Below are several companies that recently avoided the cash trap by increasing dividends paid to their shareholders:

Village Super Market (VLGEA) operates a chain of 23 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. March 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on April 22, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.61%.

Williams-Sonoma (WSM) sells high-quality products for the home via its retail stores and various direct-to-customer channels. March 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.13/share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.88%.

Raven (RAVN) provides electronic precision-agriculture products, reinforced plastic sheeting, electronics manufacturing services, specialty aeronautics, and sewn products. March 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable April 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. RAVN is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.89%. [Analysis]

ConocoPhillips (COP) is the the fourth largest integrated oil company in the world. March 24th the company raised its dividend 10%. COP also announced it would sell of 10 percent of LUKOIL and other assets over the next two years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.22%.

Starbucks (SBUX) is the leading coffee roaster and retailer of high-quality coffee products in the world. March 24th the company approved its first ever quarterly cash dividend of $0.10/share. The quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share will be paid on April 23, 2010, to shareholders of record on the close of business on April 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.58%.

Clifton Savings Bancorp (CSBK) serves northeast New Jersey through its Clifton Savings Bank, S.L.A. subsidiary with assets of $801 million. March 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.06/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.50%.

Raytheon (RTN) the world’s sixth largest military contractor, specializes in making high-tech missiles and electronics. March 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.375/share. The dividend will be paid on April 29, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 6, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.62%.

Hingham Institution for Savings (HIFS) is a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank with offices located in Hingham, South Hingham, Hull, Scituate, Cohasset, SouthWeymouth, Norwell and Boston’s South End. March 25th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.5% to $0.23/share. The dividend is is payable on April 20, 2010 to stockholders of record as of April 9, 2010. Robert H. Gaughen, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, in announcing the dividend, stated, “We are proud of the fact that we have increased cash dividends to shareholders in each of the past 15 years.” The yield based on the new payout is 2.83%.

Avoiding the cash trap works best when applied on a consistent basis. 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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Below are several companies rewarding their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

Brady Corp. (BRC) is an international manufacturer and marketer of solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Products include labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Recently, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.9% to $0.17/share. The dividend will be paid on October 30, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 9, 2009. BRC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.33%.

Village Super Market (VLGEA) operates a chain of 23 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This past week, the company raised its dividend 7% to $0.23/share. The dividend is payable on October 22, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 1, 2009. The ex-dividend date is September 29th. The current yield based on the new dividend is 3.14%.

Agree Realty (ADC) is a real estate investment trust that engages in the development, acquisition, and management of retail properties leased to national and regional retail companies in the U.S. Monday, the company bumped its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.51/share. The dividend is payable October 15, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 8.59%.

Philip Morris Int’l (PM) increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.58/share. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.88%.

Kroger (KR) a supermarket operator, with about 2,500 stores in 31 states, also operates convenience stores, jewelry stores, supermarket fuel centers, and food processing plants. Thursday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 5.5% to $0.095/share. The dividend will be paid on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 16, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.83%.

W. P. Carey (WPC) owns and manages a diversified portfolio of net leased corporate real estate. Yesterday, the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.50/share. This is the company’s 34th consecutive distribution increase. The current yield based on the new dividend is 7.01%.

Corporate Office Properties (OFC) owns, manages, leases, acquires and develops suburban office properties located in Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. and other select markets. Thursday the company bumped its quarterly dividend 5.4% to $0.3925/share. The dividend will be paid on October 15, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2009. OFC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.10%.

Texas Instruments (TXN) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors, and also produces hand-held graphing and scientific calculator products. The company yesterday increased its quarterly dividend 9% $0.12/share. The dividend will be payable November 16, 2009, to stockholders of record on October 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.03%.

NYMAGIC, INC. (NYM) specializes in ocean marine, inland marine and non-marine liability insurance. Thursday, the company increased its dividend to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on October 6, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.44%.

This year many companies have increased their dividends and there will be more to do so before the year end. For stocks with a long string of consecutive 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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Below are five companies that have recently increased their cash dividends to shareholders:

Village Super Market (VLGEA) operates a chain of 23 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company’s Board increased its quarterly cash dividend 7.5% to $0.215/share. The dividend is payable on July 23, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 2, 2009. VLGEA has increased its dividend six consecutive years since began paying dividends in 2003. At the new rate, the stock is  yielding 2.9%.

Casey’s General Store (CASY) has over 1,450 convenience stores (including franchises) in nine
midwestern states, selling food, beverage, health and automotive products. At its June meeting, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend 13.3% to $0.085/share. The dividend is payable August 17th, to shareholders of record on August 3rd. This marks the fourth consecutive year CASY has increased its dividend. At the new rate, the stock is  yielding 1.3%.

Medtronic (MDT) is a global medical device manufacturer has leadership positions in the pacemaker, defibrillator, orthopedic, diabetes management and other medical markets. Recently the company increased its dividend by 9% to $0.205/share. In addition, the Board authorized MDT to purchase an additional 60 million shares (5.4%) of its common stock. At the new rate, the stock is  yielding 2.5%. The company is a Dividend Achiever.

John Wiley & Sons (JW.A) is a global publisher of print and electronic products, providing content and solutions to customers worldwide. The Board recently raised its quarterly cash dividend 8% to $0.14/share. It is payable on July 14, 2009 to shareholders of record on July 6, 2009. This is the 16th consecutive dividend increase.  At the new rate, the stock is  yielding 1.7%. JW.A is a Dividend Achiever.

Annaly Capital (NLY) is a mortgage real estate investment trust that owns and manages a portfolio of agency mortgage-backed securities and operates a fixed income asset management business. On June 18th, its Board increased its quarterly cash dividend 20% to $0.60/share. The dividend is payable July 29, 2009 to common shareholders of record on June 29, 2009.  NLY had previously dropped its dividend in December 2008 to $0.50/share from $0.55/share. At the new rate, the stock is  yielding 16.0%.

Though it may seem that most companies are cutting their dividends, many continue to show strength and increase their dividends.  For stocks with a long string of consecutive 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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