Drama in Greece, a big selloff in China and nation-changing rulings from the Supreme Court dominated the news last week. So much so that if you weren’t paying close enough attention, you probably missed the juicy dividend stock news coming from one of the world’s premier companies.
Entertainment juggernaut and Dow component Walt Disney (DIS) made a shift in its dividend payment policy, opting to begin paying its dividend semi-annually. Last week, the company said it would send shareholders two semi-annual payments of 66 cents per share.
The Magic Kingdom’s new dividend adds to an annual payout of $1.32 per share, a 14.8% rise over the $1.15 annual dividend Disney paid last year. The new, semi-annual dividend is payable July 29 to shareholders of record as of July 6. Disney shares go ex-dividend on July 1. Based on the new dividend, DIS has a dividend yield of 1.16%.
In addition to Disney’s dividend increase, last week brought us six other high-profile dividend stocks increasing payouts.
DTE Energy (DTE) turned up the electricity on its quarterly payout by 5.8%, increasing from 69 cents to 73 cents per share. The Detroit area utility will distribute the new payment on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 21. DTE shares go ex-dividend on Sept. 17.
DTE Dividend Yield: 3.88%
Harman International Industries (HAR) turned up the volume on its quarterly fiscal dial by 6.1%, from 33 cents to 35 cents per share. The high-end audio equipment and software firm’s new dividend will be effective in its new fiscal year, which begins July 1. The first quarterly payment is slated for September, although no official dates were provided.
HAR Dividend Yield: 1.10%
Herman Miller (MLHR) added 5.4% to its dividend furnishings, increasing from 14 cents to 14.75 cents per share. The office furniture and spatial design firm said its new dividend is payable in October; however, no official payment dates were announced.
MLHR Dividend Yield: 1.86%
Kroger (KR) is one of the premier supermarket and food retailers in the country, and last week it added a 13.5% bigger plate of dividends to shareholders that included a 2:1 stock split. The post-split dividend of 10.5 cents per share will be paid Sept. 9 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 14. The food giant’s shares will be ex-dividend Aug. 12.
KR Dividend Yield: 1.15%
Matson (MATX) delivered a 1-cent increase, or 5.9%, to 18 cents per share. The ocean transportation firm’s new dividend is scheduled to arrive Sept. 3 to shareholders of record as Aug. 6. Matson stock goes ex-dividend Aug. 4.
MATX Dividend Yield: 1.73%
Worthington Industries, Inc. (WOR) specializes in steel and iron production. Last week, the company hardened its payout by one penny to 19 cents per share from 18 cents. Worthington plans to deliver the new dividend Sept. 29 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 15. WOR shares become ex-dividend on Sept. 11.
WOR Dividend Yield: 2.46%
As of this writing, Jim Woods did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
