5 Stocks Focusing On Their Shareholders With Increased Cash Dividends

In one form or another, I get the this question, “What do you think of the market? Where’s it headed?” Normally, I politely respond as expected, but occasionally I will startle the person with a reply like, “I don’t know. For me it really doesn’t matter much.” My investing goals are not defined by movements in the market. Instead of looking at the market and its direction, investors in dividend growth stocks should focus on quality, price and ultimate value of individual stocks.

Below are several companies focusing on their shareholders by raising cash dividends:

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) designs, manufactures, and sells Internet Protocol (IP) based networking and other products related to the communications and information technology industry worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.33 per share. The dividend is payable April 25, 2018 to stockholders of record on April 5, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of April 4, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) provides technology solutions to business and public sector enterprises. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.1125 per share. The dividend is payable July 4, 2018 to stockholders of record on June 13, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of June 12, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.6%.

The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States and internationally. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.39 per share. The dividend is payable June 7, 2018 to stockholders of record on May 17, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of May 16, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Dollar General Corporation (DG), a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, midwestern, and eastern United States. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.29 per share. The dividend is payable April 24, 2018 to stockholders of record on April 10, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of April 9, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) provides a range of retail and commercial banking services to businesses, individuals, and non-profit and governmental entities. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.6% to $0.195 per share. The dividend is payable April 20, 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%.

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.

Long CSCO in my Dividend Growth Stocks Portfolio. See a list of all my Dividend Growth Portfolio holdings here.

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Tags: CSCO, HPE, TJX, DG, OZRK,