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.

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