Dividends Value » OXY

20 CEO’s Showing Confidence With Increased Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 07:30:26 +0000

A person’s character is determined by how they behave when no one else is looking and during difficult times. In much the same way, we can learn a lot about a company’s management when they face adversity. One metric I look at closely during a downturn is cash generation relative to earnings. The ability of a company to grow its dividend throughout the economic cycle is highly dependent on the management’s ability to generate cash in a downturn.

Below are several select companies with a management confident enough to increase their cash dividends:

Calamos Asset Management, Inc. (CLMS) is a globally diversified investment firm offering equity, convertible, defensive equity, fixed- income and alternative investment strategies, among others. February 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 27% to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on March 4, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.3%.

Aetna (AET) is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 35.4 million people. February 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share, up from an annual dividend of $0.04/share. The dividend is payable on April 29, 2011 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.6%.

Temple-Inland Inc. (TIN) is a manufacturing company focused on corrugated packaging and building products. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.13/share, payable March 15, 2011, to shareholders of record March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Bemis Company, Inc. (BMS) is a major supplier of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products, healthcare, and other companies worldwide. February 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.3% to $0.24/share. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2011. This marks the 28th consecutive year that the Company has increased its dividend payment. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

Avista Corp. (AVA) is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.275/share. The common stock dividend is payable March 15, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.7%.

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (JKHY) is a leading provider of computer systems and electronic payment solutions primarily for financial services organizations. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.105/share. The dividend is payable on March 10, 2011, to stockholders of record as of February 22, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Owens & Minor, Inc. (OMI) is a leading national distributor of name-brand medical and surgical supplies and a healthcare supply-chain management company. February 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2011, to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.6%.

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (BWP) provides interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. February 7th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution to $0.52/unit. The distribution is payable on February 24, 2011, to unitholders of record as of February 17, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 6.3%.

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (IPCC) is a national provider of personal automobile insurance with a concentration on nonstandard auto insurance. February 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 28.6% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable on March 25, 2011 to holders of record on March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (NHP) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests primarily in healthcare real estate in the United States. February 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.48/share. The dividend will be paid on March 4, 2011 to stockholders of record on February 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.

L-3 Communications (LLL) is a prime contractor in C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, aircraft modernization and maintenance, and government services. February 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% $0.45/share. This is the seventh consecutive annual increase in L-3’s quarterly dividend rate. The board has also declared the next dividend payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

3M (MMM) operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. February 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.55/share. The dividend is payable on March 12, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

The Northeast Utilities (NU) engages in the energy delivery business for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. February 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.275/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (WYN) encompasses approximately 7,210 franchised hotels and approximately 612,700 hotel rooms worldwide. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.15/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.0%.

Service Corporation International (SCI) is the largest provider of deathcare products and services in North America. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on April 29, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Diebold, Inc. (DBD) is a global leader in providing integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.7% to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable on March 7 to shareholders of record on February 21. This marks the company’s 58th consecutive annual increase. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY), the fourth largest U.S. oil and gas company, is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America regions. February 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.46 per share quarterly dividend will be payable on April 15, 2011, to stockholders of record as of March 10, 2011. Oxy has raised the dividend every year since 2002, raising it 268 percent over the period. The increase brings the company’s compound annual dividend growth rate since 2002 to 15.6 percent. Oxy has paid quarterly dividends continuously since 1975. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Thomson Reuters (TRI) is the world’s leading source of information for businesses and professionals in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare, science, and media markets worldwide. February 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.31/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 22, 2011. This dividend increase marks the 18th consecutive annual dividend increase by the company. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

Textainer Group Holdings Limited (TGH) is the world’s largest lessor of intermodal containers based on fleet size. February 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 7.4% to $0.29/share. In continuing our record of providing shareholders with sizeable and increasing cash distributions, we have now raised our quarterly payout a total of seven times since going public in October 2007 for a cumulative dividend of $3.29 per common share. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

AGL Resources Inc. (AGL) is an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves approximately 2.3 million customers in six states. February 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.45 per share is effective for the dividend payable March 1, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.

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

(Photo Credit)

22 Dividend Stocks Building Long-Term Returns *

D4L — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:30:38 +0000

Investing in Dividend Stocks is a long-term strategy. Frequent buying and selling of dividend stocks can significantly increase your expenses and taxes, thus lowering your returns. A growing dividend is a strong indication of a company’s increasing intrinsic value. Great companies that increase dividends tend to have rising share prices over time. Holding only first-rate businesses protects your dividend streams and helps ensure you’ll also get steady price appreciation.

Below are several companies building future returns with higher cash dividends:

BCE (BCE) is a Canadian wireline and wireless telecommunications company. December 10th the company raised its annual dividend 7.7% to $1.97/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.5%.

Occidental (OXY) has global exploration and production operations. Its subsidiary, OxyChem, is one of the largest U.S. merchant marketers of chlorine and caustic soda. December 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.46/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.02%.

General Electric (GE) sells products ranging from jet engines and gas turbines to consumer appliances, railroad locomotives and medical equipment. It also owns NBC Universal, and is a leading provider of consumer and commercial financing. December 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 25 to shareholders of record on Dec. 27. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 22. The yield based on the new payout is 3.27%.

Honeywell (HON) is the world’s largest maker of cockpit controls, small jet engines and climate control equipment and also makes industrial materials and automotive products. December 10th the company increased its annual dividend 10% to $1.33/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.55%.

Horace Mann (HMN) is an insurance holding company that markets and underwrites personal lines of property and casualty insurance, retirement annuities and life insurance. December 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 37% to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 31 to shareholders on record as of Dec. 20. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 16. The yield based on the new payout is 2.48%.

Iron Mountain (IRM) provides information protection and storage services. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 200% to $0.1875/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 27, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.

Dynex Capital (DX) invests principally in single-family residential and commercial mortgage loans and securities. December 13th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 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 9.5%.

Pfizer (PFE) is the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. It produces a wide range of drugs across a broad therapeutic spectrum. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11.1% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 4, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 2, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.68%.

CSC (CSC) is a computer services company provides consulting, systems integration and outsourcing services. December 13th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on January 13, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 21, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

Colony Financial (CLNY) operates as a commercial mortgage REIT that focuses on acquiring and originating commercial real estate mortgage loans and real estate-related debt. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.1%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) engages in discovering, developing, and delivering medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. December 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable on February 1, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 7, 2011. The ex-dividend date is Jan. 5. The yield based on the new payout is 4.97%.

U-Store-It Trust (YSI) engages in the ownership, operation, acquisition, and development of self-storage facilities in the United States. December 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend 180% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable on January 21, 2011 to common shareholders of record on January 7, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

NB&T Financial (NBTF) provides commercial banking and financial services to individuals and corporate customers in southwestern Ohio. December 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.5% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable January 24, 2011 to shareholders as of record December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.3%.

Realty Income (O) leases its retail properties primarily to regional and national retail chain store operators. December 15th the company increased its monthly dividend to $0.14425/share. The dividend is payable on January 18, 2011 to shareholders of record as of January 3, 2011. The ex-dividend date is December 31, 2010. O is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.

Scholastic Corp. (SCHL) publishes and distributes childrens books, as well as the develops educational technology products in the United States and internationally. December 15th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Moodys Corp (MCO) provides credit ratings and related research, data, and analytical tools; risk management software; and quantitative credit risk measures and credit portfolio management solutions. December 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.115/share. The dividend is payable March 10, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 17, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

ABM Industries (ABM) provides janitorial, parking, security, engineering, and lighting services for commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail facilities in the U.S. and Canada. December 16th the company raised its dividend 3.7% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on February 7, 2011 to stockholders of record on January 6, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 4, 2011. ABM is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years.

Ensign Group (ENSG) provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services in California, Arizona, Texas,Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho. December 16th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.055/share. December 16, 2010 7:26 AM EST The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.055 per share, $0.22 annualized. The yield based on the new payout is 1.0%.

Waste Management (WM) provides integrated waste management services in North America including collection, transfer, recycling, disposal, and waste-to-energy services. December 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.34/share. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.

Autoliv (ALV) develops, manufactures, and supplies automotive safety systems to automotive industry. December 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable on Thursday, March 3, 2011 to shareholders of record on the close of business on Thursday February 3, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2%.

Pentair (PNR) operates as a diversified industrial manufacturing company worldwide. The company’s Water segment offers products and systems that are used in the movement, storage, treatment, and enjoyment of water. December 16th the company raised its annual dividend 5% to $0.80/share. PNR is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Urstadt Biddle (UBA) engages in the acquisition, ownership, and management of commercial real estate properties. December 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.245/share. The dividend is payable January 21, 2011 to stockholders of record on January 7, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 5, 2011. UBA is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.

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

(Photo Credit)

14 Stocks Building Wealth Through Higher Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 07 May 2010 05:01:01 +0000

Some traditionalist would say your home is your greatest wealth building asset. I would argue it is not. Others would say your income is your greatest wealth building asset. Though there is a lot of truth to the statement, it is still not your greatest wealth building asset. So, what is your greatest wealth building asset? Everyone is born with it. Few realize its importance until they lose most of it. The asset is so priceless it can’t be bought. Your most valuable wealth building asset is time.

With time, you can wait for blue-chip stocks to build a high yield-on-cost by growing their dividends. Below are several companies building shareholder wealth by recently increasing their cash dividends:

Franklin Electric (FELE) designs, manufactures, and distributes groundwater and fuel pumping systems. April 30th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on May 13 to shareholders of record on May 27. The ex-dividend date is May 26. FELE is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.54%.

Fifth Street Finance (FSC) is a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies. May 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable June 30, 2010, to shareholders of record as of May 20, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 18, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 10.05%.

Textainer Group (TGH) is engaged in the purchase, management, leasing, and resale of a fleet of marine cargo containers worldwide. May 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.3% to $0.24/share. The dividend is payable on May 26, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of May 17, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.01%.

TECO Energy (TE) serves the Tampa Bay region in west central Florida and has significant diversified operations related to its core business. May 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.205/share. The dividend is payable May 28 to shareholders of record as of May 14, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.18%.

Cardinal Health (CAH) is one of the leading wholesale distributors of pharmaceuticals, medical/surgical supplies, and related products to a broad range of health care customers. May 5th the company raised its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.195/share. The dividend is payable on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 1. The ex-dividend date is June 29. CAH is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.26%.

Talisman Energy (TLM) explores, develops, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, mainly in North America, the North Sea and Southeast Asia. May 5th the company increases its semi-annual dividend 11% to C$0.125/share. The dividend will be paid on June 30, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Microchip (MCHP) supplies microcontrollers and analog and other semiconductor products for a wide variety of high-volume embedded control applications. May 5th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.342/share. The dividend is payable on June 2, 2010, to stockholders of record on May 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.90%.

Cognex Corp. (CGNX) is a provider of machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information used to automate tasks where vision is required. May 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06/share. The dividend announced today is payable on June 18, 2010, to all shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.90%.

Cablevision (CVC) is the fifth largest cable multiple system operator (MSO) in the U.S. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.125/share. Cablevision President and CEO James L. Dolan commented: “Given our strong performance, we have increased our dividend by 25 percent, enabling us to provide even more value to our shareholders.” The yield based on the new payout is 2.01%.

Biovail Corp. (BVF) is engaged in the formulation, clinical testing, registration and manufacture of drug products using advanced drug delivery technologies. May 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on July 5, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business June 2, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 31, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.39%.

Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) operates the largest U.S. railroad, with over 32,000 miles of rail serving the western two-thirds of the country. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 22% to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable July 1, 2010, to stockholders of record on May 28, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.83%.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S., OXY has global operations in exploration and production. Its subsidiary OxyChem is the largest U.S. merchant marketer of chlorine and caustic soda. May 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.38/share. The dividend is payable on July 15, 2010, to stockholders of record as of June 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.89%.

RLI Corp. (RLI) provides selected property, casualty and surety insurance. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.29/share. The dividend is payable on July 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2010. RLI is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 35 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.06%.

Public Storage (PSA) invests primarily in self-service storage facilities (mini-warehouses), but also in commercial and industrial properties. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.80/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.06%.

To maximize long-term wealth we must find companies that will grow their dividends well into the future. 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)

IBM Assumes Familiar Leadership Role *

D4L — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:30:26 +0000

IBM (IBM), a name once synonymous with blue-chip technology, faced a near-death experience in the early 1990′s when it misjudged the importance of PCs at a time when demand for mainframes was waning and corporate downsizing was in full swing. IBM has never been able to regain it technology bellwether crown from Microsoft (MSFT) and Intel (INTC), but it has taken steps to regain its leadership role.

Last Tuesday, IBM stood up and was counted as a leader. At a time when the ill-prepared and the fearful are cutting dividends and hoarding cash, IBM increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.55/share and announced a $3 billion share repurchase program. The company has increased its quarterly dividend by 175% percent since 2006 and this is the 14th consecutive increase. The dividend is payable June 10, 2009 to stockholders of record May 8, 2009. based on the new rate, IBM is currently yielding: 2.10%

Below are many other companies joining IBM as leaders andrewarding their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) increased its qtr. dividend 2% to $0.43/share. Yield 3.54% (analysis)
Donegal Group (DGICA) raised its qtr. dividend to $0.112/share. Yield: 3.07%
Valmont Industries (VMI) ups its qtr. dividend 15.4% to $0.15/share, Yield: 0.95%
Bemis (BMS) boosts qtr dividend to $0.225/share. Yield: 3.72%
Costco Wholesale (COST) increased its qtr dividend to $0.18/share. Yield: 1.50%
BOK Financial (BOKF) raised its qtr. dividend 6.7% to $0.24/share. Yield: 2.48%
W.W. Grainger (GWW) ups its qtr. dividend 15% to $0.46/share. Yield: 2.22%
Talisman Energy (TLM) boosts its semi-annual dividend 12.5% to $0.1125/share. Yield: 1.47%
ExxonMobil (XOM) increased its qtr. dividend to $0.42/share. Yield: 2.45%
UGI Corporation (UGI) raised its qtr dividend 4% to $0.20/share. Yield: 3.35%
Safeway (SWY) ups qtr. dividend 21% to $0.10/share. Yield: 1.56%
Occidental (OXY) boosts qtr. dividend 3.1% to $0.33/share. Yield: 2.23%

Hopefully, this is just the beginning and in the coming weeks we will continue to see more dividend increases. For more companies 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: Steve Woods)