When you purchase individual stocks, risk is inherit. Sometimes bad things happen to good stocks. Eventually, every investor will hold a stock that falls out of favor and endures a double-digit decline. Understanding this from the onset makes it easier to deal with. To minimize the risk of significant declines, your core portfolio should focus on blue-chip dividend growth stocks.Listed below are select companies that have recently elected to raise their payout and yield by increasing their cash dividends to shareholders:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 8,970 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. March 3nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 21 percent increase to $0.3650/share. The dividend is payable on April 4, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL) engages in the delivery and sale of natural gas, and provides energy-related products and services in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. March 3nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.3875/share. This annual increase is the 35th consecutive year that WGL Holdings, Inc. has increased the cash dividend on its common stock. The new quarterly dividend is payable May 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on April 8, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.
General Dynamics (GD) is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. March 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.47/share. The dividend is payable May 6, 2011, to shareholders of record on April 8. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Fred's, Inc. (FRED) operates 676 discount general merchandise stores, including 24 franchised Fred's stores, in the southeastern United States. March 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.
Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. March 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.9% to $0.34/share. The dividend is payable March 25, 2011 to stockholders of record on March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.7%.
National Interstate Corporation (NATL) is the holding company for a specialty property-casualty insurance group which differentiates itself by offering products and services designed to meet the unique needs of niche markets. March 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable on March 18, 2011 to shareholders of record of the Company's common stock as of the close of business on March 9, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (THG) offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents. March 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.275/share. The dividend is payable March 29, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.
UniSource Energy Corporation (UNS), through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric utility in Arizona. February 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.42/share. The dividend is payable on March 23, 2011 to common shareholders of record as of March 11, 2011. In 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (CBL) is one of the largest and most active owners and developers of malls and shopping centers in the United States. February 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2011, to shareholders of record as of March 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.7%.
Weingarten Realty (WRI) is a commercial real estate owner, manager and developer. February 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.8% to $0.275/share. The dividend is payable in cash on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.3%.
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 GD, WMT. See a list of all my income holdings here.
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