Dividends Value » MO

7 Dividend Stocks Sending More Cash To Shareholders *

Dividends4Life — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:32 +0000

If your goal is to accumulate wealth for a comfortable retirement, then there is no risk-free path. Throughout time every angle has been tried and failed. What appears to be a safe investment in a federally insured CD or money market, may not even be covering inflation. Growth stocks don’t always grow. The astute conservative investor turns to solid dividend paying stocks with a track record of growing their dividends each year.

Below are several companies that have recently elected to send more cash to their shareholders in the form of increased dividends:

Stage Stores (SSI) operates in the U.S., offering brand name and private label apparel, accessories, intimates, home, gifts, outerwear, cosmetics & footwear. August 27th the company increased its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.075/share. The dividend is payable on September 22, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.69%.

Golar LNG (GLNG) owns and operates a fleet of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, carriers. August 27th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share. The record date for the dividend is September 9, 2010, ex-dividend date is September 6, 2010 and the dividend will be paid on or about September 27, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.43%.

Altria Group (MO) is the largest U.S. cigarette producer. August 27th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.6% to $0.38/share. The dividend is payable on October 12, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 13, 2010. MO is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.81%.

Harris Corp. (HRS) focuses on communications equipment for voice, data and video applications for commercial and governmental customers. August 30th the company raised its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable September 17, 2010, to shareholders of record September 8, 2010, with an ex-dividend date is September 6, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.38%.

HCC Insurance (HCC) is a multi-line insurer specializing in aviation, marine, medical stop-loss, offshore energy and property and casualty insurance in the U.S. and the U.K. September 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.4% to $0.145/share. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record on October 1, 2010 and will be paid on or about October 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 29, 2010. HCC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.24%.

Verizon Communications (VZ) offers wireline, wireless and broadband services primarily in the northeastern United States. September 2nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.4875/share. The dividend is payable on November 1, 2010, to Verizon Communications shareholders of record at the close of business on October 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 6, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.5%.

Friedman Industries (FRD) is engaged in steel processing, pipe manufacturing and processing, and steel and pipe distribution. September 2nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 100% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payableon November 19, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 22, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 20, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.

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)

18 Dividend Stocks Raising Their Yield On Cost *

D4L — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:30:21 +0000

For dividend growth investors, there are certain attributes of investments that are more relevant than others, such as yield and dividend growth. To illustrate the power of dividend growth consider that an investment’s yield-on-cost will double every 5 years if they grow their dividend by 15%/year or 7 years at 10%/year or 14 years at 5%/year.

This week several companies took a step toward doubling their shareholders yield-on-cost by increasing their cash dividends:

PG&E Corp. (PCG) is the parent of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. On February 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend to to $0.455/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.33%.

Abbott (ABT) is a leading maker of drugs, nutritional products, diabetes monitoring devices, and diagnostics. February 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.44/share. The cash dividend is payable May 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 13. ABT is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.24%. [Analysis]

ITT Corp (ITT) is a diversified industrial manufacturer of advanced technology products. February 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 1. The dividend yield is 1.95% on the new payout.

Home Depot (HD) operates a chain of over 2,200 retail warehouse-type stores, selling a wide variety of home improvement products. February 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to 23.625/share. The dividend is payable on March 25, 2010, to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 11, 2010. The dividend yield is 3.01% on the new payout.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is a leading consumer products company’s global tissue, personal care and health care brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex and Scott. February 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.66/share. The dividend is payable on April 5, 2010, to stockholders of record on March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. KMB is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.38%. [Analysis]

MOCON (MOCO) makes equipment to test packages and packaging material, and performs consulting and analytical services. February 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on May 21, 2010, to shareholders of record on May 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 5, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.74%.

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.48/share. The dividend will be paid on March 31, 2010, to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.76%.

Altria Group (MO) is the largest U.S. cigarette producer. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.35/share. The dividend is payable on April 9, 2010, to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. MO is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.91%.

Westar Energy (WR) provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services to apx. 674,000 customers in Kansas as of December 31, 2007. February 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.3% to $0.31/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 5. The yield based on the new payout is 5.62%.

Chubb (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. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.7% to $0.37/share. The dividend is payable on April 6 to shareholders of record on March 19. The ex-dividend date is March 17. CB is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 45 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.90%. [Analysis]

Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI) is a REIT focusing on shopping centers and industrial properties. February 24th the company increased its dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 4.92%.

McGrath Rentcorp (MGRC) rents and sells modular buildings and electronic test and measurement equipment; and manufactures and sells portable classrooms. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.225/share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2010, to all shareholders of record on April 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 14, 2010. MGRC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.69%.

Essex Property Trust (ESS) is a real estate investment trust primarily owns and operates multi-family properties in California and the Pacific Northwest. February 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.0325/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2010, will be $1.0325 per share. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. ESS is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.83%.

Donaldson (DCI) operates as a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable March 19th to shareholders of record as of March 5th. The ex-dividend date is March 3. DCI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.147%.

CenturyLink (CTL) provides voice service to 7 million customers and Internet service to 2 million customers in both rural towns and larger cities, like Las Vegas. February 25th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.6% to $0.725/share. The dividend is payable on March 22, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 5, 2010. CTL is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 8.37%.

Gap Inc. (GPS) is a specialty apparel retailer operates Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores. February 25th the company increased its dividend 18% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on April 28, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.96%.

Old Republic Int. (ORI) writes property and liability, mortgage guaranty, title and life, and disability insurance. February 25th the company raised its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.1725/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 5, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 6.1%. ORI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.13%.

Cleco Corp (CNL) generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in Louisiana; holds ownership interest in three steam electric generating stations and one gas turbine. February 25th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.90%.

The only way a company can consistently increase yield-on-cost is to consistently raise their dividends paid. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long ABT, KMB, CTL. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

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.

(Photo Credit)

Best Stocks For 2009 *

D4L — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:30:00 +0000

I always enjoy this time of year. The Christmas music, decorations, family gatherings, holiday plays and stock picks. Stock picks? Yes, ’tis the season for stock predictions! Virtually every financial writer will pen an article selecting his or her top picks for the upcoming year. I enjoy reading them and the logic behind them. As a long-term buy and hold investor, generally most aren’t useful for me; nevertheless, I enjoy reading them. Here are some excerpts and picks from several of the experts:

In Jubak’s Journal, Jim Jubak believes the markets will recover before the larger economy does. He provides 5 picks for the beginning of the year and 5 for later, with lots of caveats. His 5 best stocks for the first half of 2009:

Deere (DE) – a farm machine producer that tracks the price of agricultural commodities.
Enbridge (ENB) – a natural-gas and oil pipeline company that has a 3.8% yield.
ExxonMobil (XOM) – the world’s best integrated oil company for the current environment. [reviewed July 7, 2008]
Flowserve (FLS) – It makes pumps and valves for moving everything from water to oil and has a yield of 2%.
Rayonier (RYN) – a producer of wood products and an owner of timberland. Yield: 7.2%.

His 5 best stocks for the second half of 2009:

Goldcorp (GG) – the world’s low-cost producer of gold.
Google (GOOG) – the dominant Internet search company just gets more dominant.
HSBC (HBC) – the best banking franchise left standing in Asia.
Petrobras (PBR) – The Brazilian national oil company has dozens of new fields under development. It was added to Jubak’s Picks on Aug. 26, 2008.
Thompson Creek Metals (TC) – the second-largest private producer of molybdenum in the world.

In their normal fun and frivolous way the Motley Fool picks The Best Stocks for the Year Ahead. Here are six of them:

Yum! Brands (YUM) – a quick service restaurant with over 35,000 units in more than 100 countries and territories.
PepsiCo (PEP) – a global snack and beverage company. [reviewed May 26, 2008]
Coca-Cola (KO) – a manufacturer, distributor and marketer of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. [reviewed October 22, 2008]
Philip Morris International (PM) – an international tobacco company.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP) – a pipeline transportation ad energy storage company in North America.
Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) – a North American midstream energy company.

Fortune magazine in their The best stocks for 2009 article points out the silver lining of the market meltdown: Equities are cheaper than they’ve been in years. They predict that these ten prospects will flourish during 2009:

Altria (MO) – is the holding company of Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA) and John Middleton, Inc., which are engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Annaly (NLY) – a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and manages a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities.
Dell (DELL) – a technology company, which offers a range of product categories, including desktop personal computer.
Devon Energy (DVN) – an independent energy company engaged primarily in oil and gas exploration, development and production.
Diamond Offshore (DO) – provides contract drilling services to the energy industry worldwide.
Fluor (FLR) – a holding company that, through its subsidiaries, provides engineering, procurement and construction management.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – is engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field. [reviewed October 29, 2008]
Medco Health Solutions (MHS) – a pharmacy benefit manager.
Pfizer (PFE) – a research-based, global pharmaceutical company. [reviewed March 17, 2008]
Potash Corp. (POT) – an integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company.

Finally, Selena Maranjian at the Motley Fool picks a single best stock in the article Best Stock for 2009: Johnson & Johnson. The article points out several important facts about JNJ:

75 consecutive years of sales increases.
24 consecutive years of adjusted earnings increases.
46 consecutive years of dividend increases.

In addition, the stock had a 10-year 140% total return for investors, compared to a 51% total return for the S&P 500.

We are all looking for the perfect stock. Over the years I have evaluated several of the above stocks as potential dividend investments, most did not pan out. Dividend investors are looking for stocks that will perform well over the long run, not just 2009. Of the stocks mentioned above, I am actively buying JNJ, KO and PEP.

Full Disclosure: Long JNJ, KO, PEP and PFE