Dividends Value » TMK

16 Confident and Secure Companies Boosting Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:30:19 +0000

Are you confident and secure in your investing process? It appears many people are not, including the famed Canadian dividend investor Derek Foster who sold all his investments and friends/family who jump in and out of the market. I believe that most investors will lose money in the stock market over their lifetime. It is not that the market is a bad place to invest your money, but left unchecked the psychology of the market will lead you to do just the opposite of what you should to be doing. We must follow a process we are 100% confident in. Doubt is the gateway to destructive behavior. For me, dividend growth investing is what I am confident and secure in.

Below are several companies confident and secure enough in their business to increase their cash dividends:

EXCO Resources (XCO) is an independent oil and natural gas company that acquires, develops, and exploits onshore properties located in the continental U.S. August 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.04/share. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2010 to holders of record on August 31, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.05%.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (RBA) in an auctioneer of industrial equipment sells, through unreserved public auctions, a range of industrial equipments, trucks, and other assets used in the agricultural industries. August 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.105/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.31%.

Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. (BGH) owns a small general partnership interest and incentive distribution rights in Buckeye Partners L.P. August 6th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 4.7% to $0.45/unit. The distribution is payable on August 31, 2010 to unitholders of record on August 16, 2010. The ex-distribution date is August 12, 2010. Yield on the distribution is 4.1%. The yield based on the new payout is 4.17%.

Carlisle Co. (CSL) is a diversified manufacturer of rubber roofing and insulation, small tires and wheels, heavy duty braking systems, foodservice plastics, and specialty wire. August 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.3% to $0.17/share. The dividend is payable on September 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 15, 2010. CSL is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.15%.

Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is a diversified manufacturer operates a portfolio of about 840 industrial and consumer businesses throughout the world. August 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.34/share. The dividend will be paid on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 to stockholders of record on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 28, 2010. ITW is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 47 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.01%.

Chemed Corp. (CHE) provides hospice services for patients with severe, life-limiting illnesses; and also provides plumbing and drain cleaning services. August 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on September 7, 2010, to shareholders of record as of August 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.05%.

CMS Energy (CMS) principal subsidiary is Consumers Energy, the largest utility in Michigan and the sixth largest gas and 13th largest electric utility in the U.S. August 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 40% to $0.21/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.97%.

Harleysville Group (HGIC) underwrites a broad array of personal and commercial coverages. These insurance coverages are marketed primarily in the Eastern and Midwestern United States. August 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.36/share. The dividend is payable September 30, 2010, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 13, 2010. HGIC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.55%.

Aflac (AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance in the U.S. and Japan. Products are marketed at worksites and help fill gaps in primary insurance coverage. Approximately 75% of revenues comes from Japan and 25% from the U.S. August 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.1% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2010. AFL is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.42%.

Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) is a leading international supplier of products for the consumer lawn and garden and professional turf and horticulture markets. August 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend by 100% to $0.25/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.11%.

Questar Corp. (STR) is engaged in gas transportation and storage, and retail gas distribution primarily in Utah. August 10th
the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable September 13, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 20, 2010, is a $0.01 increase from the previous quarter. The ex-dividend date is August 18, 2010. STR is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 31 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.31%.

CAE (CAE) provides simulation and modeling technologies and integrated training services and products to the civil aviation industry and defense forces around the globe. August 11th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33.3% to $0.04/share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.69%.

Connecticut Water Service (CTWS) is a provider of regulated water utility services to customers in Connecticut also conducts unregulated operations. August 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.2% to $0.2325/share. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2010, for shareholders of record as of September 1, 2010, and an ex-dividend date of August 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.36%.

Textainer (TGH) engage in the purchase, management, leasing, and resale of a fleet of marine cargo containers worldwide. August 12th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.2% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on September 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.63%.

Parker Hannifin (PH) is a global maker of industrial pumps, valves, pneumatics, and hydraulics. Its products are used in everything from jet engines to trucks and autos and utility turbines. August 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable September 3, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 19, 2010. PH is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.72%.

Torchmark (TMK) derives most of its earnings from its life and health insurance operations. August 12th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable November 1, 2010, to shareholders of record as of October 2, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.25%.

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 HGIC. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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10 Stocks Taking Their Dividends Up A Notch *

D4L — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:30:55 +0000

Throughout history there have always been great companies that stand head-and-shoulders above their peers and the competition. They are loved by their shareholders, hated by the competition and known by all. Just as all great companies have have something in common, great dividend companies also have something in common.

All great dividend companies have at least one characteristic in common – they consistently raise their dividends each year. Below are several companies stepping up with higher cash dividends:

SouthWest Water (SWWC) provides a range of services, including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; and utility billing and collection. October 23rd the company doubled its dividend to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on November 20, 2009, to stockholders of record on November 4, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 3.51%.

Torchmark (TMK) a financial services company that derives most of its earnings from life and health insurance operations. October 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.40%.

Inergy (NRGY) markets, sells and distributes propane to retail and wholesale customers. October 26th the company increased its quarterly cash distribution to $0.675/unit. The distribution will be paid on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record as of November 6, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 4, 2009. This represents the 32nd consecutive quarterly increase. The yield based on the new payout is 8.81%.

Bank of Marin Bancorp (BMRC) offers banking products and services via eight branches in Marin County, three in Sonoma County & a loan production office in San Francisco. October 26th the company raised its quarterly cash dividend of $0.15/share. The cash dividend is payable on November 13, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.79%.

Inergy Holdings, L.P. (NRGP) assets include incentive distribution rights in Inergy, LP, which operates a retail and wholesale propane supply, marketing and distribution business. October 26th the company boosted its distribution 9% to $0.85/unit. The distribution will be paid on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record as of November 6, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 7.00%.

American Financial Group (AFG) provides specialty and multi-line property and casualty insurance, and sells tax-deferred annuities. October 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.1375/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.08%.

Questar (STR) is engaged in gas and oil exploration, energy marketing, gas gathering, transportation and storage, and retail gas distribution. October 27th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable Dec. 14, 2009, to shareholders of record on Nov. 20, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.30%.

Brandywine Realty (BDN) is a real estate investment trust owns, manages or has ownership interests in office and industrial properties aggregating some 38 million square feet. October 28th the company bumped its quarterly $0.15/share. The yield based on the new payout is 6.10%.

Strayer Education (STRA) offers academic programs via traditional classroom and online courses. October 29th the company boosted its annual dividend 67% to $3.00. The yield based on the new payout is 1.43%.

APCapital (ACAP) provides medical professional liability insurance in the U.S. October 29th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2009 to shareholders of record on December 11, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.22%.

It is impossible to say with perfect assurance what company will become the next great dividend stock. However, I can say with a high degree of confidence that the next great one raised its dividend this year. 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.