This week a several companies answered the call and rewarded their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

CMS Energy (CMS) is the largest utility in Michigan and the sixth largest gas and 13th largest electric utility in the U.S. January 29th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share. The dividend is payable Feb. 26, 2010 to shareholders of record on Feb. 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.91%.

HCP (HCP) holds direct and joint venture investments in health care-related facilities across the U.S. February 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.465/share. The dividend will be paid on February 23, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 9, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.36%.

Source Capital (SOR) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. February 1st the company boosted its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.60/share. The dividend is payable Mar. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business Feb. 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.65%.

Hershey (HSY) is a major producer of chocolate and confectionery products. February 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to stockholders of record February 25, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.45%.

L-3 Comm (LLL) is a provider of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. February 2nd the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 25, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.84%

Unitrin (UTR) provides property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and automobile finance services. February 3rd the company boosted its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.22/share. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2010 to its shareholders of record as of February 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 10. The yield based on the new payout is 3.86%

News Corp (NWS) is a media conglomerate, with controlling interests in leading content and distribution assets across the globe, including Fox Entertainment. February 3rd the company increased its semi-annual dividend 25% to $0.075/share. The dividend is payable on April 14, 2010 with a record date for determining dividend entitlements of March 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 0.94%

Ross Stores (ROST) is an off-price retailer providing in-season branded apparel and other merchandise through over 1,000 stores in 27 states and Guam. February 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 45% o $0.16/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010 to stockholders of record as of February 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 17, 2010. ROST is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.41%.

AGL Resources (AGL) is an energy services holding company provides natural gas to about 2.3 million customers. February 4th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 2.3% to $0.44/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.00%.

PennantPark Investment (PNNT) specializes in direct and mezzanine investments in middle-market companies. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.26/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2010 to stockholders of record as of March 25, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 11.60%.

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is one of the world’s leading agribusiness companies, with major market positions in agricultural processing and merchandising. February 4the the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share. The dividend is payable March 11, 2010, to stockholders of record February 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 16. ADM is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 35 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.00%.

Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is a consumer products company markets oral, personal and household care, and pet nutrition products. February 4th the the company boosted its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.53/share. The dividend will be paid on May 14, 2010 to shareholders of record as of April 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 22. On an annual basis, the new dividend rate is $2.03 vs. $1.72 per share previously. CL is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.66%.

UPS (UPS) is the world’s largest express delivery company. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.47/share. The dividend is payable March 3, 2010, to shareholders of record on Feb. 16, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.28%.

Hasbro (HAS) is a large toy company has brands that include Monopoly, Playskool and Tonka. February 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend by 25% to $0.25/share. The dividend will be payable on May 17, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 30. The yield based on the new payout is 3.20%.

J. B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) provides truckload, intermodal, and contract carriage services. February 4th the company boosted its quarterly dividend $0.12/share. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record on February 12, 2010. The dividend will be paid on February 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.58%.

D&B (DNB) is a worldwide provider of business information and related decision support services and commercial receivables management services. February 4th the company increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.35/share. This quarterly cash dividend is payable on March 18, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.80%.

To be a true dividend champion, a stock must consistently raise its dividend over more than just a few years. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

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

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Here are several companies looking to increase their long-term returns by raising their cash dividends:

Intel (INTC) is the world’s largest manufacturer of microprocessors, the central processing units of PCs, and also produces other semiconductor products. November 16th, the company raised its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.1575/share. Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO commented “With one of the highest dividend yields in the technology industry, the dividend increase is another sign of our confidence in business prospects going forward.” The yield based on the new payout is 3.26%.

Lancaster Colony (LANC) manufactures and markets consumer products in two  segments: Specialty Foods, and Glassware and Candles. November 16th the company increased its dividend 5.3% to $0.30/share. The payable is payable December 31, 2009 to shareholders of record on December 10, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 8. LANC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 47 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.41%.

Brown-Forman (BF.A) on November 16 raised its dividend 4.3% to $0.30/share. Stockholders of record on December 7, 2009 will receive the cash dividend on January 4, 2010. This is Brown-Forman’s 64th consecutive year of quarterly dividends and the 26th consecutive year it has increased the annual dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 2.23%.

Sysco (SYY) is the largest U.S. marketer and distributor of foodservice products. November 17th the company boosted its dividend to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on January 22, 2010, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2009. LANC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 39 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.66%.

Royal Gold (RGLD) is the largest U.S.-based company engaged in the acquisition and management of precious metal royalty interests. November 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 31, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 0.68%.

PennantPark (PNNT) specializes in direct and mezzanine investments in middle-market companies. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.2% to $0.25/share.The dividend is payable on January 4, 2010 to stockholders of record as of December 24, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 22. The yield based on the new payout is 11.96%.

Harsco (HSC) is a industrial service provider and manufacturer has operations in steel
mill services and access services, as well as construction. November 19th the company boosted it quarterly dividend for the 16th consecutive year to $0.205/share. The dividend is payable February 16, 2010 to Harsco stockholders of record as of January 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 13. The dividend yield on the new payout is 2.5%. LANC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 19 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.52%.

NSTAR (NST) was created through the 1999 merger of BEC Energy and Commonwealth Energy System. November 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.40/share.The payable February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of January 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 6. The yield based on the new payout is 4.98%.

Laclede Group (LG) distributes natural gas on a retail basis in St. Louis and nearby suburban areas. November 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.395/share. The dividend will be payable on January 4, 2010, to shareholders of record on December 11, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 9, 2009. Yield on the dividend is 5%. The yield based on the new payout is 5.00%.

Bob Evans Farms (BOBE) owned and operated 571 Bob Evans Restaurants & 132 Mimi’s Cafes. November 19th the company announced a 12.5% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 15 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 4. The yield based on the new payout is 2.83%.

Nike (NKE) is the world’s leading designer and marketer of high-quality athletic
footwear, athletic apparel, and accessories. November 19th, the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on January 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 7, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.70%.

When looking for stocks with growing dividends, longevity of consecutive increases is important.  For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long INTC, SYY. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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