I couldn’t begin to estimate how many different stocks are traded around the world on the various exchanges. Like everything else, there are many participants, but few players. Though the population of stocks may be large, there are only a precious few that are worthy dividend stocks. Increasing dividends is one attribute that separates the good dividend stocks from the rest.This week a large number of companies chose to step up and reward their investors with higher cash dividends:
Enterprise Bancorp (EBTC) provides various banking products and services in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.10/share. The dividend is to be paid on March 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.80%.
ONEOK Partners (OKS) is a leading transporter of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in the Mid-Continent area to market centers in the U.S. January 20th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution to $1.10/unit. The distribution is payable Feb. 12, 2010, to unitholders of record as of Jan. 29, 2010. ONEOK Partners has increased its distribution by more than 38 percent since April 2006, when a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) became general partner. The yield based on the new payout is 6.67%.
McGraw-Hill (MHP) is a leading information services organization serving worldwide markets in education, business, industry, other professions and government. January 20th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 4.4% to $0.235/share. The dividend is payable on March 10, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 24, 2010. MHP is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 37 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.88%.
Omega Healthcare (OHI) is a real estate investment trust that invests in and provides financing to the long-term care industry with health care facilities in 27 states. January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.32/share. The dividend is to be paid February 16, 2010 to common stockholders of record on January 29, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.42%.
Tiffany (TIF) is a leading international retailer, designer, manufacturer, and distributor of fine jewelry and gift items. January 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend by 18% to $0.20/share and announced it will resume share buybacks. The new dividend is effective with the next payment in April. The yield based on the new payout is 1.92%.
Washington Post (WPO) publishes The Washington Post newspaper and Newsweek magazine, operates TV stations and cable systems, and provides education and database services. January 21st the company bumped its quarterly dividend $2.25/share. The dividend is payable on February 5, 2010, to shareholders of record on January 25, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.01%.
Family Dollar (FDO) operates a chain of more than 6,650 retail discount stores in 44 states across the U.S. January 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend 14.8% to $0.155/share.The dividend is payable Thursday, April 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Monday, March 15, 2010. FDO is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.01%.
Wesco Financial (WSC) engages in three principal businesses through its subsidiaries: insurance, furniture rental, and steel services. January 21st the company increased its quarterly to $0.41/share. The dividend is payable March 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 4, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 2, 2010. WSC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 0.46%.
Polaris Industries (PII) manufactures snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and related accessories for recreational and/or utility use. January 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable on February 16, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2010. PII is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.61%.
Spectra Energy Partners (SEP) transports natural gas through interstate pipeline systems, and stores natural gas in underground facilities in the United States. January 21st the partnership boosted its quarterly distribution 2.5% to $0.41/unit. The distribution is payable on February 12, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on February 2, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.40%.
Pall Corp (PLL) is a leading producer of filters for the health care, aerospace, microelectronics, and other industries. January 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.16/share. The dividend is payable on February 23, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 5, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.75%.
Consolidated Edison (ED) is an electric and gas utility holding company serving parts of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. January 21st the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.595/share. ED is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.22%.
Finish Line (FINL) is a mall-based specialty retailer. January 21st the company bumped it quarterly dividend to $0.04/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 24, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.38%.
Although growing its dividend is important, to be a great dividend stock a company must do it 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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Tags: [EBTC] [ED] [FDO] [FINL] [MHP] [OHI] [OKS] [PII] [PLL] [SEP] [TIF] [WPO] [WSC]