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.

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(Photo Credit)

Below are several companies building future returns with higher cash dividends:

BCE (BCE) is a Canadian wireline and wireless telecommunications company. December 10th the company raised its annual dividend 7.7% to $1.97/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.5%.

Occidental (OXY) has global exploration and production operations. Its subsidiary, OxyChem, is one of the largest U.S. merchant marketers of chlorine and caustic soda. December 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.46/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.02%.

General Electric (GE) sells products ranging from jet engines and gas turbines to consumer appliances, railroad locomotives and medical equipment. It also owns NBC Universal, and is a leading provider of consumer and commercial financing. December 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 25 to shareholders of record on Dec. 27. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 22. The yield based on the new payout is 3.27%.

Honeywell (HON) is the world’s largest maker of cockpit controls, small jet engines and climate control equipment and also makes industrial materials and automotive products. December 10th the company increased its annual dividend 10% to $1.33/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.55%.

Horace Mann (HMN) is an insurance holding company that markets and underwrites personal lines of property and casualty insurance, retirement annuities and life insurance. December 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 37% to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 31 to shareholders on record as of Dec. 20. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 16. The yield based on the new payout is 2.48%.

Iron Mountain (IRM) provides information protection and storage services. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 200% to $0.1875/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 27, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.

Dynex Capital (DX) invests principally in single-family residential and commercial mortgage loans and securities. December 13th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2011 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 9.5%.

Pfizer (PFE) is the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. It produces a wide range of drugs across a broad therapeutic spectrum. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11.1% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 4, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 2, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.68%.

CSC (CSC) is a computer services company provides consulting, systems integration and outsourcing services. December 13th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on January 13, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 21, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

Colony Financial (CLNY) operates as a commercial mortgage REIT that focuses on acquiring and originating commercial real estate mortgage loans and real estate-related debt. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.1%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) engages in discovering, developing, and delivering medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. December 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable on February 1, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 7, 2011. The ex-dividend date is Jan. 5. The yield based on the new payout is 4.97%.

U-Store-It Trust (YSI) engages in the ownership, operation, acquisition, and development of self-storage facilities in the United States. December 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend 180% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable on January 21, 2011 to common shareholders of record on January 7, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

NB&T Financial (NBTF) provides commercial banking and financial services to individuals and corporate customers in southwestern Ohio. December 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.5% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable January 24, 2011 to shareholders as of record December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.3%.

Realty Income (O) leases its retail properties primarily to regional and national retail chain store operators. December 15th the company increased its monthly dividend to $0.14425/share. The dividend is payable on January 18, 2011 to shareholders of record as of January 3, 2011. The ex-dividend date is December 31, 2010. O is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.

Scholastic Corp. (SCHL) publishes and distributes children’s books, as well as the develops educational technology products in the United States and internationally. December 15th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Moodys Corp (MCO) provides credit ratings and related research, data, and analytical tools; risk management software; and quantitative credit risk measures and credit portfolio management solutions. December 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.115/share. The dividend is payable March 10, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 17, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

ABM Industries (ABM) provides janitorial, parking, security, engineering, and lighting services for commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail facilities in the U.S. and Canada. December 16th the company raised its dividend 3.7% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on February 7, 2011 to stockholders of record on January 6, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 4, 2011. ABM is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years.

Ensign Group (ENSG) provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services in California, Arizona, Texas,Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho. December 16th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.055/share. December 16, 2010 7:26 AM EST The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.055 per share, $0.22 annualized. The yield based on the new payout is 1.0%.

Waste Management (WM) provides integrated waste management services in North America including collection, transfer, recycling, disposal, and waste-to-energy services. December 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.34/share. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.

Autoliv (ALV) develops, manufactures, and supplies automotive safety systems to automotive industry. December 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable on Thursday, March 3, 2011 to shareholders of record on the close of business on Thursday February 3, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2%.

Pentair (PNR) operates as a diversified industrial manufacturing company worldwide. The company’s Water segment offers products and systems that are used in the movement, storage, treatment, and enjoyment of water. December 16th the company raised its annual dividend 5% to $0.80/share. PNR is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Urstadt Biddle (UBA) engages in the acquisition, ownership, and management of commercial real estate properties. December 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.245/share. The dividend is payable January 21, 2011 to stockholders of record on January 7, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 5, 2011. UBA is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.

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

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Here are several companies compounding their dividends by recently raising their cash distributions to shareholders:

Safeway (SWY) is a major food retailer that operates about 1,750 stores in the U.S. and Canada. December 11th the company increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 24, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 22. The yield based on the new payout is 1.87%.

Pfizer (PFE) is the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. It produces a wide range of drugs across a broad therapeutic spectrum. December 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable March 2, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.91%.

General Mills (GIS) is a major producer of packaged consumer food products, including Big G cereals and Betty Crocker desserts/baking mixes. December 14th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 12% $0.49/share. The dividend is payable February 1, 2010, to shareholders of record January 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.87%.

Hatteras Financial (HTS) is a REIT investing in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities. December 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $1.20/share. The dividend will be paid on January 22, 2010, to stockholders of record on December 28, 2009, with an ex-dividend date of December 23, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 15.82%.

Moody’s (MCO) is a leading global credit rating, research and risk analysis concern. December 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.105/share. The dividend is payable March 10, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.56%.

BCE (BCE) is a Canadian wireline and wireless telecommunications company. December 17th the company raised its annual dividend 7% to $1.74/share. The first quarter installment is payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.80%.

Waste Management (WM) is the largest U.S. trash hauling/disposal company. December 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.315/share. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the Company has increased its quarterly dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 3.85%.

Urstadt Biddle Properties (UBA) this REIT owns and manages commercial real estate properties primarily in the northeastern United States. December 17th the company boosted its quarterly dividend to $0.2425/share. The dividends are payable January 22, 2010 to stockholders of record on January 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.44%.

To maximize the compounding effect, a company must raise their dividends each year. 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.

(Photo Credit)

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The “%” column is the percentage decrease between the “Sell Price” and “Recent Price”.  As you can see, each of the stocks continued to fall after it was sold. That adds substantive evidence that my sell after a dividend cut rule is the correct thing to do. With that said, I have begun to question if there were other indicators that should have led me to an earlier sale. Four of the above stocks have one other thing in common – they froze their dividend before cutting it. The table below shows those stocks and the price on the dividend freeze date (declaration date), along with the three stocks I currently hold with a frozen dividend:

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The “Freeze Price” is the closing price the first trading day after the dividend freeze was announced. The “Sell Price” for the first four (those that I have already sold), is the actual price I sold it for and for the three I still hold it is a recent price. Based on the above, it appears the prudent thing to do would be to sell a stock after it freezes its dividend. Like a dividend cut, an investment with a froze dividend is no longer aligned with my dividend portfolio’s goal of building an ever-increasing source of dividend income.

Care should be taken in considering that not only have the above stocks fell over the last year or so, but virtually every other stock has fell. So what appears to be hard and fast rules in this market, will need to be evaluated under different phases of the cycle. But for now, selling after a dividend cut or a dividend freeze appears to be a prudent rule to follow. However, I do not see the dividend freeze rule as stringent as the dividend cut rule. Each situation needs to be evaluated and sometimes an immediate sale is not warranted. Considering all this, I would phrase my dividend rule as such:

When an individual stock held as a dividend investment freezes its dividend, this is a strong sell indicator. The specific facts and circumstances should be immediately evaluated and continuously monitored until the stock is either sold or it increases its dividend.

If it is decided not to sell the stock, the pressure to sell should increase as time passes.  Another strong indicator to sell would be if the dividend freeze persists long enough to incur a flat dividend year-over-year. Dividend freezes need to be monitored closely. In many instances they are the first step to a dividend cut.

Full Disclosure: Long HD, MTB, RY

In determining when to sell a dividend stock, I have one hard and fast rule: When an individual stock held as a dividend investment lowers its dividend, immediately sell it. This may seem like a stringent rule and I have taken a lot of criticism for it from both directions.

Some have said waiting until a stock drops its dividend is too late. There were rumors and innuendos that Bank of America (BAC) was going to drop their dividend some time before it was announced. As it turns out, the rumors were correct this time. However, I can’t (and won’t) base investment decisions on innuendo or rumor.

Others have said that selling a stock after it cuts its dividend is too early. Their argument is the bad news has already been priced into the stock and you are selling into weakness. I feel strongly that an immediate sell is the correct thing to do for the following reasons:

I. Cockroach Theory
When a company that has a long history of raising dividends and suddenly stops, it is usually more than a simple bump in the road. For the one cockroach you have seen (lower dividend) there are probably hundreds waiting to reveal themselves.

II. Adultery Theory
I view a dividend cut as financial infidelity by the company. After a company has raised its dividend 10, 20, 30 or more years that first dividend cut is very hard. Like someone who first has a series of affairs after 30 years of marriage, the first one is guilt ridden, but it is much easier the second time around. Eventually, the guilt goes away. Do you think Citigroup (C) would have the same difficulty cutting its dividend again? In the case of C, I sold part of my position when it became evident that their capital structure could not sustain the company going forward without a substantial cash infusion.

III Experience
My experience has been once a company cuts its dividend, the stock continues down. That has been the case with these that I sold after a dividend cut (prices as of 10/13/08):

• Washington Mutual Inc. (WM) – Sold at $18.11 on 12/11/2007, now worthless
• Wachovia Corporation (WB) – Sold at $25.89 on 4/15/2008, now $5.85
• iStar Financial Inc. (SFI) – Sold at $2.32 on 10/3/2008, now $1.46
• Bank of America Corporation (BAC) – Sold at $28.51 on 10/7/2008, now $22.79

Sure BAC will likely come back over time, but WM and WB will never come back. Even assuming BAC will come back at some point in the future, I likely would have been better to sell, wait for the 30-day wash sale window to clear and buy it back (see IV below on why this is not an option for me.)

IV Portfolio Goals
The most important reason for selling a dividend stock after it cuts its dividend is that the investment is no longer aligned with my dividend portfolio’s goal of building an ever-increasing source of dividend income. Some have argued that certain securities are good value plays after a dividend cut. This may or may not be true, but my dividend portfolio’s primary objective is dividend income, not capital gains. I have a separate portfolio for that. To date, I have not transferred any dividend stocks to my capital appreciation portfolio.

Finally, some will say that it was the “right” thing to do for the company to cut the dividend given the circumstances. In many cases I do not disagree. However, in the cases I have been involved with the company was not “given” the circumstances, they created them through their own actions. If a company was truly a victim of circumstances which couldn’t possibly be foreseen or planned for, I would gladly to cut them some slack and consider an exception to my rule. This situation rarely ever comes along.

Disclosure: No position in any of the aforementioned securities.