What began as a slow week for dividend increases accelerated toward the end, and included a bit of a controversy, as Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) added its name to a list of companies moving to increase dividends.

In the end, 7 stocks made it onto our list of Companies Increasing Dividends this week. (Note: All dividend yields are as of March 22):

Specialty gas provider Air Products & Chemicals (NYSE:APD) raised its quarterly dividend 11% to 71 cents per share, payable May 13 to shareholders of record on April 1. The increase marks APD’s 31st consecutive year of increases.
APD Dividend Yield: 3.24%

Single-tenant, free-standing real estate investment trust American Realty Capital Properties (NASDAQ:ARCP) raised its quarterly dividend 1.1% to 91 cents per share, payable in connection with the June dividend, and distributions will continue to be paid on the 15th day of each month to stockholders of record on the eighth day of such month.
ARCP Dividend Yield: 6.28%

Cincinnati-based bank holding company Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) raised its quarterly dividend 10% to 11 cents per share, payable April 18 to shareholders of record on March 29.
FITB Dividend Yield: 2.69%

Branded consumer manufacturer and marketer General Mills (NYSE:GIS) raised its quarterly dividend 15% to 38 cents per share, effective with the Aug. 1 payout to shareholders of record on July 10. General Mills and its predecessor firm have paid a dividend for 114 consecutive years without a reduction.
GIS Dividend Yield: 3.16%

Corn starch and sweetener manufacturer Ingredion (NYSE:INGR) raised its quarterly dividend 46% to 38 cents per share, payable April 25 to stockholders of record on April 1.
INGR Dividend Yield: 2.17%

Technology giant Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) raised its quarterly dividend 10% to 14.52 cents per share, starting with the next dividend announcement expected in May 2013. Both the ex-dividend and payments dates will be announced at a later date.
HPQ Dividend Yield: 2.31%

Software and hardware technology provider Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) raised its annual dividend 10% to $2.20 per share, coming out to 55 cents quarterly, payable May 2 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 3. This represents Raytheon’s ninth consecutive annual increase.
RTN Dividend Yield: 3.85%

Specialty home products retailer Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) raised its quarterly dividend 41% to 31 cents per share, payable May 24 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 26.
WSM Dividend Yield: 2.51%

Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. For more payout winners, see previous weeks’ lists of Companies Increasing Dividends.