Most of the company's assets and records were destroyed in the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. A new five-story building was erected on the same site within 10 months.
Willoughby's nephew Charles began working for the company in the summer of 1912 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1925. Willoughby died on November 4, 1932, and Charles was elected President and Chairman of the Board at age 36.
Through a series of acquisitions, the company grew. Ben-Hur Products was acquired in 1953, and Canada's Gorman Eckert & Co. Ltd. of London, Ontario, was acquired in 1959. Gilroy Foods became a wholly owned subsidiary in 1961. Other acquisitions included Baker Extract Co. in 1962, Cake Mate cake decorating in 1967, Childers Foods in 1968, and Tubed Products, an Easthampton, Massachusetts contract food packer and producer of plastic tubes, also in 1968.
The company that started in one room and a cellar, now has 7,500 employees and annual revenue of over $3.5 billion dollars. You may not of heard of the company, but the cook in your family will be very familiar with its products. Who is the company? It is...
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC)
The company engages in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. November 27th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.7% to $0.34 per share. The dividend is payable January 14, 2013 to shareholders of record December 31, 2012. This marks the 27th consecutive year that the Company has increased its quarterly dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.
Below are several other companies that have recently increased their cash dividends to shareholders:
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) is a publicly owned real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily engages in the ownership and operation of hotel properties. November 29th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.5% to $0.09 per share. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2013 to stockholders of record on December 31, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Financial Institutions (FISI), Inc. operates as the holding company for Five Star Bank that provides consumer and commercial banking, and financial services to individuals, municipalities, and businesses in central and western New York. November 28th the company increased its dividend 14% to $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable January 2, 2013 to shareholders of record on December 17, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.
OGE Energy Corp. (OGE) operates as an energy and energy services provider that offers physical delivery and related services for electricity and natural gas primarily in the south central United States. November 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend $0.4175 per share of stock. The dividend to be paid Jan. 30, 2013, to shareowners of record Jan. 10, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.
C&F Financial Corporation (CFFI) operates as the holding company for Citizens and Farmers Bank that provides various banking and related financial services to individuals and businesses. November 28th the company increased its dividend 7.4% to $0.27 per share. The dividend is payable December 21, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.
R.G. Barry Corporation (DFZ) engages in designing, sourcing, marketing, and distributing footwear, foot and shoe care products, hand bags, tote bags, and other travel accessories primarily in North America. November 28th the company increased its quarterly dividend 12.8% to $0.09 per share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on Dec. 14, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Merck & Co. (MRK), Inc. provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. November 27th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.43 per share. Payment will be made on Jan. 8, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 17, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.
BankUnited, Inc. (BKU), a bank holding company, provides a range of banking products and financial services to commercial and middle-market businesses, as well as individual customers primarily in Florida. November 26th the company increased its quarterly dividend 24% to $0.21 per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 27, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 13, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.
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 dividend growth holdings here.
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