20 Dividend Stocks Giving Shareholders a Raise

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Feb 13, 2012
Dividend stocks are sometimes referred to as defensive stocks since many investors flee to them in an economic downturn. Their dividends, if sustainable, provide a minimum level of positive return. This cushions the downward pressure from the market. Better yet, great dividend companies not only sustain their dividends in a downturn — they actually raise them.


Below are several stocks displaying confidence in the future by increasing their cash dividends:


United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS, Financial), a package delivery company, provides transportation, logistics, and financial services in the United States and internationally. February 9, the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.6% to $0.57 per share. The dividend is payable March 7, 2012, to shareholders of record on Feb. 21, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.


Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY, Financial) operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company primarily in the United States. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.54 per share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2012, to stockholders of record as of March 9, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.


3M Company (MMM, Financial) operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.59 per share. The dividend is payable on March 12, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 17, 2012. 3M has paid dividends to its shareholders without interruption for more than 95 years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.


Lorillard Inc. (LO) engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the U.S. February 9, the company increased its quarterly dividend 19% to $1.55 per share. The dividend is payable on March 9, 2012 to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.0%.


Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS, Financial), an integrated brand owner, engages in the manufacture and distribution of non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. February 8, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.3% to $0.34 per share. The dividend is payable on April 6, 2012, to shareholders of record as of close of business on March 19, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.


Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC) and its subsidiaries provide advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. February 8, the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30 per share. The dividend is payable on April 2, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.


Fidelity National Financial Inc. (FNF) provides title insurance, mortgage services, specialty insurance, and information services in the United States. February 8, the company increased its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.14 per share. The dividend is payable March 30, 2012, to stockholders of record as of March 16, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.


Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (SIX) owns and operates regional theme, water and zoological parks in North America. February 8, the company increased its quarterly dividend from $0.06 per share to $0.60 per share. The dividend is payable March 12, 2012 to shareholders of record as of March 1, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.


Chesapeake Lodging Trust (CHSP) is a self-advised lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investments primarily in upper-upscale hotels in major business and convention markets. February 8, the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.22 per share. The dividend is payable on April 13, 2012 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.


Diebold, Incorporated (DBD, Financial) provides integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services primarily to the financial, commercial, government and retail markets worldwide. February 8, the company increased its quarterly 1.8% to $0.28 per share. The dividend is payable on Monday, March 5, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Monday, February 20. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.


Time Warner Inc. (TWX, Financial) operates as a media and entertainment company in the U.S. and internationally. February 8, the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.26 per share of common stock, payable in cash on March 15, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 29, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.


L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (LLL) provides command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. February 7, the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.50 per share. The board has also declared the next dividend payable on March 15, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.


Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) engages in the exploration, mining and production of mineral resources. February 7, the company increased its quarterly dividend $0.3125 per share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.


The Western Union Company (WU, Financial) provides money transfer and payment services worldwide. February 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable payable March 30, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.0%.


Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE, Financial) engages in the production, distribution, and marketing of non-alcoholic beverages of The Coca-Cola Company in western Europe. February 7, the company increased its quarterly dividend 23% to $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable March 22, 2012 to shareowners of record on March 9, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.3%.


Owens & Minor Inc. (OMI, Financial) provides distribution, third-party logistics, and other supply-chain management services to healthcare providers and suppliers of medical and surgical products. February 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.22 per share. The dividend is payable on March 30, 2012, to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.


Home Properties Inc. (HME, Financial), a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the ownership, operation, acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of apartment communities in the U.S. February 6, the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.5% to $0.66 per share. The dividend is payable on Feb. 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on Feb. 16, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.3%.


R.G. Barry Corporation (DFZ) engages in designing, sourcing, marketing and distributing consumer products in the retail accessories category primarily in North America. February 6, the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.08 per share. The dividend is payable March 5, 2012 to common shareholders of record on Feb. 20, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.


Avista Corporation (AVA, Financial), an energy company, engages in the generation, transmission and distribution of energy and other energy-related businesses in the U.S. and Canada. February 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.5% to $0.29 per share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 24, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.5%.


Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG, Financial) is an independent equity real estate investment trust. It engages in investment, ownership, and management of properties. February 3, the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.6% to $0.95 per share. The dividend is payable on Feb. 29, 2012 to stockholders of record on Feb. 15, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.


Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends and those expected to in 2012; 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 MMM, OMI in my Dividend Growth Portfolio, AVA in my High-Yield Portfolio. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.


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