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25 Dividend Stocks Raising Their Yield On Cost *

D4L — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:30:15 +0000

There are income investors and Dividend Growth investors. While the distinction is rather simple, it slips past many casual observers. Income investors are investing for maximum current income, while dividend growth investors are looking to maximize income over an extended period of time — usually sacrificing current income for potential greater future earnings. Unlike fixed income investments, a growing dividend means a growing yield on cost.

This week several companies raised their shareholders yield on cost by increasing their cash dividends:

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.47/share. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.88 per share, up from $1.76 per share in 2010. The first quarterly dividend is payable April 1, 2011, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

Silgan Holdings Inc. (SLGN) is a leading manufacturer of consumer goods packaging products. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable on March 17, 2011 to the holders of record of the common stock of the Company on March 3, 2011. The Company began paying a cash dividend in 2004 and has increased its quarterly dividend every year since. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW) is a global investment management organization with $482.0 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2010. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.31 per share payable March 29, 2011 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2011. This will mark the 25th consecutive year since the firm’s initial public offering that the company will have increased its annual dividend payout. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.

Lorillard, Inc. (LO) is the the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 16% to $1.30/share. The dividend is payable on March 11, 2011 to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 6.6%.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (GPI) is a Fortune 500 automotive retailer. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.11/share. The dividend will be paid on March 15, 2011, to stockholders of record on March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.1%.

National Health Investors, Inc. (NHI) is a healthcare real estate investment trust that specializes in the financing of healthcare real estate by purchase and leaseback transactions and by mortgage loans. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.2% to $0.615/share. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on March 31, 2011 and payable on May 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.3%.

Emclaire Financial Corp. (EMCF) is an independent, nationally chartered, FDIC-insured community commercial bank headquartered in Emlenton, Pennsylvania. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 14.3% to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable on March 18, 2011, to shareholders of record on March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.

Williams’ (WMB) is a large-scale infrastructure company with a business focus on enabling producers and end-users to optimize the value of North America’s significant resource plays. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 60% to $0.20/share. The company is targeting an additional 10 percent to 15 percent increase for the quarterly dividends it will pay beginning in June 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

HNI Corporation (HNI) is the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the world and is also the nation’s leading manufacturer and marketer of gas- and wood-burning fireplaces. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.98% increase to $0.23/share on its common stock. The dividend will be payable on March 7, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

Cheviot Financial Corp. (CHEV) provides a range of banking services in Ohio. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share to stockholders of record March 15, 2011. The dividend will be paid March 31, 2011. This is the seventh consecutive year that Cheviot Financial Corp. has increased its dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 5.6%.

The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coatings, and related products in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.365 per common share, payable on March 11, 2011, to shareholders of record on February 25, 2011. The dividend is payable March 11th to shareholders of record on Feb. 25th. This increase follows 32 consecutive years of dividend increases. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 18.2% to $0.165/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2011. The new annualized dividend rate is $0.66/share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.1%.

Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) is the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; American Snuff Company, LLC; Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc.; and NiconovumAB. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.2% to $0.53/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2011. This will be the 27th consecutive quarterly dividend paid to shareholders since the company became publicly traded in 2004, and the seventh dividend increase. The yield based on the new payout is 6.3%.

Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. February 16th the company increased its annual dividend 19% to $0.45 per share. In accordance with the increase, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.1125 a share on the company’s common stock, payable on April 27, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 6, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Foot Locker, Inc. (FL) is a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 3,400 stores in 21 countries in North America, Europe and Australia. February 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.165/share. The dividend is payable on April 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.

Cooper Industries plc (CBE) is a global electrical products manufacturer with 2010 revenues of $5.1 billion. February 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.29/share. The is payable on April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.

Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) is a diversified global provider of hand tools, power tools and related accessories, mechanical access solutions and electronic security solutions, engineered fastening systems, and more. February 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.41/share. This marks the 44th consecutive annual dividend increase for the company. The dividend is payable on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. February 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2011 to Omnicom Group common shareholders of record at the close of business on March 4, 2011.The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

Compass Minerals (CMP) is a leading producer of minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash specialty fertilizer and magnesium chloride. February 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.45/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) is one of the world’s leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel. February 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable on May 2, 2011 to stockholders of record on April 1, 2011 and reflects an indicated annual dividend of $0.48 per share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Hubbell Incorporated (HUBA) is an international manufacturer of quality electrical and electronic products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction, industrial and utility applications. February 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.38/share. The dividend is payable on April 11, 2011, to shareholders of record on March 7, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.

RF Industries, Ltd., (RFIL) provides interconnect products and systems for radio frequency (RF) communications devices and wireless digital transmission systems. February 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% and declared a 2-for-1 common stock split. The stock split will be effective February 24, 2011, and will increase RFI’s outstanding common shares to approximately 5,953,018. The increase in RFI’s quarterly cash dividend to $0.02 per post-split share will be payable on April 15, 2011, to shareholders of record on March 31, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

ConocoPhillips (COP) is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. February 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.66/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 22, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.7%.

SCANA Corporation (SCG) is an energy-based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses. February 11th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.1% to $0.485/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR) is a leading global wholesale datacenter provider. February 10th the company increased its dividend 28.3% to $0.68/share. This is the 9th dividend increase since the IPO in the fourth quarter of 2004. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2011. The common stock dividend will be paid on March 31, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.

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: Long KO. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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15 Dividend Stocks Defending Shareholder Returns *

D4L — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:30:23 +0000

Dividend stocks are sometimes referred to as defensive stocks since many investors flee to them in an economic downturn. Their dividends, if sustainable, provide a minimum level of positive return. This cushions the downward pressure from the market. Better yet, great dividend companies not only sustain their dividends in a downturn – they actually raise them.

Below are several stocks displaying confidence in the future by increasing their cash dividends:

Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) is a diversified global provider of hand tools, power tools and related accessories and systems. The company is a result of the the March 2010 merger of StanleyWorks and Black & Decker. July 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.34/share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 21 to shareholders of record on Sept. 3. The ex-dividend date is September 1. SWK is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.58%.

Ryder System (R) provides truck leasing and rental, logistics and supply chain management solutions. July 16th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on September 17, 2010, to shareholders of record on August 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.60%.

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) is a REIT specializing in the ownership, acquisition, development, redevelopment, and management of technology-related properties. July 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.53/share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2010, to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2010, with an ex-dividend date of September 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.44%.

Lindsay Corp. (LNN) designs, makes and markets center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. It also produces crash cushions, specialty barriers and diameter tubing, and offers outsource manufacturing. July 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.085/share. The dividend is payable August 31, 2010, to shareholders of record on August 17, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.02%.

Western Gas Partners (WES) engages in the business of gathering, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas for its ultimate parent, Anadarko Petroleum Corp., and others. July 20th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 3% to $0.35/unit. The distribution is payable on August 13, 2010 to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010. The ex-distribution date is July 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.88%.

El Paso Pipeline Partners (EPB) owns and operates natural gas transportation pipelines and storage assets. July 20th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution 5% to $0.40/unit. The distribution will be paid August 13, 2010 on all outstanding common and subordinated units to holders of record as of the close of business on July 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is July 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.17%.

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is a North American distributor of industrial products and provides fluid power, mechanical, and rubber shop services. July 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.17/share. The dividend is a payable on August 31, 2010, to shareholders of record on August 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.55%.

AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR) designs, manufactures, and sells consumer product dispensing systems for the personal care, fragrance/cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household, and food/beverage markets. July 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable August 24, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is July 30, 2010. ATR is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.79%.

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. July 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.25/share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.54%.

Vanguard Natural Resources (VNR) acquires and develops natural gas and oil properties in the Appalachian Basin, primarily in Kentucky and Tennessee, and in Texas and New Mexico in the Permian Basin. July 21st the company raised its quarterly distribution 4.8% to $0.55/unit. The distribution will be payable on August 13, 2010 to unitholders of record on August 6, 2010. The ex-distribution date is August 4, 2010. Yield on the distribution is 9.1%. The yield based on the new payout is 8.98%.

Eaton (ETN) is a diversified industrial manufacturer of products including electrical systems and components for power management, truck transmissions and fluid power systems, and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment.
July 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend 16% to $0.58/share. The dividend is payable on August 27, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.17%.

Westfield Financial Inc. (WFD) provides various banking products and services to businesses and individuals in Massachusetts. July 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on August 18, 2010 to all shareholders of record on August 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.97%.

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) is the leading coffee roaster and retailer of high-quality coffee products in the world, which it sells through its approximately 16,700 retail stores globally, as well as increasingly through multiple retail channels. July 21st the company increases its quarterly dividend 30% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on August 20, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.07%.

Navios Maritime Partners (NMM) owns and operates drybulk carriers in Greece. July 22nd the partnership raised its quarterly distribution 1.2% to $0.42/unit. The distribution is payable on August 12, 2010 to unit holders of record as of August 9, 2010. The ex-distribution date is August 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 9.45%.

Spectra Energy Partners (SEP) transports natural gas through interstate pipeline systems, and stores natural gas in underground facilities in the United States. July 22nd the partnership increased its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.43/unit. The distribution is payable on August 13, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 3, 2010. The ex-distribution date is July 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.80%.

Full Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned stocks. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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10 Stocks With 100+ Years of Dividend Payments *

D4L — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:30:54 +0000

Over the last couple of years we have seen companies fail to raise their dividend, cut their dividend and some even decided to stop paying their dividend. In some cases their financials did not warrant the change. One way to weed these out is to look for companies with a dividend culture. Below are 10 companies that have paid a dividend for over 100 years and have increased their dividend for at least 20 years. They are presented here in descending rank of how long they have paid a dividend:

#10 Chubb Corp. (CB) One of the largest U.S. property-casualty insurers, Chubb has carved out a number of niches, including high-end personal lines and specialty liability lines coverage.
Paid since: 1902 | Consecutive increases: 45 | Yield: 2.92%

#9 PPG (PPG) is a leading manufacturer of coatings and resins, flat and fiber glass, and industrial and specialty chemicals.
Paid since: 1899 | Consecutive increases: 36 | Yield: 3.55%

#8 Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is a consumer products company, whose products are marketed throughout the world. Colgate’s Oral Care products include toothpaste, toothbrushes, oral rinses, dental floss and pharmaceutical products.
Paid since: 1895 | Consecutive increases: 45 | Yield: 2.13%

#7 The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the world’s largest soft drink company. It engages in the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates, fruit juices and syrups worldwide.
Paid since: 1893 | Consecutive increases: 47 | Yield: 3.02% | [Analysis]

#6 The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is focused on providing branded consumer goods products. The Company markets its products in more than 180 countries.
Paid since: 1891 | Consecutive increases: 53 | Yield: 2.92% | [Analysis]

#5 UGI Corp. (UGI) operates propane distribution, gas and electric utility, energy marketing and related businesses through subsidiaries.
Paid since: 1885 | Consecutive increases: 23 | Yield: 3.20%

#4 Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED), through its subsidiaries, provides electric, gas, and steam utility services in the United States serving parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Paid since: 1885 | Consecutive increases: 36 | Yield: 5.42%

#3 Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) discovers, develops, manufactures and sells prescription drugs that offers a wide range of treatments for neurological disorders, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions. The company also sells animal health products.
Paid since: 1885 | Consecutive increases: 42 | Yield: 5.52% | [Analysis]

#2 Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) is engaged in the exploration, production, and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products and petrochemicals. XOM is the world’s largest publicly owned integrated oil company.
Paid since: 1882 | Consecutive increases: 27 | Yield: 2.51%

#1 Stanley Works (SWK) is a worldwide producer of tools, hardware and specialty hardware for home improvement, consumer, industrial and professional use.
Paid since: 1877 | Consecutive increases: 42 | Yield: 2.44%

A strong dividend culture is a great place to start looking, but before buying we must also consider other factors such as: dividend fundamentals, ability to cover their dividend and fair value.

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

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Five Companies Willing and Capable To Raise Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:30:43 +0000

The main focus of dividend investing is finding and buying stocks that will continue to raise their dividends in the future. In making this determination there are many factors to consider such as dividend payout ratio, debt levels, the company’s dividend policy and track record.

This week the dividend increase parade continues with several companies sharing higher cash dividends with their shareholders:

Stanley Works (SWK) is a worldwide producer of tools, hardware and specialty hardware for home improvement, consumer, industrial, and professional use. This past week increased its quarterly dividend 3.1% to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable on September 22, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 4, 2009. SWK is a Dividend Arstocrat and has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 3.47%.

Lindsay Corporation (LNN) designs, makes and markets center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. It also produces crash cushions, specialty barriers and diameter tubing, and offers outsource manufacturing. This past week the company increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable August 31, 2009, to shareholders of record on August 17, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 0.91%.

El Paso Pipeline Partners (EPB) owns and operates natural gas transportation pipelines and storage assets. Earlier this week the company boosted its quarterly distribution by 12% to $0.33/unit. The distribution is payable August 14, 2009 to holders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2009. The current yield based on the new distribution is 7.06%.

TC PipeLines (TCLP) has interests in three interstate natural gas pipelines, including a 46.5% stake in Great Lakes Gas Transmission LP. Recently the company raised its cash distribution 3.5% to $0.73/unit. In a statement Russ Girling, chairman and CEO said, “Following the close of the acquisition of North Baja and the resetting of the incentive distribution rights, we are pleased to increase our distribution to unitholders. The addition of North Baja to our portfolio of high quality energy infrastructure assets further enhances our ability to deliver solid, sustainable cash distributions.” The current yield based on the new distribution is 7.76%.

Park Electrochemical (PKE) designs, develops, manufactures, markets and sells digital and radio frequency/microwave printed circuit materials for telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. This last week the company increased its quarterly cash dividend 25% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable November 5, 2009 to stockholders of record at the close of business on October 7, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.79%.

There are many companies that continue to consistently raise their dividends. For stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned stock. See a list of all my income holdings here.