Dividends Value » UNP

23 Dividend Stocks Paying More Cash *

D4L — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 07:30:30 +0000

When selecting income investments, the three most important questions to answer are : 1.) Is the investment increasing its dividend each year, 2.) Is the increase likely to continue into the future and 3.) Are you being compensated for the risk you are taking? When you answer yes to all three of the questions, you just might have found an excellent income investment.

Below are several dividend stocks that recently rewarded their shareholders with increased cash dividends:

Wendy’s/Arby’s (WEN) the combined restaurant systems include more than 10,000 restaurants in 50 states and 21 countries worldwide. November 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33%to $0.015/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2010 to Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc. stockholders of record as of December 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

Sysco Corp. (SYY) is a large distributor of food and related products, primarily to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry. November 12th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.26/share. The dividend is payable on January 28, 2011, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 7, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 5, 2011. SYY is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 41 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.

Intel (INTC) is the world’s largest manufacturer of microprocessors, the central processing units of PCs, and also produces other semiconductor products. November 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.18/share. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Adams Resources & Energy (AE) is engaged in the business of marketing crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products. November 12th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.54/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.3%.

Chicago Rivet & Machine (CVR) produces and sells rivets, cold-formed fasteners, screw machine products, automatic rivet setting machines, parts and tools for such machines, and leases machines. November 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable December 20, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.6%.

Mattel (MAT) is a large toy company whose brands and products include Barbie dolls, Fisher-Price toys, American Girl dolls and books, and Hot Wheels. November 15th the company raised its annual dividend 10.7% to $0.83/share. The dividend is payable on December 16, 2010, to stockholders of record on December 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Elbit Systems (ESLT) is an international defense electronics company. November 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 22% to $0.36/share. The dividend’s record date is November 30, 2010, and the dividend will be paid on December 13, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

Comerica (CMA) is a bank holding company based in Dallas with operations in Michigan, California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida. November 16th the company raised its quarterly dividend 100% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on Dec. 15. The yield based on the new payout is 1.1%.

Montpelier Re (MRH) provides insurance and reinsurance solutions to the global market. November 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011, to all shareholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV) is primarily a major producer of paperboard packaging used in a variety of consumer markets. November 17th the company raised its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 24, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.

S.Y. Bancorp (SYBT) provides commercial banking, personal banking, investment management, and trust services in the United States. November 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable January 3, 2011, to stockholders of record as of December 13, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 9, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.

Teck Resources (TCK) is engaged in mining and related activities. November 17th the company raised its semi-annual dividend 54% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable January 4, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Johnson Controls (JCI) supplies building controls and energy management systems, automotive seating, and batteries. November 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 23% to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable January 4, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%

New Jersey Resources (NJR) is an energy services holding company providing retail and wholesale energy services to customers in states from the Gulf Coast to the New England regions. November 17th the company raised its quarterly dividend 5.9% to $0.36/share. The dividend is payable January 3, 2011 to shareholders of record on December 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2010. NJR is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.

Schawk (SGK), one of the world’s largest providers of digital graphics services, designs, creates and manages images and text for reproduction to precise specifications for a variety of promotional and advertising media. November 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable on December 30, 2010, to stockholders of record as of December 13, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 9, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Neenah Paper (NP) is a leading international producer and distributor of premium fine papers and technical products used in filtration, tape, abrasives, and other specialty markets. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.11 per share. The dividend is scheduled to be paid in March 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Union Pacific (UNP) operates the largest U.S. railroad, with over 32,000 miles of rail serving the western two-thirds of the country. November 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.38/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 3 to shareholders of record on Nov. 30. The ex-dividend date is Nov. 26. The yield based on the new payout is 1.66%.

Brown-Forman (BF-A) manufactures, bottles, imports, exports and markets a variety of alcoholic beverage brands. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable December 27, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2%.

Campbell Soup (CPB) is a major producer of branded soups and other grocery food products. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.29/share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 27, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

NSTAR (NST) serves some 1.4 million electric and natural gas customers in Massachusetts, has agreed to be acquired by Northeast Utilities. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.3% to $0.425/share. The dividend is payable February 1, 2011 to shareholders of record as of January 7, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 5, 2010. NST is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.

Ruddick (RDK) derives the bulk of its sales from its Harris Teeter supermarket chain, which operates in eight southeastern states. It also manufactures thread and yarn. November 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on January 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 10, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.

Nike (NKE) is the world’s leading designer and marketer of high-quality athletic footwear, athletic apparel, and accessories. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.9% to $0.31/share.The dividend is payable on Dec. 30 to shareholders of record on Dec. 6. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 2. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Laclede Group (LG) primarily distributes natural gas on a retail basis in St. Louis and nearby suburban areas. November 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.5% to $0.405/share. The dividend is payable on January 4, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.

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 SYY, INTC. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

14 Stocks Building Wealth Through Higher Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 07 May 2010 05:01:01 +0000

Some traditionalist would say your home is your greatest wealth building asset. I would argue it is not. Others would say your income is your greatest wealth building asset. Though there is a lot of truth to the statement, it is still not your greatest wealth building asset. So, what is your greatest wealth building asset? Everyone is born with it. Few realize its importance until they lose most of it. The asset is so priceless it can’t be bought. Your most valuable wealth building asset is time.

With time, you can wait for blue-chip stocks to build a high yield-on-cost by growing their dividends. Below are several companies building shareholder wealth by recently increasing their cash dividends:

Franklin Electric (FELE) designs, manufactures, and distributes groundwater and fuel pumping systems. April 30th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on May 13 to shareholders of record on May 27. The ex-dividend date is May 26. FELE is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.54%.

Fifth Street Finance (FSC) is a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies. May 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable June 30, 2010, to shareholders of record as of May 20, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 18, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 10.05%.

Textainer Group (TGH) is engaged in the purchase, management, leasing, and resale of a fleet of marine cargo containers worldwide. May 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.3% to $0.24/share. The dividend is payable on May 26, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of May 17, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.01%.

TECO Energy (TE) serves the Tampa Bay region in west central Florida and has significant diversified operations related to its core business. May 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.205/share. The dividend is payable May 28 to shareholders of record as of May 14, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.18%.

Cardinal Health (CAH) is one of the leading wholesale distributors of pharmaceuticals, medical/surgical supplies, and related products to a broad range of health care customers. May 5th the company raised its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.195/share. The dividend is payable on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 1. The ex-dividend date is June 29. CAH is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.26%.

Talisman Energy (TLM) explores, develops, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, mainly in North America, the North Sea and Southeast Asia. May 5th the company increases its semi-annual dividend 11% to C$0.125/share. The dividend will be paid on June 30, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Microchip (MCHP) supplies microcontrollers and analog and other semiconductor products for a wide variety of high-volume embedded control applications. May 5th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.342/share. The dividend is payable on June 2, 2010, to stockholders of record on May 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.90%.

Cognex Corp. (CGNX) is a provider of machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information used to automate tasks where vision is required. May 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06/share. The dividend announced today is payable on June 18, 2010, to all shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.90%.

Cablevision (CVC) is the fifth largest cable multiple system operator (MSO) in the U.S. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.125/share. Cablevision President and CEO James L. Dolan commented: “Given our strong performance, we have increased our dividend by 25 percent, enabling us to provide even more value to our shareholders.” The yield based on the new payout is 2.01%.

Biovail Corp. (BVF) is engaged in the formulation, clinical testing, registration and manufacture of drug products using advanced drug delivery technologies. May 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on July 5, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business June 2, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 31, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.39%.

Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) operates the largest U.S. railroad, with over 32,000 miles of rail serving the western two-thirds of the country. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 22% to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable July 1, 2010, to stockholders of record on May 28, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.83%.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S., OXY has global operations in exploration and production. Its subsidiary OxyChem is the largest U.S. merchant marketer of chlorine and caustic soda. May 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.38/share. The dividend is payable on July 15, 2010, to stockholders of record as of June 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.89%.

RLI Corp. (RLI) provides selected property, casualty and surety insurance. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.29/share. The dividend is payable on July 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2010. RLI is a Dividend Achiever and has paid a higher dividend for 35 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.06%.

Public Storage (PSA) invests primarily in self-service storage facilities (mini-warehouses), but also in commercial and industrial properties. May 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.80/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.06%.

To maximize long-term wealth we must find companies that will grow their dividends well into the future. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

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

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Warren Buffett’s Dividend Stocks *

D4L — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:30:13 +0000

Some of my fellow dividend investors have accused Warren Buffett of being a closet dividend investor. I won’t quite go that far, but there is significant common ground between dividend and value investors. With that said, let’s take a close look at Mr. Buffett’s most recent 13-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Comparing Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A) December 31, 2008 13-F with its March 31, 2009 13-F, I made the following observations for Q1/2009:

BRK didn’t add any new positions to its portfolio
BRK didn’t fully liquidate any positions in its portfolio
BRK added shares in seven stocks: BNSF Railway (BNI), Union Pacific (UNP), Wells Fargo (WFC), U.S. Bancorp (USB), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and Nalco Holding Company (NLC)
BRK reduced shares in four stocks: CarMax (KMX), ConocoPhillips (COP), Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (CEG)

Of the stocks held in BRK’s 13-F portfolio, the following ones are either held in my income portfolio or are on my watch list of dividend stocks:

Coca Cola (KO) – Yield 3.34% – Analysis
The Coca-Cola Company is the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups in the world.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – Yield 3.55% – Analysis
Johnson & Johnson is engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field.

Kraft Foods (KFT) – Yield 4.44% – Analysis
Kraft is engaged in manufacturing and marketing packaged food products, including snacks, beverages, cheese, convenient meals and various packaged grocery products.

Lowes Companies (LOW) – Yield 1.89% – Analysis
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a home improvement retailer.

M&T Bank (MTB) – Yield 5.57%
M&T Bank Corporation is a bank holding company. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had two wholly owned bank subsidiaries.

Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) – Yield 3.39% – Analysis
The Procter & Gamble Company is focused on providing branded consumer goods.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) – Yield 2.19% – Analysis
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates retail stores in various formats worldwide.

In addition, Buffett continues to hold a position in several stocks that I sold over the last twelve months for either cutting or failing to raise their dividend. Those are:

Bank of America Corporation (BAC) – Yield 0.35%
Bank of America Corporation (Bank of America) is a bank holding company and a financial holding company.

General Electric (GE) – Yield 9.20%
General Electric Company is a diversified technology, media and financial services company.

The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) – Yield 3.89%
The Home Depot, Inc.is a home improvement retailer selling an assortment of building materials, home improvement and lawn and garden products, and provide a number of services.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. (STI) – Yield 3.04%
SunTrust Banks, Inc. is a diversified financial services holding company whose businesses provide a range of financial services to consumer and corporate clients.

U.S. Bancorp (USB) – Yield 1.04%
U.S. Bancorp operates as a financial holding company and a bank holding company. U.S. Bancorp provides a range of financial services, including lending and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange, and trust and investment management services.

It is not surprising that the most famous value investor holds several dividend stocks. Historically, stocks that pay dividends have out-performed those that don’t. When you buy dividend stocks at a discount, it’s like turbo-charging your return!

Full Disclosure: Long in JNJ, KO, MTB, PG, WMT . See a list of all my income holdings here.