We all are looking for the perfect dividend stock. In an utopian world, the perfect dividend stock would be one that is both high-yield and provide a high dividend growth rate. Its share price would appreciate ratable with its increasing dividend. All of this would be driven by increasing earnings and cash flow.Though they are not perfect, the stocks below did recently reward their investors with higher cash dividends:
Wynn Resorts (WYNN) is involved in the design, development, financing and construction of gaming projects in Las Vegas and Macau. November 9th the company declared a special cash dividend of $4.00/share. This dividend will be payable on December 3, 2009, to stockholders of record on November 19, 2009. The stock will begin to trade ex-dividend on November 17, 2009. The company's Board of Directors also approved the commencement of a regular cash dividend program, beginning in 2010. This regular cash dividend will be $0.20 per share of common stock for the first quarter of 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.22%.
Baxter (BAX) is a global medical products and services company. November 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.29/share. The dividend is payable on January 5, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 10, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 8. The yield based on the new payout is 2.02%.
ADP (ADP) provides a broad range of data processing services. November 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.34/share. The dividend is payable on January 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at December 11, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 9. ADP is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend for 34 years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.15%.
Tennant (TNC) designs, manufactures, and markets cleaning solutions. November 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record November 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 26. The yield based on the new payout is 1.90%.
Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) is a mining company produces iron ore pellets and supplies metallurgical coal to the steelmaking industry primarily in North America. November 10th the company boosted its quarterly dividend more than 100% to $0.0875/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 1, 2009, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 20, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 0.90%.
DeVry (DV) offers career-oriented degree programs, preparatory coursework for the CPA and CFA exams, and medical, veterinary, and nursing education. November 11th the company increased its dividend 25% to $0.20/share. Payable semi-annually, the next dividend payment of $0.10/share will be made on Jan. 7, 2010, to common stockholders of record as of Dec. 11, 2009. DV also announced that its board of directors authorized a third share repurchase program of $50 million to commence upon completion of the existing $50 million program. The yield based on the new payout is 0.37%.
Span-America Medical (SPAN) manufactures and distributes a variety of polyurethane foam products for the medical and custom products markets. November 11th the company raised its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable December 4, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 20, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 2.47%.
MDU Resources (MDU) is involved in electric and natural gas distribution, natural gas storage, gathering and transmission, construction materials and mining, and oil and natural gas production. November 12th the company increased the quarterly dividend to $0.1575/share. The dividends are payable January 1, 2010 to stockholders of record December 10, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 4, 2009. MDU is a Dividend Achiever and has increased its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.87%.
AmerisourceBergen (ABC) is a distributor of pharmaceutical products and related health care services. November 12 the company raised it's quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08/share. The dividend will be payable December 7, 2009, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 23, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.33%.
The first step for a stock to become a perfect dividend stock is to raise its dividends each and every year. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive dividend increases, see this list.
Full Disclosure: Long ADP. See a list of all my income holdings here.
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