Dividends Value » WGL

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)

As Financials Wither, One Titan Stands Strong *

D4L — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:30:48 +0000

Last week we mentioned that JPMorgan (JPM), the second-largest U.S. bank, slashed its dividend by 87% to $0.05. Possibly that wasn’t quite enough to keep keep big brother happy, so JPM took their quarterly dividend down to $0.01/share. The dividend is to be paid on Friday, April 3, 2009 to common stockholders of record as of Friday, March 20, 2009. JPM closed down 8.14% – it is always good to deliver bad news twice.

Wednesday, following in JPM’s footsteps, U.S. Bancorp (USB) slashed its dividend by 88% to $0.05/share. U.S. Bancorp Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Richard K. Davis said, “The decision to reduce our quarterly dividend was thoughtfully considered and very difficult, given the importance of the dividend to our shareholders.” USB closed down 12.48% after the announcement. Then dropped another 18.2% on Thursday.

While the financials continue to wither, some companies are designed to flourish in these difficult economic times. Yesterday, Wal-Mart (WMT) reported that same store sales, ex-fuel, for the month rose 5.1%, and its Board increased the quarterly dividend 15% to $0.2725/share. WMT’s dividend now yields around 2%. This is the 35th consecutive year WMT has raised its dividend. CEO Mike Duke said, “The strength of our operations and the resulting strong financial position allow us to increase our dividend payout to shareholders again this year. Our free cash flow remains strong enough to fund Wal-Mart’s growth around the world, make strategic acquisitions and fund returns to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.”

Other companies are poised to perform by raising their cash dividends to shareholders. Here are several that have recently done just that:

Qualcomm (QCOM) lifts its qtr. dividend 6% to $0.17/share (yield 1.84%)
General Dynamics (GD) boosts its qtr. dividend 8.6% to $0.38/share (yield 3.48%)
WGL Holdings (WGL) raises its quarterly dividend 3.5% to $0.3675/share (yield 4.68%)

For more companies around the world with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see Dividends Value’s Stock Ideas page.

Full Disclosure: Long WMT

(Photo: Steve Woods)