However, when a company freezes its dividend at the current rate, the decision is not as clear-cut. At this point you must look look at alternative investments, along with the company’s current yield and future outlook.
Here are a few select companies that have avoided a November freeze by increasing the cash dividends paid to their shareholders:
Telular Corporation (WRLS) designs, develops, and distributes products and services that utilize wireless networks to provide data and voice connectivity among people and machines. November 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.11 per share. The dividend is payable November 29, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 22, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 7.3%.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines. November 10th company increased its quarterly dividend 10.5% to $0.42 per share. The dividend is payable on January 9, 2012, to stockholders of record on December 15, 2011, with an ex-dividend date of December 13, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.8%.
Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. (AE) engages in marketing crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. November 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.57 per share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.
Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) engages in multiple insurance and retirement businesses in the United States. November 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 60% to $0.08 per share. The dividend is payable on February 1, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 10, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 1.6%.
AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC), a pharmaceutical services company, provides drug distribution and related services to healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. November 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13% to $0.13 per share. The dividend is payable December 5, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 21, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.
Orchids Paper Products Company (TIS) manufactures private label tissue products for the consumer market. November 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 100% to $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable on December 21, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 5, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 6.3%.
Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) engages in the natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage businesses. November 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.5% to $0.345 cents a share. This is the 24th consecutive year that the company has increased its dividend. The dividend is payable on December 12, 2011, to shareholders of record on November 25, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU) offers various financial products and services in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. November 8th the company increased its annual dividend 26% to $1.45 per share. The dividend is payable on December 16, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 22, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (MLAB) designs, manufactures, and markets instruments and disposable products utilized primarily in healthcare, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, medical device, and petrochemical industries. November 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable December 15, 2011, to shareholders of record on November 28, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.
Universal Corporation (UVV) is the leading global leaf tobacco merchant and processor and conducts business in more than 30 countries. November 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.1% to $0.49 per share. The dividend is payable February 13, 2012, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 9, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.5%.
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), with about $10 billion in revenues and approximately 570,000 clients, is one of the world's largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. November 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.395 cents per share. The dividend is payable January 1, 2012 to shareholders of record at December 9, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.
Aircastle Limited (AYR) is a global company that acquires, leases and sells high-utility commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. November 8th the compnay increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on November 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.9%.
Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI) offers a range of human resource management services to assist small and medium-sized businesses to manage the costs and complexities of employment-related issues. November 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.11 per share. The dividend is payable on December 9, 2011 to all stockholders of record as of November 25, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
DDR (DDR) is an owner and manager of 538 value-oriented shopping centers representing 134 million square feet in 41 states, Puerto Rico and Brazil. November 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08 per share. The dividend is payable January 6, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.6%.
PacWest Bancorp (PACW) provides commercial banking services, including real estate, construction and commercial loans, to small and medium-sized businesses. November 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend from $0.01 per share to $0.18 per share. The dividend is payable on November 30, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.
EMC Insurance Group Inc. (EMCI) is the publicly-held insurance holding company of Employers Mutual, a multiple-line property and casualty insurance company. November 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable November 23, 2011 to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.
Textainer (TGH) has operated since 1979 and is the world’s largest lessor of intermodal containers based on fleet size. November 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.1% to $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on November 28, 2011 to shareholders of record as of November 14, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.
Snap-on Incorporated (SNA) is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks. November 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.3% to $0.34 per share. The dividend is payable December 9, 2011, to shareholders of record on November 18, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions. November 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.348 per share. The dividend is payable on December 5, 2011, to stockholders of record on November 21, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.
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 ADP. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.
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- Don't Fall Into A Dividend Trap
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