After a surprising outcome, the U.S. presidential election was the catalyst behind the S&P 500 Index‘s sharp increase this week. The best sectors were those that benefit from higher interest rates and stronger economic growth – financials and industrials.
Safe-haven sectors such as consumer staples and utilities lagged. However, companies from a number of different sectors showered shareholders with higher dividends.
Nine notable dividend stocks increased their payouts over the last week, including two technology hardware manufacturers, two software and services businesses, a gas utility company, and a regional theme park operator.
Here are nine dividend stocks increasing payouts.
The Dividend Stocks
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:HPE) moved its quarterly dividend higher by one cent, increasing it by 18% from 5.5 cents per share to 6.5 cents. The provider of technology software and services will pay its higher dividend to shareholders of record as of Dec. 14 on Jan. 4. HPE shares trade ex-dividend on Dec. 12.
HPE Dividend Yield: 1.1%
HP Inc (NYSE:HPQ) announced a 7% raise to its quarterly dividend, bringing its payout up from 12.4 cents per share to 13.27 cents. The manufacturer of personal computers and printers will send its higher dividends out on Jan. 4 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 14. HPQ shares will trade ex-dividend on Dec. 12.
HPQ Dividend Yield: 3.3%
Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to 57 cents per share from 53 cents. Shareholders of record as of Dec. 9 will receive dividends from the provider of software solutions and services used for payroll and other human resources functions on Jan. 1. The company’s shares will go ex-dividend on Dec. 7.
ADP Dividend Yield: 2.5%
WestRock Co (NYSE:WRK) raised its quarterly dividend by 7%, increasing it from 37.5 cents per share to 40 cents. The containerboard, paperboard and packaging manufacturer will pay its higher dividend to shareholders of record as of Nov. 21 on Nov. 30. WRK shares will trade ex-dividend on Nov. 17.
WRK Dividend Yield: 3.3%
D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI) grew its quarterly dividend from 8 cents per share to 10 cents, representing a nice boost of 25%. The homebuilding company will pay out its higher dividends to shareholders of record as of Nov. 28 on Dec. 12. DHI shares are expected to trade ex-dividend on Nov. 23.
DHI Dividend Yield: 1.4%
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MCHP) nudged up its quarterly dividend by less than 1%, raising it from 36 cents per share to 36.05 cents. Dividends will be paid from the semiconductor designer and manufacturer on Dec. 5 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 21. MCHP shares become ex-dividend on Nov. 17.
MCHP Dividend Yield: 2.3%
Six Flags Entertainment Corp (NYSE:SIX) hiked its quarterly dividend by 10%, raising its payment from 58 cents per share to 64 cents. Shareholders of record as of Dec. 1 will receive dividends from the theme and water park operator on Dec. 12. SIX shares will be ex-dividend on Nov. 29.
SIX Dividend Yield: 4.7%
Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) raised its quarterly dividend up from 42 cents per share to 45 cents, representing a 7% increase. The regulated natural gas utility will pay out its higher dividends to shareholders of record as of Nov. 28 on Dec. 12. ATO shares will trade ex-dividend on Nov. 23.
ATO Dividend Yield: 2.6%
BorgWarner Inc (NYSE:BWA) increased its quarterly dividend by 8%, raising its payment by a penny to 14 cents per share from 13 cents. The manufacturer of turbochargers, transmissions components and other automotive systems will pay shareholders of record as of Dec. 1 on Dec. 15. The stock’s shares trade ex-dividend on Nov. 29.
BWA Dividend Yield: 1.6%
As of the time of this writing, Simply Safe Dividends was long ADP.
