Monday, February 5, 2018

7 Stocks Delivering Higher Dividends

If you closely follow the daily financial news as presented by the mainstream media, it is easy to become jaded and start believing that there isn’t any good news out there. Don’t be confused by the noise. There are still many great companies committed to generating superior returns and rewarding their shareholder by increasing cash dividends.

Below are several companies delivering good news to their shareholders with recently increased cash dividends:

Chevron Corporation (CVX) engages in integrated energy, chemicals, and petroleum operations worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.7% to $1.12 per share. The dividend is payable March 12, 2018 to stockholders of record on February 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 15, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.

Visa Inc. (V) operates as a payments technology company worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.21 per share. The dividend is payable March 6, 2018 to stockholders of record on February 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 15, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 0.7%.

ConocoPhillips (COP) explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.5% to $0.285 per share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2018 to stockholders of record on February 12, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 9, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Unilever PLC (UL) operates in the fast-moving consumer goods market. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.2% to $0.4452 per share. The dividend is payable March 21, 2018 to stockholders of record on February 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 15, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.

Exelon Corporation (EXC), a utility services holding company, engages in the energy generation and delivery businesses in the United States and Canada. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.345 per share. The dividend is payable March 9, 2018 to stockholders of record on February 15, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 14, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.

Aflac Incorporated (AFL) American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 16% to $0.52 per share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2018 to stockholders of record on February 21, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 20, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (ETE) provides diversified energy-related services in the United States. Recently the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 3.4% to $0.305 per unit. The distribution is payable February 20, 2018 to unitholders of record on February 8, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of February 7, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 6.6%.

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: Long CVX, AFL in my Dividend Growth Stocks Portfolio. See a list of all my Dividend Growth Portfolio holdings here.

Related Articles
- 8 Dividend Stocks With A 15% Yield In 15 Years
- Don't Touch These 5 Dividend Stocks!
- 9 Higher Yielders With A Low Free Cash Flow Payout
- 6 Dividend Stocks Headed In The Right Direction
- Are The Dividends Safe For These High-Yielding Stocks?

(Photo Credit)


Tags: CVX, V, COP, UL, EXC, AFL, ETE,