When evaluating a company as a potential income investment you look at its calculated fair value, ability to generate cash, debt position and the net present value of its dividend stream compared to alternative “safe” investments. The advantages dividend stocks have over "safe" investments are potential capital appreciation and dividend growth. Not only are your earnings compounding, but the rate of earnings is growing.
Below are several companies giving their shareholders a raise with increased cash dividends:
QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) designs, develops, manufactures, and markets digital communication products worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.62 per share. The increased dividend will be effective for quarterly dividends payable after March 21, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.
Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) manufactures and sells consumer products worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.42 per share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2018 to stockholders of record on April 20, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of April 19, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.
BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) is a publicly owned investment manager. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $2.88 per share. The dividend is payable March 22, 2018 to stockholders of record on March 7, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of March 6, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.
American Tower (AMT), one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 150,000 communications sites. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.1% to $0.75 per share. The dividend is payable April 27, 2018 to stockholders of record on April 11, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of April 10, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.93 per share. The dividend is payable May 11, 2018 to stockholders of record on April 13, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of April 12, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.
MGM Resorts International (MGM) owns and/or operates casino resorts in the United States and China. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.1% to $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2018 to stockholders of record on March 9, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of March 8, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.
PPL Corporation (PPL), a utility holding company, delivers electricity and natural gas in the United States and the United Kingdom. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.8% to $0.41 per share. The dividend is payable April 2, 2018 to stockholders of record on March 9, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of March 8, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 6.0%.
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 QCOM, CL, GD in my various portfolios. See a list of all my Dividend Growth Portfolio holdings here.
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Tags: QCOM, CL, BLK, AMT, GD, MGM, PPL,