Dividends Value » WLK

9 Stocks Raising The Dividend Growth Bar *

D4L — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:30:52 +0000

Have you ever noticed those that most vehemently attack a buy-and-hold strategy really don’t understand how the strategy works? They confuse a buy-and-hold strategy with day-trading with a longer duration. A true implementation of buy-and-hold includes a focus on blue-chip stocks with a sustainable advantage, along with a reasonable asset allocation framework. One sign of a blue-chip stock is a long string of dividend increases.

Below are several companies that have recently raised the bar by increasing their cash dividends:

Lorillard (LO) is the third largest U.S. tobacco company and the leading manufacturer and marketer of menthol cigarettes. August 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $1.125/share. The dividend is payable on September 10, 2010 to stockholders of record as of September 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.97%.

Northrim BanCorp (NRIM) is one of the largest commercial banks in Alaska, with operations primarily in Anchorage and Fairbanks. August 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable September 17, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business September 9, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.93%.

Badger Meter (BMI) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating liquid flow measurement and control technologies developed both internally and with other technology companies. August 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend $16.6% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 15 to shareholders of record on Aug. 31. The ex-dividend date is Aug. 27. BMI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.50%.

MGE Energy (MGEE) generates and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas in Wisconsin. August 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.3751/share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 15 to shareholders of record on Sept. 1. The ex-dividend date is Aug. 30. MGEE is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 35 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.14%.

G&K Services (GKSR) provides branded identity apparel and facility services programs. August 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 27% to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 1. The yield based on the new payout is 1.93%.

Westlake Chemical (WLK) is an integrated manufacturer of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated vinyl products. August 23rd the company raised its quarterly 10% dividend to $0.0635/share. The dividend is payable on September 16, 2010, to stockholders of record on September 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is August 30. The yield based on the new payout is 1.02%.

Todd Shipyards (TOD) repairs, overhauls, converts, and constructs commercial and military ships in the Pacific Northwest. August 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.10/share. This dividend is payable December 23, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.99%.

Bob Evans Farms (BOBE) owns and operates 571 Bob Evans Restaurants & 132 Mimi’s Cafes. It also produces and distributes pork sausage, complementary home-style convenience food items. August 25th the company raised its quarterly dividend 11.1% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on September 21 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.14%.

Ship Finance (SFL) owns an international fleet of crude oil tankers, which are leased under long-term, fixed-price charters. August 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.35/share. The yield based on the new payout is 7.87%.

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

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10 Stocks Raising Their Dividends *

D4L — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:30:38 +0000

Are you confident and secure in your investing process? It appears many people were not. From the famed Canadian dividend investor Derek Foster who sold all his dividend investments in February to co-workers who have moved to the sidelines waiting on the bottom. Many investors who lost confidence and exited the market missed the significant rally over the last couple of months.

Below are several companies showing confidence in the future by rewarding their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

G&K Services (GKSR) rents uniforms, and offers uniforms and other related products for sale. This past week, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 7% to $0.075/share. The dividend is payable on September 24, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 17, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.31%.

HCC Insurance (HCC) is a multi-line insurer specializes in aviation, marine, medical stop-loss, offshore energy and property and casualty insurance in the U.S. and the U.K. Recently, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.135/ahare. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record on October 1, 2009, and will be paid on or about October 14, 2009. HCC is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 2.06%.

Delta Natural Gas (DGAS) distributes or transports natural gas to some 38,000 retail customers in central and southeastern Kentucky; and transports natural gas to industrial customers. Last Friday, the company boosted its quarterly dividend 1.6% to $0.325/share. The dividend will be paid September 15, 2009 to all common shareholders of record as of August 31, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 5.18%.

MGE Energy (MGEE) is the holding company is Madison Gas & Electric, which generates and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas in Wisconsin. This past week, the company raised its quarter dividend to $0.3684/share. The dividend is payable Sept. 15, 2009, to shareholders of record Sept. 1, 2009. MGEE is a Dividend Achiever and Dividend Champion, and has increased its dividend for 33 consecutive years. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.01%.

Westlake Chemical (WLK) is an integrated manufacturer of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated vinyl products. Monday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.0575/share. The dividend is payable September 17, 2009, to stockholders of record on September 2, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 0.93%.

Alliance Financial (ALNC) provides financial and banking products and services via 29 customer service facilities and a trust administration center in New York. Tuesday, the company boosted its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable October 2, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 17, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 4.01%.

Guess? (GES) offers one of the world’s leading lifestyle collections of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Wednesday, the company raised its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.125/share. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.56%.

ESSA Bancorp (ESSA) is a holding company of ESSA Bank & Trust, a full-service, community-oriented savings association. Wednesday, the company jumped its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.48%.

Altria (MO) Yesterday, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.4% to $0.34/share. The quarterly dividend is payable on October 9, 2009 to stockholders of record as of September 15, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 7.44%.

Lawson Products (LAWS) primarily distributes replacement fasteners and other parts. Thursday doubled its quaterly dividend to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable October 13, 2009 to stockholders of record September 29, 2009. The current yield based on the new dividend is 1.26%.

Increasing dividends are a positive sign that companies have confidence in the future. For 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.