Several companies this week provided their investors a Thanksgiving bonus in the form of higher cash dividends:

Roper (ROP) makes high-tech industrial equipment and analytical instruments, primarily for oil and gas producers, semiconductor equipment makers, and industrial companies. November 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on January 29, 2010, to stockholders of record as of January 08, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 6. ROP is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 0.71%.

United Bankshares (UBSI) is a multi-bank holding company operates 114 full service offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Washington, DC. November 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.4% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on January 4 to shareholders of record on December 11. The yield based on the new payout is 6.87%.

Haynes International (HAYN) develops, manufactures and markets technologically advanced, high-performance alloys used in aerospace, chemical processing and land-based gas turbine industries. November 23rd the company declared its first quarterly dividend. of $0.20/share. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 3.13%.

Hormel Foods (HRL) is a leading processor of branded, convenience meat products
(primarily pork) for the consumer market. November 24th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.21/share. The dividend will be paid February 15, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 2010. HRL is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 43 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.20%.

Becton, Dickinson (BDX) provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products
used in hospitals, doctors’ offices, research labs and other settings. November 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.1% to $0.37/share. The dividend will be payable on January 4, 2010 to holders of record on December 14, 2009. BDX is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.96%.

York Water (YORW) impounds, purifies and distributes water in York County and Adams County, Pennsylvania. November 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.128/share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2010 to shareholders as of record date December 31, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 3.53%.

RGC Resources (RGCO) distributes and sells natural gas in Virginia to residential, commercial and industrial users through underground mains and service lines. November 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.33/share. The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 13, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 4.77%.

Oritani Financial (ORIT) owns Oritani Savings Bank, which operates 19 offices in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. November 24th the company boosted its quarterly dividend to $0.075/share. The dividend will be payable to stockholders of record as of December 7, 2009 and will be paid on December 21, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 17, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 2.33%.

McCormick (MKC) produces spices, seasonings and flavorings for the retail food, food service and industrial markets. November 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.26/share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2010 to shareholders of record December 31, 2009. MKC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.86%.

Stocks that work the hardest for you are those that consistently grow their dividends. For a list of 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)

Here are several stocks that are trying to stay in good favor with their shareholders by raising their cash dividends:

• RLI Corp. (RLI) Boosts Qtr. Dividend by 4% to $0.26/Share (1.87%)
• Lancaster Colony (LANC) Increases Qtr. Dividend by 1.7% to $0.285/Share (3.96%)
• SkyWest (SKYW) Raises Dividend Qtr. Dividend by 33% to $0.04/Share (1.24%)
• DHT Maritime (DHT) Raises Qtr. Dividend by % 20 to $0.30/Share (25.21%)
• Roper Industries (ROP) Boosts Qtr. Dividend 13.8% to $0.0825/Share (0.86%)
• Sysco (SYY) Raises Qtr. Dividend by 9% to $0.24/Share (3.91%)
• NSTAR (NST) Increases Qtr. Dividend by 7% to $0.35/Share (4.29%)
• The Laclede Group (LG) Increases Qtr. Dividend by 2.7% to $0.385/Share (3.08%)

After running these companies through my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, RLI with a NPV of MMA Differential of $3,404 and 33 consecutive year record of raising dividends certainly qualifies for a more complete evaluation. DHT has only paid a dividend since 2006. NST had positive NPV of MMA Differentials, but below the level that would warrant a more detailed evaluation. SYY was reviewed on Wednesday.

Disclosure: Long SYY.

(Photo: Steve Woods)