This week a few companies made their shareholders happy by giving them an increase in cash dividends:

Northwestern Corp. (NWE) provides electricity and natural gas in Montana, South
Dakota, and Nebraska. February 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.34/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010, to common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2010, the ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.42%.

Hubbell (HUB.A) produces electrical and electronic products for commercial, industrial, telecommunications, utility and residential applications. February 12the the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.36/share. The dividend will be paid on April 9, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.19%.

Genuine Parts (GPC) is a leading wholesale distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and supplies, and office products. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.41/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. GPC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.03%. [Analysis]

Cooper Industries (CBE) is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of electrical products, tools, and hardware. February 16th the company increases its quarterly dividend to $0.27/share. The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 24, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.27%.

PSEG (PEG) is the holding company for Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), with a service area that encompasses 70% of New Jersey. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.0% to $0.3425/share. The dividend rate is $1.37 annualized. The first dividend in 2010 is payable on March 31, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.46%.

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is the world’s largest bottler of Coca-Cola beverage products, distributing to about 78% of the North American market. Coca-Cola Co. holds about 35% of CCE’s common stock. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable March 25, 2010 to shareowners of record on March 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 10, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.84%.

Rogers Comm (RCI) is a Canadian communications and media company operates in three segments: Wireless, Cable and Media. February 17th the company increases its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.32/share. The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.9%. The yield based on the new payout is 3.89%.

Albemarle (ALB) makes specialty chemicals, intermediates and catalysts for polymers, petroleum refining, agricultural chemicals and pharmaceuticals. February 17th the company raises its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11. The yield based on the new payout is 1.48%.

Sherwin-Williams (SHW) is the largest U.S. producer of paints, is also a major seller of wallcoverings and related products. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend $0.36/share. The dividend is payable on March 12, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 24, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 2.2%. SHW is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 32 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.21%.

Ventas (VTR) is a real estate investment trust invests in health care facilities, including senior housing, specialty care facilities, hospitals, and medical office buildings. February 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.535/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.76%.

Validus Holdings (VR) focuses its underwriting efforts on “short tail” risks, primarily in the property reinsurance market. February 18th the company increases its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.22/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010 to shareholders and warrant holders of record on March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.25%.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) is a leading international retailer, designer, manufacturer, and distributor of fine jewelry and gift items. February 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.20/share. The dividend will be paid on April 12, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 22, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 18, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.85%.

Coca-Cola (KO) is the world’s largest soft drink company with a sizable fruit juice business. February 18th the company increases its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.44/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2010. KO is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 48 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.15%. [Analysis]

T. Rowe Price (TROW) operates one of the largest no-load mutual fund complexes in the United States. February 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable March 29, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 16, 2010. TROW is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.18%.

Your employer may not have given you a raise this year, but if you are invested in good dividend stocks, you will get a dividend increase from them. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long GPC, KO. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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