To ensure a retirement that is free from financial concerns, there are certain things that must be done today. The stock market does not travel in a straight line. There will be times it will behave irrationally. These are the times that try an investor's patience. Those with clear goals and confidence in their chosen strategy aren't phased by these market movements. Building a secure future by investing in quality dividend growth stocks is neither complicated nor overly burdensome.Below are several companies that have recently increased their cash dividends to shareholders:
Alliant Energy (LNT) provides electric and natural gas utility services, and also has various unregulated energy, freight transportation, and other investments. January 14th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.45/share. The dividend is payable on February 15, 2011, to share owners of record on close of business January 31, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.
Core Labs (CLB) is a Netherlands-based company that provides reservoir description, production enhancement, and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry worldwide. January 14th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on Feb. 25 to shareholders of record on Jan. 25. The ex-dividend date is Jan. 21. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.
Calumet Specialty Products (CLMT) is an independent U.S. refiner and marketer operates refineries in Louisiana and facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas, and distributes product throughout North America. January 14th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 2.2% to $0.47/unit. The distribution will be payable on February 14, 2011 to holders of record of such units at the close of business on February 4, 2011. The ex-distribution date is February 2, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 7.8%.
Enterprise Products (EPD) is an integrated provider of natural gas and natural gas liquids services, including processing, fractionation, storage, transportation, and terminalling. January 14th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution 1.3% to $0.59/unit. The distribution will be paid on Monday, February 7, 2011, to unitholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, January 31, 2011. The ex-distribution date is January 27, 2011. EPD is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 5.5%.
Standard Motor (SMP) manufactures and distributes replacement parts for the automotive aftermarket. January 18ththe company increased its quarterly dividend 40% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2011 to stockholders of record on February 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.3%.
Crestwood Midstream (CMLP) is involved in gathering and processing natural gas and natural gas liquids. January 18th the partnership increases its quarterly distribution 2.3% to $0.43/unit. This distribution will be paid on February 11, 2011, to unitholders of record on February 1, 2011. The ex-distribution date is January 28, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 6.1%.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (BHB) offers a range of deposit, loan, and related banking products, as well as brokerage services. January 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 1.9%. The quarterly cash dividend is payable to all shareholders of record as of the close of business February 16, 2011 and will be paid on March 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.
Enterprise Bancorp (EBTC) owns Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, which provides various banking products and services in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. January 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.105/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.
Linear Technology (LLTC) manufactures high-performance linear integrated circuits. January 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.5% to $0.24/share. The dividend is payable March 2, 2011 to stockholders of record on February 18, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 16, 2011. LLTC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.
Global Partners (GLP) engages in the wholesale and commercial distribution of refined petroleum products and provides ancillary services in the U.S. and internationally. January 19th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution 1% to $0.50/share. The distribution will be paid February 14, 2011 to unitholders of record as of the close of business February 3, 2011. The ex-distribution date is February 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 7.2%.
McGraw-Hill (MHP) is a leading information services organization serves worldwide markets in education, business, industry, other professions and government. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.4% to $0.25/share. The dividend will be payable on March 10, 2011, to shareholders of record on February 24, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 22, 2011. MHP is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Kinder Morgan (KMP) is one of the largest pipeline master limited partnerships (MLPs) in the U.S. January 19th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 1.8% to $1.13/unit. The distribution is payable on February 14, 2011, to unitholders of record as of January 31, 2011. The ex-distribution date is January 27, 2011. KMP is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its distribution for 15 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.3%.
ONEOK (OKE) is an Oklahoma-based integrated natural gas company also has an energy marketing and trading business. January 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.52/share. The dividend is payable February 14, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business January 31, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.
Western Gas (WES) engages in the business of gathering, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas. January 19th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution 2.7% to $0.38/unit. The distribution is payable on February 11, 2011 to unitholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2011. The ex-distribution date is January 28, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.9%.
ALLETE (ALE) mainly provides electric service in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.1% to $0.445/share. The quarterly dividend is payable March 1 to common shareholders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.
Mac-Gray (TUC) operates as a laundry facilities management contractor in the U.S. January 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.055/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2011, to stockholders 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 1.4%.
Finish Line (FINL) is a mall-based specialty retailers in United States. January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The quarterly cash dividend will be payable March 14, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 25, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 21, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.
Washington Post (WPO) publishes The Washington Post newspaper, operates TV stations and cable systems, and provides education and database services. January 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4.4% to $2.35/share. The The dividend is payable on February 11, 2011, to shareholders of record on January 31, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.
Family Dollar (FDO) operates a chain of over 6,800 retail discount stores in 44 states across the U.S. January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 16% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable Friday, April 15, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2011. FDO is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 35 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.6%.
StoneMor (STON) operates 235 cemeteries in 24 states and Puerto Rico (as of December 31, 2009). January 20th the partnership raised its quarterly distribution 1.8% to $0.575/unit. The distribution is payable on February 14, 2011, to common and subordinated unit holders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2011. The ex-distribution date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 7.5%.
1st Source Corporation (SRCE) owns 1st Source Bank and First National Bank, Valparaiso that offer commercial and consumer banking services to clients in Indiana and Michigan. January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.16/share. The cash dividend is payable on February 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 4, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.
Polaris Industries (PII) designs, engineers, and manufactures all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and motorcycles. January 20th the company raised its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.45/share. The dividend is payable on February 15, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 28, 2011. PII is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Centerpoint Energy (CNP) is one of the largest electric and natural gas delivery companies in the U.S. January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.1975/share. The dividend is payable on March 10 to shareholders of record on Feb. 16. The ex-dividend date is Feb. 14. The yield based on the new payout is 4.96%.
ONEOK (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 $1.14/unit. The distribution is payable February 14, 2011, to unitholders of record as of January 31, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.7%.
Pall Corp. (PLL) is a leading producer of filters for the health care, aerospace, microelectronics and other industries.
January 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.4% to $0.175/share. The dividend is payable on February 23, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.
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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