Dow Stars, Biotech Lead 13 Dividend Stocks Increasing Payouts

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Santa Claus came a week early for investors, courtesy in large part to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. The central bank’s “patience” stance when it comes to future interest rate hikes was a present to the bulls, and the result was a week of pre-holiday stock market revelry.

dividend stocks to buyThe gains in the major averages on Wednesday and Thursday (nearly 4.5% for the S&P 500 over the two sessions) were impressive, but equally impressive were the number of high-profile dividend stocks increasing shareholder payouts.

From Dow components to biotech stars to financial services, this week’s batch of dividend stocks represents some of the largest, most widely held companies on the planet.

Here are 13 dividend stocks increasing payouts.

3M Co (MMM) taped up its dividend, adding 19.9% to its quarterly payment. The new dividend of $1.025 per share is payable March 12 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 13. The diversified industrial products manufacturer, and Dow component’s shares become ex-dividend on Feb. 11.
MMM Dividend Yield: 2.48%

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) boosted the dosage on its quarterly dividend by 9.1% to 24 cents per share. The drug and medical device marker’s new payment will be delivered Feb. 13 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 15. ABT shares become ex-dividend on Jan. 13.
ABT Dividend Yield: 2.08%

AES Corp (AES) turned up the power on its quarterly payout, with a 100% increase in its quarterly dividend to 10 cents per share. The utility giant’s new payment to shareholders will be made Feb. 17 to owners of record as of Feb. 3. The stock goes ex-dividend on Jan. 30.
AES Dividend Yield: 3%

Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) went into its fiscal laboratory and released a 29.5% more potent dividend of 79 cents per share. The biotech therapeutics maker will pay its new dividend on March 6 to shareholder of record as of Feb. 12. The stock becomes ex-dividend on Feb. 10.
AMGN Dividend Yield: 1.88%

Boeing Co (BA) propelled its dividend to a higher altitude, as the company turned on the afterburners on its payout by 24.7% to 91 cents per share. The aerospace giant, and Dow component’s new dividend is payable March 6 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 13. The stock goes ex-dividend on Feb. 11.
BA Dividend Yield: 2.86%

CVS Health Corp (CVS) filled shareholders’ dividend prescriptions with a 27% increase to 35 cents per share. The pharmacy retailer said its new payment will be ready for pickup on Feb. 2 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 22. The shares will be ex-dividend as of Jan. 20.
CVS Dividend Yield: 1.45%

Eli Lilly and Co (LLY) upped the potency on its quarterly payout by 2% to 50 cents per share. The drug maker’s new dividend dose will be injected March 10 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 13. LLY shares go ex-dividend on Feb. 11.
LLY Dividend Yield: %

General Electric Company (GE) raised its quarterly dividend 4.5% to 23 cents per share. The mega-cap diversified industrial and financial giant is slated to pay the boosted dividend on Jan. 26 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 22. Shares went ex-dividend on Dec. 18.
GE Dividend Yield: 3.65%

Moody’s Corporation (MCO) issued a new rating on its quarterly dividend, increasing its payment 21.4% to 34 cents per share. The bond rating and fiscal analytics firm’s increase to shareholders will be sent on March 10 to owners of record as of Feb. 20. The stock becomes ex-dividend on Feb. 18.
MCO Dividend Yield: 1.4%

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) upped the potency of its dividend 7.7% to 28 cents per share. The drug giant, and Dow component’s new payment is scheduled to arrive in shareholder accounts on March 3 to owners of record as of Feb. 6. Pfizer shares will become ex-dividend on Feb. 4.
PFE Dividend Yield: 3.51%

Roper Industries, Inc. (ROP) made its dividend image a little sharper with a 25% increase in its quarterly payment to 25 cents per share. The industrial equipment and components maker’s bumped-up dividend is payable Jan. 23 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 9. ROP shares will go ex-dividend on Jan. 7.
ROP Dividend Yield: 0.63%

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (WDR) increased the commission it pays out to shareholders by 26.5% to 43 cents per share. The investment management and underwriting firm will dole out its new dividend on Feb. 2 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 12. WDR stock will become ex-dividend on Jan. 8.
WDR Dividend Yield: 3.58%

Zoetis Inc (ZTS) increased its shareholder wellness by 15.3% to 83 cents per share. The veterinary medicine and vaccine maker’s new payment is set to arrive in shareholders’ kennels on March 3 to owners of record as of Jan. 22. The stock will go ex-dividend on Jan. 20.
ZTS Dividend Yield: 0.77%

As of this writing, Jim Woods did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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