All eyes were on the Federal Reserve this week as investors braced for a possible interest rate hike. However, the Fed decided to keep rates unchanged and even moderated its plans for increases next year.
Most stock markets around the world responded favorably to this news and edged higher on the week. A number of dividend-paying stocks also showered shareholders with news of higher dividends.
Seven noteworthy dividend stocks increased their payouts over the last week, including two real estate investment trusts, one of the largest technology companies in the world, a major U.S. bank, and a well-known tire manufacturer.
Here are seven dividend stocks increasing payouts.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) raised its quarterly dividend by 8%, increasing it from 36 cents per share to 39 cents. The developer of software, services, and technology devices will pay its higher dividend to shareholders of record as of Nov. 17 on Dec. 8. MSFT shares are expected to trade ex-dividend on Nov. 15.
MSFT Dividend Yield: 2.71%
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) increased its quarterly dividend by 10% to 28 cents per share from 25.5 cents. Shareholders of record as of Sept. 30 will receive dividends from the large financial services provider on Oct. 17. The company’s shares go ex-dividend on Sept. 28.
USB Dividend Yield: 2.60%
American Tower Corp (NYSE:AMT) raised its quarterly dividend up from 53 cents per share to 55 cents, representing a 4% boost. American Tower is a REIT that owns towers used by network carriers to provide wireless services. The company will pay out its higher dividends to shareholders of record as of Sept. 30 on Oct. 17. AMT shares will trade ex-dividend on Sept. 28.
AMT Dividend Yield: 1.97%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co (NASDAQ:GT) increased its quarterly dividend by 43%, raising its payment to 10 cents per share from 7 cents. The tire manufacturer and distributor will pay shareholders of record as of Nov. 1 on Dec. 1. The stock’s shares trade ex-dividend on Oct. 28.
GT Dividend Yield: 1.24%
Ingredion Inc (NYSE:INGR) boosted its quarterly dividend by 11%, raising it from 45 cents per share to 50 cents. Dividends will be paid from the producer of starches, sweeteners, and other ingredients on Oct. 25 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 3. INGR shares become ex-dividend on Sept. 29.
INGR Dividend Yield: 1.53%
Lexington Realty Trust (NYSE:LXP) edged up its quarterly dividend by 3%, raising its payment from 17 cents per share to 17.5 cents. Shareholders of record as of Sept. 30 will receive dividends from the office and industrial REIT on Oct. 17. LXP shares will be ex-dividend on Sept. 28.
LXP Dividend Yield: 6.64%
InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC) announced a 50% raise to its quarterly dividend, bringing its payout up from 20 cents per share to 30 cents. The developer of wireless communications technologies will send its higher dividends out on Oct. 26 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 12. IDCC shares will trade ex-dividend on Oct. 7.
IDCC Dividend Yield: 1.52%
As of this writing, Simply Safe Dividends did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned stocks.
