Dividends Value » THG

10 Dividend Stocks Raising Their Payouts And Yields *

D4L — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 07:30:18 +0000

When you purchase individual stocks, risk is inherit. Sometimes bad things happen to good stocks. Eventually, every investor will hold a stock that falls out of favor and endures a double-digit decline. Understanding this from the onset makes it easier to deal with. To minimize the risk of significant declines, your core portfolio should focus on blue-chip dividend growth stocks.

Listed below are select companies that have recently elected to raise their payout and yield by increasing their cash dividends to shareholders:

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 8,970 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. March 3nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 21 percent increase to $0.3650/share. The dividend is payable on April 4, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL) engages in the delivery and sale of natural gas, and provides energy-related products and services in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. March 3nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.3875/share. This annual increase is the 35th consecutive year that WGL Holdings, Inc. has increased the cash dividend on its common stock. The new quarterly dividend is payable May 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on April 8, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.

General Dynamics (GD) is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. March 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.47/share. The dividend is payable May 6, 2011, to shareholders of record on April 8. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Fred’s, Inc. (FRED) operates 676 discount general merchandise stores, including 24 franchised Fred’s stores, in the southeastern United States. March 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. March 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.9% to $0.34/share. The dividend is payable March 25, 2011 to stockholders of record on March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.7%.

National Interstate Corporation (NATL) is the holding company for a specialty property-casualty insurance group which differentiates itself by offering products and services designed to meet the unique needs of niche markets. March 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable on March 18, 2011 to shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on March 9, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (THG) offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents. March 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.275/share. The dividend is payable March 29, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.

UniSource Energy Corporation (UNS), through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric utility in Arizona. February 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.42/share. The dividend is payable on March 23, 2011 to common shareholders of record as of March 11, 2011. In 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (CBL) is one of the largest and most active owners and developers of malls and shopping centers in the United States. February 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of March 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.7%.

Weingarten Realty (WRI) is a commercial real estate owner, manager and developer. February 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.8% to $0.275/share. The dividend is payable in cash on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.3%.

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 GD, WMT. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

11 Dividend Stocks Providing Positive Feedback *

D4L — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:30:15 +0000

What is the primary reason you invest in dividend stocks? For me, it is a means to build a growing income that can be relied on during retirement. One of the beauties of dividend investing is it provides you continuous feedback. As the years and decades go by you can see your earnings steadily grow as you invest your money in dividend stocks, and as an added bonus, great dividend stocks will increase their dividend payments each year.

This week several companies provided their shareholders positive feedback with increased cash dividends:

Southwest Gas Corp. (SWX) is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. February 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable June 1, 2010, to shareholders of record as of May 17, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.38%.

PPL Corp. (PPL) is a holding company for PPL Utilities also has holdings in the U.K. February 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.35/share. The dividend is payable on April 1 to shareholders of record on March 10. The ex-dividend date is March 8. PPL is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.83%.

Piedmont Natural Gas (PNY) distributes natural gas to 1,016,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. February 26th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.7% to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable April 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 23. PNY is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 32 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.25%.

The Andersons (ANDE) operates in the agriculture and transportation markets in the U.S. February 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable April 22, 2010, to shareholders of record on April 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.08%.

Hanover Insurance (THG) offers insurance and financial products and services in the areas of risk management and asset management. February 26th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable March 22, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.34%.

Fred’s (FRED) operates about 650 company-owned general merchandise stores and markets goods and services to 24 franchised Fred’s stores in the southeastern U.S. February 26th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.04/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.50%.

Qualcomm (QCOM) focuses on developing products and services based on its advanced wireless broadband technology. March 1st the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.19/share and announced that it will buyback up to $3 billion in common stock. The yield based on the new payout is 1.95%.

General Dynamics (GD) is the world’s sixth largest military contractor and also one of the world’s biggest makers of corporate jets. March 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 10.58% to $0.42/share. The dividend is payable May 7, 2010, to shareholders of record on April 9. The ex-dividend date is April 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.30%.

Wal-Mart (WMT) operates a chain of discount department stores, wholesale clubs, and combination discount stores and supermarkets; and is the largest retailer in North America. March 4th the company raised its annual dividend 11% to $1.21/share. The next quarterly dividend will be paid on April 5, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 10. WMT is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.24%. [Analysis]

American Greetings (AM) is the world’s largest publicly owned greeting card company with operations in more than 70 countries. March 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend by 17% to $0.14/share. The quarterly dividend will be paid on April 5, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.71%.

WGL Holdings (WGL) provides natural gas service in theWashington, DC, metropolitan area and surrounding regions, including Maryland and Virginia. March 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.7% to $0.3775/share. The new dividend is payable May 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on April 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.52%.

Not all dividend paying companies take pride in raising their dividends each year. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

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

(Photo Credit)

15 Hot Dividend Increases *

D4L — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:30:21 +0000

Dividends from a quality, well-diversified portfolio are much more predictable than capital gains and best of all, they are passive. You don’t have to do anything, they just show up in your brokerage account each quarter. Inflation? Not to worry, the good companies routinely raise their dividends well in excess of the inflation rate.

This week as the weather turns cold the dividend increases heat up. Below are several companies heating up their yields with increased cash dividends:

PPG Industries (PPG) is a global supplier of protective and decorative coatings. October 16th the company increased its dividend 2% to $0.54/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 11 to shareholders of record Nov. 10. The ex-dividend date is November 6. PPG is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.62%.

El Paso Pipeline Partners L.P. (EPB) owns and operates natural gas transportation pipelines, storage and other midstream assets. October 19th the company raised its quarterly cash distribution 6% to $0.35/unit. The distribution will be paid November 13, 2009 on all unitholders of record as of the close of business on October 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 28. The yield based on the new payout is 6.15%

Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) engages in interstate and intrastate crude oil transportation, terminalling and storage, as well as crude oil gathering and marketing. October 19th the company boosted its quarterly distribution 2% to $0.92/unit. The distribution is payable on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 3, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 7.38%

Universal Forest Products (UFPI) engineers, manufactures, treats, distributes and installs lumber, composite, plastic and other building products. October 19th the company bumped its quarterly dividend to to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record on December 1, 2009. The ex-dividend is November 27, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.03%.

Stepan Co. (SCL) produces specialty and intermediate chemicals. October 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.1% to $0.24/share. This dividend is payable December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 26, 2009. SCL is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.49%.

Shenandoah Telecom (SHEN) is a diversified telecommunications holding company. October 20th the company raised is dividend to $0.32/share. The dividend will be payable December 1, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 10, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 6, 2009. SHEN is a Dividend Achiever. The yield based on the new payout is 1.89%.

Ecology and Environment (EEI) is an environmental consulting and testing firm. October 20th the company bumped to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on or before December 30, 2009, to shareholders of record as of December 8, 2009. The ex-dividend is December 4, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 2.66%.

Hanover Insurance Group (THG) is an insurance and financial services company. October 20th the company increased its annual dividend 67% to $0.75/share. The dividend is payable December 9, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 25, 2009. The board also authorized a change in the company’s dividend payment schedule from a single annual cash dividend to quarterly dividend payments beginning in fiscal year 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.80%.

Artesian Resources (ARTNA) distributes and sells water, including water for public and private fire protection. October 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.1873/share. The dividend is payable November 20, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 4.52%.

Visa (V) operates a retail electronic payments network. October 21st the company bumped its quarterly dividend by 19% to $0.125/share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 12. The yield based on the new payout is 0.66%.

Brown & Brown (BRO) is a diversified insurance agency, wholesale brokerage, insurance programs and service organization. October 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend by 3.3% to $0.0775/share. The dividend is payable on November 18, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 4, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 2. BRO is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.66%.

Eaton Vance (EV) is engaged in managing investment funds and providing investment management and counseling services to high-net-worth individuals and institutions. October 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable on November 13, 2009 to shareholders of record on October 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 11. EV is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 29 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.11%.

Peabody Energy (BTU) is a coal company. October 22nd the company bumped its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 27, 2009, to shareholders of record on Nov. 5, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 3. The yield based on the new payout is 0.64%.

Holly Energy (HEP) operates a system of refined product and crude oil pipelines, storage tanks and distribution terminals. October 22nd the company bumped its quarterly 1.3% to $0.795/unit. The distribution will be paid November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record November 2, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 29. The yield based on the new payout is 7.93%.

Matthews Int’l (MATW) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. October 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.07/share. The dividend payable November 16, 2009 to stockholders of record November 2, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 29. The yield based on the new payout is 0.70%.

Real dividend growth investors are not looking for a flash in the pan, but instead for stocks that can deliver consistent dividend growth. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.

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

(Photo Credit)

If It Walks Like a Duck, Quacks Like a Duck, Then It Must Be an AFLAC (AFL) Dividend Increase and Others *

D4L — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:30:00 +0000

When I first started dividend investing, I erroneously focused on current dividend yield. I was fortunate enough to accidentally buy some good dividend stocks and hold them long enough to figure out the “secret” of dividend investing. Dividend investing is about future yield, not current yield. It is not necessarily starting with a high-yield investment, but ending up with a high-yield investment. This usually occurs by buying investments with a moderate yield, a history of growing dividends and letting time do its job.

Here is a flock of companies that are building future yield for their shareholders by raising their cash dividends:

Aflac (AFL) Raises Qtr. Dividend 16.7% to $0.28/Share (2.48%)
Brown & Brown (BRO) Boosts Qtr Dividned 7.1% to $0.075/Share (1.71%)
Eaton Vance (EV) Increases Qtr. Dividend 3% to $0.155/Share (3.49%)
Microchip Technology (MCHP) Increases Dividend 9.4% to $0.30/Share (5.72%)
Airgas (ARG) Raises Qtr. Dividend 33% to $0.16/Share (2.11%)
Hanover Insurance Group (THG) Boosts Dividend by 12.5% to $0.45/Share (1.37%)
Shenandoah Telecommunications (SHEN) Increases Dividend 11% to $0.30/Share (1.42%)
Prosperity Bancshares (PRSP) Increases Qtr. Dividend by 10% to $0.1375/Share (1.79%)
Tamalpais Bancorp (TAMB) Increases Qtr. Dividend 9% to $0.06/Share (2.34%)
Arrow Financial (AROW) Increases Qtr. Dividend by 4% to $0.25/Share (4.21%)

After running these companies through my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, EV with a NPV of MMA Differential of $87,621 justifies an more complete evaluation. MCHP has a large NPV of MMA Differential, which usually begs the question can it sustain its dividend. AFL is a stock that I own and am currently accumulating. BRO ($2,027) had a positive NPV of MMA Differential, but fell short of the $3,000 I look for from a company that is a Dividend Aristocrat. None of the others achieved the necessary NPV of MMA Differential to justify a full evaluation.

Disclosure: Long AFL.

(Photo: Steve Woods)