For many investors, there is no clear conviction as to how they should invest. Today’s investments are guided by what was read yesterday, and the popular media is constantly churning out new and different ideas. Granted, it makes for some “interesting” reads, but it certainty is no way to run a portfolio. Time has proven the positive correlation between consistently raising dividends and stock performance.Below are some companies that understand the importance of growing their cash dividends:
NV Energy (NVE) distributes electricity throughout Nevada, as well as parts of northeastern California, and natural gas in northern Nevada. October 29th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.1% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable on December 22, 2010, to shareholders of record on December 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.47%.
RockTenn (RKT) manufactures packaging products, recycled paperboard, containerboard, bleached paperboard and merchandising displays. October 29th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 22 to shareholders of record on Nov. 9. The ex-dividend date is Nov. 5. The yield based on the new payout is 1.38%.
Exterran Partners (EXLP) provides natural gas contract compression services to customers throughout the United States. October 29th the partnership increased its cash distribution to $0.4675/unit. The distribution is payable on November 12, 2010 to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 9, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 7.91%.
Mercury General (MCY) writes a full line of automobile coverage for all classifications of risk. November 1st the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.60/share. The dividend is payable on December 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on December 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 14, 2010. MCY is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.6%.
Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is a provider of machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information used to automate tasks where vision is required. November 1st the company increased its dividend 33% $0.08/share. This increase follows the 20% increase announced in May of 2010 when the company’s Board of Directors increased the dividend from $0.05 per share to $0.06 per share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.08%.
Meadowbrook Insurance (MIG) develops and manages specialty risk management programs for defined client groups and their members in the U.S. November 1st the company raises its quarterly dividend to $0.4/share. The yield based on the new payout is 1.70%.
Principal Financial (PFG) offers businesses, individuals and other clients various financial products and services, including insurance, retirement and investment services. November 1st the company increased its annual dividend 10% to $0.55/share. The dividend is payable on December3, 2010 to shareholders of record as of November 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 17, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.00%.
Emerson (EMR) designs and supplies product technology and delivers engineering services and solutions to a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer markets around the world. November 2nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.345/share. The dividend is payable December 10, 2010, to stockholders of record November 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 10, 2010. EMR is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.52%.
Kimco Realty (KIM) is one of the largest U.S. owners and operators of neighborhood and community shopping centers. November 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable January 18, 2011, to shareholders of record as of December 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 28, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.25%.
AmTrust (AFSI) is a multinational specialty property and casualty insurance company. November 3rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable on January 18, 2011 to shareholders of record as of January 3, 2011. The ex-dividend date is December 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.09%.
Yamana (AUY) has gold production, gold development stage properties, exploration properties, and land positions in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Central America. November 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend by 200% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record on Dec. 31. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 29. The company also announced a special dividend of 1c/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.46%.
Textainer (TGH) engages in the purchase, management, leasing, and resale of a fleet of marine cargo containers worldwide. November 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.27/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.02%.
Maiden Holdings (MHLD) provides primary insurance on a surplus lines basis focusing on non-catastrophe property and inland marine. November 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable on January 18, 2011 to shareholders of record as of January 3, 2011. The ex-dividend date is December 30, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.58%.
Lexington Realty Trust (LXP) holds a portfolio of office, industrial, and retail properties, with a focus on single-tenant properties. November 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.115/share. The dividend is payable January 14, 2011, to unitholders of record as of December, 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.56%.
Tupperware Brands (TUP) is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, primarily focused on storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home (through the Tupperware brand) and beauty and personal care products for consumers (through eight other brands). November 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 4 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 15. The yield based on the new payout is 2.54%.
Universal Corp. (UVV) is the holding company for the world's largest independent leaf tobacco dealer. November 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.1% to $0.48/share. The dividend is payable February 14, 2011, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 10, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 6, 2011. UVV is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 40 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.48%.
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 EMR. See a list of all my income holdings here.
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