Below are several companies that have recently increased their cash dividends to shareholders:

Philip Morris Int’l (PM), comprising the international operations spun off by Altria in early 2008, is the largest publicly traded manufacturer and marketer of tobacco products. September 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10.3% to $0.64/share. The dividend is payable on Oct. 8 to shareholders of record on Sept. 24. The ex-dividend date is Sept. 22. The yield based on the new payout is 4.67%.

Colony Financial (CLNY) is a real estate finance company that was organized to acquire, originate and manage a diversified portfolio of real estate-related debt instruments. September 13th the company raised its quarterly dividend 19% to $0.25/share. The dividend will be paid on October 14, 2010, to stockholders of record on September 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.43%.

LaSalle Hotel Properties (LHO) is a hotel real estate investment that acquires and develops hotel properties, particularly upscale and luxury full-service hotels in major urban markets. September 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable on October 15, 2010 to common shareholders of record on September 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.91%.

PACCAR (PCAR) is a heavy-duty truck manufacturer produces the well-known Peterbilt and Kenworth brand heavy-duty highway trucks. September 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable December 6, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.06%.

Yum! Brands (YUM) operates, franchises, has interests in or licenses the largest number of fast food restaurants in the world, with more than 37,000 units in over 110 countries, including the KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell chains. September 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend 19% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 5 to shareholders of record on Oct. 15. The ex-dividend date is Oct. 13. The yield based on the new payout is 2.17%.

UDR (UDR) is a real estate investment trust, which specializes in apartment properties, owns about 46,000 apartment homes throughout the U.S. September 15th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.8% to $0.185/share. The dividend is payable on November 1, 2010 to UDR common stock shareholders of record as of October 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.47%.

Marsh & McLennan (MMC) is a global professional services concern provides risk and insurance services, investment management and consulting services through its operating companies. September 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 15 to shareholders of record on Oct. 8. The ex-dividend date is Oct. 6. The yield based on the new payout is 3.49%.

BioMed Realty Trust (BMR) is a real estate investment that acquires, develops and manages laboratory and office space for the life science industry. September 15th the company raised its quarterly dividend 13.3% to $0.17/share. The dividend is payable on October 15, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.64%.

Kroger (KR) is a supermarket operator with about 2,500 stores in 31 states and it also operates convenience stores, jewelry stores, supermarket fuel centers, and food processing plants. September 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10.5% to $0.105/share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.93%.

International Bancshares Corp. (IBOC) provides commercial and retail banking services in Texas and Oklahoma; it also facilitates international trade primarily along the U.S. border with Mexico. September 16th the company raised its quarterly dividend 11.8% to $0.19/share. The dividend is payable on October 18, 2010, to shareholders at the close on September 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.40%.

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. September 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend by 5.1% to $0.4125/share. The dividend is payable on October 15 to shareholders of record on Sept. 30. The ex-dividend date is Sept. 28. OFC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.38%.

Texas Instruments (TXN) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors, this company also produces handheld graphing and scientific calculator products. September 16th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on November 22 to shareholders of record on November 1. The ex-dividend date, then, will be on October 28. The yield based on the new payout is 2.08%.

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.

Related Posts
- The 2010 Dividend Stock Ideas List
- Seeding A Forest Of Dividend Stocks
- Dividend Stocks Are Getting Expensive
- 9 Small/Mid-Cap Dividend Stocks Answering The Call
- How To Maximize Your Dividend Stocks’ Earnings

(Photo Credit)

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)

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