This week several companies provided their shareholders with a special delivery in the form of higher cash dividends:
McDonald's Corporation (MCD) operates as a foodservice retailer worldwide. September 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.70 per share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) is a global security company engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. September 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $1.00 per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 30, 2011 to holders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.5%.
Bank of South Carolina Corporation (BKSC) provides commercial banking products and services to individuals, and small and medium-sized businesses in South Carolina. September 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.11 per share. This quarterly dividend is payable October 31, 2011 to shareholders of record as of October 12, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.
QAD Inc. (QADA) provides enterprise software applications, and related services and support for manufacturing companies worldwide. September 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.072 per share. The dividend is payable on January 9, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
The First of Long Island Corporation (FLIC) operates as a bank holding company for The First National Bank of Long Island that provides various financial services. September 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.5% to $0.22 per share. The dividend is payable on October 14, 2011 to shareholders of record on October 6, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) develops, licenses, and supports a range of software products and services for various computing devices worldwide. September 20th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable December 8, 2011 to shareholders of record on November 17, 2011. The ex-dividend date will be November 15, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.
Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) operates as a diversified financial services holding company in the United States. September 20th the company increased it quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08 per share. The cash dividend is payable on Thursday, October 20, 2011 to shareholders of record as of Friday, September 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) is a publicly owned real estate investment trust (REIT). September 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.04 per share. The dividend is payable on October 17, 2011 to stockholders of record on September 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.
Realty Income Corporation (O) engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial retail real estate properties in the United States. September 19th the company increased its monthly dividend to $0.1451875 per share. The dividend is payable on October 17, 2011 to shareholders of record as of October 3, 2011. This is the 56th consecutive quarterly increase and the 63rd dividend increase since Realty Income went public in 1994. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.
Horizon Bancorp (HBNC) operates as the bank holding company for Horizon Bank, N.A., which provides commercial and retail banking products and services in northwestern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. September 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.9% to $0.18 per share. The dividend is payable on October 14, 2011 to shareholders of record as of September 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.
EPIQ Systems, Inc. (EPIQ) provides integrated technology solutions for the legal profession. September 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 43% to f $0.05 per share. The dividend is payable on November 17, 2011, to shareowners of record at the close of business on October 27, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.
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 MCD, LMT, O . See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.
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