Friday, November 26, 2010

* 12 Stocks Not Missing Their Opportunity To Increase Dividends

In everything we do, we always want to be the best or be associated with the best. You never hear fans yelling, ‘We’re number 2, we’re number 2′, while holding two fingers in the air. The same is true when selecting dividend stocks. One attribute of the very best dividend stocks is a long history of consecutive dividend increases.


Below are several dividend stocks that did not miss their opportunity increase cash dividends:

Donaldson Co. (DCI) operates as a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. November 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable December 17, 2010, to shareholders of record as of December 6, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 2, 2010. DCI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1%.

South Jersey Industries (SJI) is an energy services holding company that provides energy related products and services. November 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 10.6% to $0.365/share. The dividend is payable December 29, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. SJI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

York Water (YORW) impounds, purifies and distributes water in York County and Adams County, Pennsylvania. November 22nd the company increased quarterly dividend 2.3% to $0.131/share. The dividend is payable January 14, 2011 to shareholders as of record date December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.

Hormel Foods (HRL) is a leading processor of branded, convenience meat products (primarily pork) for the consumer market. November 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.25/share. The quarterly dividend is payable Feb. 15, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 23, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BDX) provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products used in hospitals, doctors' offices, research labs and other settings. November 23rd the company increased quarterly dividend 10.8% to $0.41/share. The dividend will be payable on December 31, 2010 to holders of record on December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. BDX is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 37 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

Ship Finance Int'l (SFL) owns an international fleet of crude oil tankers, which are leased under long-term, fixed-price charters. November 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.9% to $0.36/share. The dividend is payable on or about December 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date will be December 6, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.2%.

RGC Resources (RGCO) distributes and sells natural gas in Virginia to residential, commercial and industrial users through underground mains and service lines. November 23rd increased quarterly dividend 3% to $0.36/share. The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 14, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.4%.

Guess? (GES) offers one of the world's leading lifestyle collections of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children, sold in multiple channels including wholesale, company-owned retail locations, e-commerce, and licensed stores. November 23rd the company raised increased its quarterly dividend to $0.20/share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.6%.

Raymond James (RJF) offers securities brokerage, investment banking, financial planning, banking and investment advisory and related financial services. November 23rd the company raises its quarterly dividend by 18% to $0.13/share. November 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend by 18% to $0.13/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 19 to shareholders of record on Jan. 3. The yield based on the new payout is 1.81%.

McCormick (MKC) manufactures, marketing and distribution of spices, herbs, seasonings, specialty foods and flavors to the entire food industry. November 23rd raised its quarterly dividend 8% from to $0.28/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record on Dec. 31. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 29. MKC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Oriental Financial (OFG) provides a range of financial products and services primarily in Puerto Rico and Florida. November 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record on Dec. 31. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 29. The yield based on the new payout is 1.68%.

Abington Bancorp (ABBC) owns Abington Savings Bank, d/b/a Abington Bank, which provides various financial products and services in Pennsylvania. November 24th the company increased quarterly dividend 20% to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 21 to shareholders of record on Dec. 7. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 3. The yield based on the new payout is 2.02%.

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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- Five Aristocrats That Have Been There Before
- Optimizing Your Asset Allocation
- In Dividend Investing, Cash Is King
- High Yield, High Risk Dividend Stocks
- Are REITs and Utilities Good Dividend Investments?
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