Working to to increase their shareholders yield on cost, these companies recently announced higher cash dividend payments:

El Paso Pipeline Partners (EPB) owns and operates natural gas transportation pipelines and storage
assets. January 22nd the company increased its quarterly distribution of 2.9% to $0.36/unit. The distribution will be paid February 12, 2010 on all outstanding common and subordinated units to holders of record as of the close of business on February 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.76%.

Intel (INTC) is the world’s largest manufacturer of microprocessors, the central processing units of PCs, and also produces other semiconductor products. January 22nd the company raised its quarterly 12.5% to $0.1575/share. The dividend will be payable on March 1, 2010 to stockholders of record on Feb. 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.15%.

Rollins (ROL) provides pest and termite control services to residential and commercial customers. January 26th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 28.6% to $0.09/share. The dividend will be payable March 10, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business February 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.80%.

National Instruments (NATI) is a provider of software and hardware technology solutions for creating custom measurement and automation systems that are typically used for design, control, and test applications. January 26th the company approved an 8% sequential increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.13/share. This dividend is payable on March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.70%.

Sunoco Logistics Partners (SXL) is a master limited partnership (MLP) formed by Sunoco Inc. to acquire, own and operate a group of refined product and crude oil pipelines and terminal facilities. January 26th the company raised its distribution 2.3% to $1.09/unit. The distribution is payable February 12, 2010 to unit holders of record on February 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.16%.

Praxair (PX) is the largest producer of industrial gases in North and South America, and the second largest worldwide and it provides ceramic and metallic coatings. January 27th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.45/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. PX is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 17 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.37%.

Holly Energy Partners (HEP) is a master limited partnership was formed by Holly Corp. to acquire, own and operate refined product pipeline and terminal facilities. January 27th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.805/unit. HEP has increased its distribution to unitholders every quarter since becoming a public partnership in July 2004 or 21 consecutive quarterly increases. The distribution will be paid February 12, 2010, to unitholders of record February 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 7.77%.

Energen (EGN) is a diversified energy company is involved in natural gas distribution, and oil and gas exploration and production. January 27th company raised its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 11, 2010. EGN is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.14%.

SJW (SJW) provides water service to a population of approximately one million people in the metropolitan San Jose (California) area. January 28th the company boosted its quarterly dividend to $0.17/share. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2010. SJW is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.07%.

Airgas (ARG) is a leading distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and related equipment also distributes safety and other disposable supplies through its network of stores. January 28 the company increased it quarterly dividend to $0.22/share. The dividend is payable March 31, 2010 to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.88%.

A healthly yield on cost is one that is growing via regular dividend increases. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

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

(Photo Credit)

I have been using my new evaluation model now for about a month now. So far, I have been quite pleased with the results. It is helping me to efficiently review a lot of dividend stocks and identify those with strong financials, that are likely to continue increasing their dividends and that are fairly priced.  As I was developing and testing the new model I noticed it had a distinct dislike of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and utilities.

This got me to looking at these classes of stocks and asking the fundamental question, ‘Are they really quality dividend investments?’ Sure both are known to have above average yields, but as any knowledgeable dividend investor will tell you, current yield is just one small part of what makes up a great dividend stock.

I currently own three utilities and three REITs.  In addition to those, I follow three other utilities and three other REITs. Let’s take a look at some of them and determine if they are good dividend investments:

REITs
Health Care Property Investors Inc. (HCP) – 0 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 52%
Free Cash Flow Payout: 131%

Realty Income Corp (O) – 0 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 47%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -65%

Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) – 2 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 51%
Free Cash Flow Payout: 101%

Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM) – 2 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 55%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -1753%

National Retail Properties, Inc. (NNN) – 4 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 39%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -144%

Utilities
SJW Corp. (SJW) – 0 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 49%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -94%

Progress Energy, Inc. (PGN) – 1 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 56%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -36%

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) – 1 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 54%
Free Cash Flow Payout: 1045%

Black Hills Corp. (BKH) – 2 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 48%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -105%

Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (TEG) – 3 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 18%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -47%

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) – 3 Stars
Debt to Total Capital: 52%
Free Cash Flow Payout: -40%

For a company to consistently raise its dividends, it must generate strong free cash flows sufficient enough to meet other obligations, such as debt, before paying a dividend. I look for a maximum of 45% Debt to Total Capital and a maximum of 60% Free Cash Flow Payout with the last 10 years positive.

With the exception of NNN and TEG, each of the above companies failed the Debt to Total Capital and Free Cash Flow Payout tests.  NNN and TEG passed the Debt to Total Capital test while failing the Free Cash Flow Payout test. All the above companies had multiple years of negative FCF over the last 10 years thus their dividends are supported via non-operating cash such as debt issuances and property sales. Ironically, NNN was the only 4 Star stock and it just recently froze its dividend.

Most REITs and utilities may provide your income portfolio with an additional boost in yield, but may end up costing you more in the long run. I will continue to look at REITs and utilities, but they must measure up like any other stock.

Full Disclosure: Long HCP, O, NNN, PGN, TEG, ED. See a list of all my income holdings here.