initial yields of 6%-9%). After 20 years all the YOCs exceeded 10% except the 1% initial yield. Note that the sum of each initial yield and growth rate equals 12%, which is a nice rule of thumb to look for.

The following dividend stocks have a current yield + growth rate between 10%-12%:

There is no hard and fast rule to what initial yield + growth rate should equal. To be more conservative you could limit your selection criteria to less than 10%. This of course will lower the future YOC, but highlight stocks that should have a greater chance of performing. As always, a careful evaluation should be performed before buying or selling any stock.

Full Disclosure: Long ABT, JNJ, HGIC, KMB, INTC, CTL, PG, KO. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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Below are several dividend stocks that did not miss their opportunity increase cash dividends:

Donaldson Co. (DCI) operates as a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. November 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable December 17, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 6, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 2, 2010. DCI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1%.

South Jersey Industries (SJI) is an energy services holding company that provides energy related products and services. November 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 10.6% to $0.365/share. The dividend is payable December 29, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. SJI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

York Water (YORW) impounds, purifies and distributes water in York County and Adams County, Pennsylvania. November 22nd the company increased quarterly dividend 2.3% to $0.131/share. The dividend is payable January 14, 2011 to shareholders as of record date December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.

Hormel Foods (HRL) is a leading processor of branded, convenience meat products (primarily pork) for the consumer market. November 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.25/share. The quarterly dividend is payable Feb. 15, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 23, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BDX) provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products used in hospitals, doctors’ offices, research labs and other settings. November 23rd the company increased quarterly dividend 10.8% to $0.41/share. The dividend will be payable on December 31, 2010 to holders of record on December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. BDX is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 37 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

Ship Finance Int’l (SFL) owns an international fleet of crude oil tankers, which are leased under long-term, fixed-price charters. November 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.9% to $0.36/share. The dividend is payable on or about December 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date will be December 6, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.2%.

RGC Resources (RGCO) distributes and sells natural gas in Virginia to residential, commercial and industrial users through underground mains and service lines. November 23rd increased quarterly dividend 3% to $0.36/share. The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 14, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.4%.

Guess? (GES) offers one of the world’s leading lifestyle collections of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children, sold in multiple channels including wholesale, company-owned retail locations, e-commerce, and licensed stores. November 23rd the company raised increased its quarterly dividend to $0.20/share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.6%.

Raymond James (RJF) offers securities brokerage, investment banking, financial planning, banking and investment advisory and related financial services. November 23rd the company raises its quarterly dividend by 18% to $0.13/share. November 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend by 18% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 19 to shareholders of record on Jan. 3. The yield based on the new payout is 1.81%.

McCormick (MKC) manufactures, marketing and distribution of spices, herbs, seasonings, specialty foods and flavors to the entire food industry. November 23rd raised its quarterly dividend 8% from to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record on Dec. 31. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 29. MKC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Oriental Financial (OFG) provides a range of financial products and services primarily in Puerto Rico and Florida. November 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record on Dec. 31. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 29. The yield based on the new payout is 1.68%.

Abington Bancorp (ABBC) owns Abington Savings Bank, d/b/a Abington Bank, which provides various financial products and services in Pennsylvania. November 24th the company increased quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 21 to shareholders of record on Dec. 7. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 3. The yield based on the new payout is 2.02%.

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.

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I. Consumer Goods (13%)

Consumer goods are items purchased for personal or household use. These would include items such as soap, detergent, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, toothpaste, candies, sodas, etc. These tend to be non-cyclical and many of the products are low cost. Since the demand for these products are less affected by the economic cycle and the industries are mature, the companies tend to generate relatively stable and predictable cash flows. These characteristics are exactly what you look for in a great dividend company. Below are some examples of companies in the consumer goods sector:

Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is a consumer products company, whose products are marketed throughout the world. Colgate’s Oral Care products include toothpaste, toothbrushes, oral rinses, dental floss and pharmaceutical products.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 47 | Yield: 2.44%

McCormick & Company (MKC) primarily produces spices, seasonings and flavorings for the retail food, food service and industrial markets. Trademarks include McCormick and Schilling.
Years of Dividend Growth: 24 | Yield: 2.70%

Procter & Gamble (PG ) is focused on providing branded consumer goods products. The Company markets its products in more than 180 countries.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 53 | Yield: 2.90%

Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the world’s largest soft drink company. It engages in the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates, fruit juices and syrups worldwide.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 48 | Yield: 3.35%

Kimberly-Clark Co (KMB) is a global consumer products company produces tissue, personal care and health care. Its brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, Scott and Kimberly-Clark.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 38 | Yield: 4.22%

II. Financial Services (17%)

Have you ever had to pay a bank fee, origination point on a loan, or have you ever filed an insurance claim and were not satisfied with the amount of money you received? Financial stocks are cash cows – they generate large cash flows with minimal capital and ongoing expenses. Historically, these have been some of the best dividend growth stocks, at least until the industry became overly aggressive and made bad operating and investing decisions. Here are several financial companies that survived the last downturn:

Eaton Vance Corp. (EV) is a Boston-based holding company that is primarily engaged in investment management.
Years of Dividend Growth: 30 | Yield: 2.23%

T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW) operates one of the largest no-load mutual fund complexes in the United States.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 30 | Yield: 2.30%

Chubb Corporation (CB) is one of the largest U.S. property-casualty insurers, Chubb has carved out a number of niches, including high-end personal lines and specialty liability lines coverage.
Years of Dividend Growth: 46 | Yield: 2.86%

Harleysville Group Inc. (HGIC) is a regional holding company for property and casualty insurance companies that operates in 32 states, primarily in the eastern half of the U.S.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 23 | Yield: 4.29%

Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) markets primarily property and casualty coverage; it also conducts life insurance and asset management operations.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 50 | Yield: 5.92%

III. Industrial Materials (18%)

Companies classified as industrial materials are those engaged in the manufacturing or production of machinery, raw materials or component parts for use or consumption by other industries or firms. These companies don’t make the consumer goods, but they make the machinery and supply the raw materials that are used to manufacture them. Many of these companies are mature with established markets, strong customer relationships and often hold an exclusive right to their proprietary manufacturing process. Below are some companies in the industrial materials sector:

United Technologies Corp. (UTX) is an aerospace-industrial conglomerate with a portfolio including Pratt & Whitney jet engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Otis elevators and Carrier air conditioners, among other products.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 18 | Yield: 2.55%

Dover Corporation Corp. (DOV) manufactures a broad range of specialized industrial products and sophisticated manufacturing equipment.
Years of Dividend Growth: 55 | Yield: 2.42%

Emerson Electric (EMR) primarily makes backup power equipment for telecom and Internet providers and users, climate control components, and electric motors.
Years of Dividend Growth: 53 | Yield: 2.95%

Nucor Corporation (NUE) is engaged in the manufacture and sale of steel and steel products. As the largest minimill steelmaker in the U.S., Nucor has one of the most diverse product lines of any steelmaker in the Americas.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 37 | Yield: 3.73%

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.
Analysis | Years of Dividend Growth: 37 | Yield: 4.60%

It is no surprise the above three sectors carry the highest allocation in my income portfolio. To keep my asset allocation balanced, I must overweight other sectors in my non-income portfolios. In the same way that too many deserts will expose you to unnecessary health risks, being over-allocated in any sector put your portfolio at risk.

Full Disclosure: Long CL, CINF, PG, KO, KMB, HGIC, CINF, UTX, EMR, NUE. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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Being very young and naive, my mom had a tough time convincing me that it was just a trick and something like that didn’t really exist. Sorry mom, but you were wrong on this one. The “Magnificent Marvelous Money Machine” does exist, but it has a different name. It is called Dividend Growth Investing.

Below are several companies that are multiplying their shareholders return by increasing their cash dividends:

Brinker (EAT) operates or franchises over 1,700 casual dining restaurants, including more than 1,500 Chili’s, and owns a minority interest in Romano’s Macaroni Grill. March 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend 27% to $0.14/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.95%.

Todd Shipyards (TOD) a shipyard and dry dock facilities in the Pacific Northwest. March 29th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.075/share. The dividend is payable June 23, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of June 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.83%.

Wayne Savings (WAYN) is the holding company for two bank subsidiaries that operate banking offices in Ohio. March 29th the company increases its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on April 28, 2010 to stockholders of record as of April 14, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.84%.

Oxford Industries (OXM) produces branded and private label apparel for men, women, and children. March 30th the company raised its quarterly dividend 22% to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.16%.

In addition to the above dividend raisers, two Dividend Achiever declared regular quarterly cash dividends. March 26th AT&T (T) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.42/share with a 6.50% yield [Analysis]. The dividend is payable on May 3, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 9, 2010. Also, McCormick & Company (MKC) on March 31st declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26/share with a 2.70% yield. The dividend is payable April 26, 2010, to shareholders of record on April 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 8, 2010.

It is a cute trick to turn one dollar into five, but great dividend stocks grow their payout on a consistent basis. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

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

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Dividend Aristocrats: Companies in the S&P 500 that have followed a policy of consistently increasing dividends every year for at least 25 consecutive years. As the name denotes, these are the best of the best – the blue blood stocks, including names like:

- Clorox Co (CLX) | Yield: 3.30%
- Coca-Cola Co (KO) | Yield: 2.90% | Analysis
- Emerson Electric (EMR)| Yield: 2.80% | Analysis
- Exxon Mobil (XOM)| Yield: 2.60%
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)| Yield: 3.10% | Analysis
- McDonald’s Corp (MCD)| Yield: 3.40% | Analysis
- Procter & Gamble (PG)| Yield: 2.80% | Analysis
- Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) | Yield: 2.00% | Analysis

US Broad Dividend Achievers: Is comprised of companies incorporated in the United States or its territories, trade on the NYSE, NASDAQ or AMEX, and have increased their annual regular dividend payments for the last ten or more consecutive years. Notable names on this list include:

- Chevron Corporation (CVX) | Yield: 3.70%
- Donaldson Company (DCI) | Yield: 1.10%
- McCormick & Co. (MKC) | Yield: 2.80%
- Nucor Corp. (NUE) | Yield: 3.20% | Analysis
- Raven Industries, Inc. (RAVN) | Yield: 1.90% | Analysis

The U.S. Dividend Champions: Is maintained by Dave Fish of MoneyPaper. The list is updated monthly and located at the The Drip Investing Resource Center. Like the Dividend Aristocrats above the Dividend Champions list looks for companies that have increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years. However, since S&P 500 membership is not a requirement, the list is larger than the Dividend Aristocrats list and also includes small-cap companies.

- Bowl America (BWL.A) | Yield: 4.50%
- Conn. Water Service (CTWS) | Yield: 4.00%
- Weyco Group Inc. (WEYS) | Yield: 2.70%

Needless to say, last year saw many companies fall off the list. Overall the number of constituents fell to 218 stocks in 2010 from 319 in 2009. What made last year so unusual were the number of big-name companies that no longer qualified for inclusion on the list, some that had paid increasing dividends for decades, including:

- American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
– Bank of America Corporation (BAC)
– General Electric Co. (GE)
- The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
- Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI)
- Pfizer Inc. (PFE)
- US Bancorp (USB)

The news wasn’t all bad. Partially offsetting the 133 companies that fell off the list were 32 new companies joining the Dividend Stock Ideas List. For the most part, these aren’t household names, not yet at least, but here are some names we will likely be seeing in the future:

- Arrow Financial Corporation (AROW) | Yield: 3.90%
- Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (ETP) | Yield: 7.80%
- Federated Investors, Inc. (FII) | Yield: 3.70%
- Getty Realty Corp. (GTY) | Yield: 8.50%
- Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (HCBK) | Yield: 4.60%
- Investors Real Estate Trust (IRET) | Yield: 7.80%
- NSTAR (NST) | Yield: 4.60%
- Northeast Utilities (NU) | Yield: 3.80%
- Plains All American Pipeline LP (PAA) | Yield: 6.80%
- Suburban Propane Partners LP (SPH) | Yield: 7.30%

You can see the entire Dividend Stock Idea List here. Remember, not every stock listed here is a great dividend investment, but virtually all great dividend investments are on this list.

Full Disclosure: Long CLX, KO, EMR, JNJ, MCD, PG, WMT, CVX, NUE. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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Several companies this week provided their investors a Thanksgiving bonus in the form of higher cash dividends:

Roper (ROP) makes high-tech industrial equipment and analytical instruments, primarily for oil and gas producers, semiconductor equipment makers, and industrial companies. November 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on January 29, 2010, to stockholders of record as of January 08, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 6. ROP is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 0.71%.

United Bankshares (UBSI) is a multi-bank holding company operates 114 full service offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Washington, DC. November 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.4% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on January 4 to shareholders of record on December 11. The yield based on the new payout is 6.87%.

Haynes International (HAYN) develops, manufactures and markets technologically advanced, high-performance alloys used in aerospace, chemical processing and land-based gas turbine industries. November 23rd the company declared its first quarterly dividend. of $0.20/share. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 3.13%.

Hormel Foods (HRL) is a leading processor of branded, convenience meat products
(primarily pork) for the consumer market. November 24th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.21/share. The dividend will be paid February 15, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 2010. HRL is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 43 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.20%.

Becton, Dickinson (BDX) provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products
used in hospitals, doctors’ offices, research labs and other settings. November 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.1% to $0.37/share. The dividend will be payable on January 4, 2010 to holders of record on December 14, 2009. BDX is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.96%.

York Water (YORW) impounds, purifies and distributes water in York County and Adams County, Pennsylvania. November 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.128/share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2010 to shareholders as of record date December 31, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 3.53%.

RGC Resources (RGCO) distributes and sells natural gas in Virginia to residential, commercial and industrial users through underground mains and service lines. November 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.33/share. The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 13, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 4.77%.

Oritani Financial (ORIT) owns Oritani Savings Bank, which operates 19 offices in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. November 24th the company boosted its quarterly dividend to $0.075/share. The dividend will be payable to stockholders of record as of December 7, 2009 and will be paid on December 21, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 17, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 2.33%.

McCormick (MKC) produces spices, seasonings and flavorings for the retail food, food service and industrial markets. November 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.26/share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2010 to shareholders of record December 31, 2009. MKC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.86%.

Stocks that work the hardest for you are those that consistently grow their dividends. For a list of 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.

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I. S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats

These stocks are the best of the best – the blue blood stocks. S&P maintains the list. Here is a description from their site:

S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats is designed to measure the performance of S&P 500 index constituents that have followed a policy of consistently increasing dividends every year for at least 25 consecutive years. This index is a member of the S&P Dividend Aristocrats index series.

Index constituents exhibit the following characteristics:

• Underlying Indices – S&P 500
• Weighting – Equally weighted; Constituents re-weighted quarterly
• Reconstitution – Reviewed annually in December

Members may be deleted during the December rebalance if calendar-year dividends did not increase from the previous year, or intra-year if the stock is removed from the underlying S&P 500.

Among others, Dividend Aristocrats include these highly recognizable names:

• Clorox Co (CLX)
• Coca-Cola Co (KO)
• Exxon Mobil (XOM)
• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
• McDonald’s Corp (MCD)
• Procter & Gamble (PG)
• Wal-Mart Stores (WMT)

II. US Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index

This index is maintained by Idxis. Here is the description from their website:

The Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index is comprised of companies incorporated in the United States or its territories, trade on the NYSE, NASDAQ or AMEX, and have increased their annual regular dividend payments for the last ten or more consecutive years. In addition, Indxis requires that a stock’s average daily cash volume exceed $500,000 per day in the November and December prior to the annual reconstitution date on the last trading date in January. The Index is calculated using a modified market capitalization weighting methodology and has been published by the American Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DAA since December 5, 2003.

Select US companies with at least ten consecutive years of increasing regular dividends. US companies must be listed on the NYSE, AMEX or NASDAQ. US Companies must have a minimum average daily cash volume of US$500,000 per day for the November and December prior to each Annual Reconstitution Date.

Here are several prominent companies that are Dividend Achievers:

• Chevron Corporation (CVX)
• Donaldson Company (DCI)
• McCormick & Co. (MKC)
• Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC)

III. International Dividend Achievers™ Index

This index is maintained by Idxis. Here is the description from their website:

The International Dividend Achievers™ Index is designed to track the performance of dividend paying American Depositary Receipts and foreign common stocks trading on major US exchanges. To become eligible for inclusion in the International Dividend Achievers Index a stock must be incorporated outside the United States, trade on the NYSE, NASDAQ or AMEX, and have increased its annual regular dividend payments for the last five or more consecutive years. In addition, Indxis requires that a stock’s average daily cash volume exceed $500,000 per day in November and December prior to each annual reconstitution in January. The Index is calculated using a dividend yield weighting methodology and is calculated by American Stock Exchange under the symbol DAT since August 1, 2005.

To become eligible for inclusion, a company must be incorporated outside of the United States. The companies must be have an American Depository Receipt or common stock trading on NYSE, NASDAQ or AMEX. Companies must have paid increasing regular annual dividends for five or more consecutive years. The average daily cash volume must exceed $500,000 in US$ in the November and December prior to reconstitution.

The International Dividend Achievers are filled with companies that touch our lives on a daily basis including:

• Toyota Motor Corp. (TM)
• Panasonic Corp (PC)
• Nokia Corp. (NOK)
• BP p.l.c. (BP)
• Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)

IV. The U.S. Dividend Champions

This list is maintained by Dave Fish of MoneyPaper is regularly updated and located at the The Drip Investing Resource Center. Here is a description from the spreadsheet:

The initial goal was to identify companies that had increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years, but, as explained below, the definition was broadened to include additional companies that had paid higher dividends without having increased the quarterly payout in every calendar year. I also decided to follow companies that had increased their dividend for 20-24 straight years, since they are likely to join the 25-year “Champions” soon. It was also necessary to resolve discrepancies between the streak claimed by the company and information from outside sources, which is why the “(Per Company)” sub-title is included.

All the U.S. Dividend Champions names may not be as familiar, but it includes some smaller companies not found on the other lists such as:

• Florida Public Utilities (FPU)
• Bowl America (BWL.A)
• Middlesex Water Co. (MSEX)
• Telephone & Data Sys. (TDS)
• Weyco Group Inc. (WEYS)

Bringing It All Together

The above four lists contain a significant number of companies, and unfortunately a great deal of duplication. I am in the process of building a single list that eliminates the multiple entries for the same company. It is my goal to eventually have a minimum amount of analysis on each company. To that end, I have posted an aggregated list as Stock Ideas under the Analysis section. It is still very rough around the edges, but keep checking in, it will get better as time passes.

Not every stock listed is a great dividend investment, but virtually all great dividend investments are on the list.

Full Disclosure: Long BP, CLX, CNI, CVX, JNJ, KO, MCD, PG, WMT

(Photo: ilker)

Here are several stocks living up to shareholders’ expectations by raising their cash dividends:

• NIKE (NKE) Boosts Dividend by 8.7% to $0.25/share (2.07%)
• Donaldson (DCI) Boosts Qtr. Dividend 5% to $0.115/share (1.53%)
• South Jersey Industries (SJI) Raises Dividend 10% to $0.2975/share (3.11%)
• United Bankshares (UBSI) Increases Dividend 3% to $0.29/share (3.41%)
• Hormel Foods (HRL) Raises Annual Dividend 2.6% to $0.76/share (2.89%)
• Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) Boosts Qtr. Dividend by 15.8% to $0.33/share (2.08%)
• RGC Resources (RGCO) Increases Dividend by 10% to $0.32/share (4.97%)
• The York Water Company’s (YORW) Boosts Qtr. Dividend by 4.1% to $0.126/share(4.48%)
• McCormick & Company (MKC) Boosts Dividend 9% to $0.24/share (3.23%)
• Landauer (LDR) Increases Dividend 5% to $0.525/share (3.47%)

After running these companies through my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, DCI and BDX, both Dividend Achievers, had NPV of MMA Differentials close enough to earn a more complete evaluation. HRL, MKC and LDR had positive NPV of MMA Differentials, but below the level required level for a more detailed evaluation. None of the others warranted additional consideration.

Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned stocks.

(Photo: Steve Woods)