This week several companies provided their shareholders with a special delivery in the form of higher cash dividends:

Myers Industries (MYE) manufactures a diverse range of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial and consumer markets. March 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.065/share. The dividend is payable April 5, 2010, to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 10. The yield based on the new payout is 2.52%.

NYMAGIC, INC. (NYM) is an insurance holding company whose property and casualty insurance subsidiaries specialize in underwriting ocean marine, inland marine and non-marine liability insurance. March 5th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on April 6, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.23%.

Applied Materials (AMAT) is the world’s largest manufacturer of wafer fabrication equipment for the semiconductor industry. March 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.07/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.28%.

Medicis (MRX) develops and markets prescription and OTC products for the treatment of certain dermatological conditions. March 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.01%.

Cohen & Steers (CNS) manages high-income equity portfolios, specializing in U.S. REITs, international real estate securities, preferred securities, utilities and infrastructure securities. March 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 100% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on April 16, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.72%.

In selecting the best dividend investments, one must focus on growing cash dividends over time. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned stocks. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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Below are several companies rewarding their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

Brady Corp. (BRC) is an international manufacturer and marketer of solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Products include labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Recently, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.9% to $0.17/share. The dividend will be paid on October 30, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 9, 2009. BRC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.33%.

Village Super Market (VLGEA) operates a chain of 23 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This past week, the company raised its dividend 7% to $0.23/share. The dividend is payable on October 22, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 1, 2009. The ex-dividend date is September 29th. The current yield based on the new dividend is 3.14%.

Agree Realty (ADC) is a real estate investment trust that engages in the development, acquisition, and management of retail properties leased to national and regional retail companies in the U.S. Monday, the company bumped its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.51/share. The dividend is payable October 15, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 8.59%.

Philip Morris Int’l (PM) increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.58/share. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.88%.

Kroger (KR) a supermarket operator, with about 2,500 stores in 31 states, also operates convenience stores, jewelry stores, supermarket fuel centers, and food processing plants. Thursday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 5.5% to $0.095/share. The dividend will be paid on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 16, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.83%.

W. P. Carey (WPC) owns and manages a diversified portfolio of net leased corporate real estate. Yesterday, the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.50/share. This is the company’s 34th consecutive distribution increase. The current yield based on the new dividend is 7.01%.

Corporate Office Properties (OFC) owns, manages, leases, acquires and develops suburban office properties located in Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. and other select markets. Thursday the company bumped its quarterly dividend 5.4% to $0.3925/share. The dividend will be paid on October 15, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2009. OFC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.10%.

Texas Instruments (TXN) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors, and also produces hand-held graphing and scientific calculator products. The company yesterday increased its quarterly dividend 9% $0.12/share. The dividend will be payable November 16, 2009, to stockholders of record on October 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.03%.

NYMAGIC, INC. (NYM) specializes in ocean marine, inland marine and non-marine liability insurance. Thursday, the company increased its dividend to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on October 6, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.44%.

This year many companies have increased their dividends and there will be more to do so before the year end. For 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.

(Photo Credit)