The final week of summer was somewhat quiet in the markets, and that also was true for the relatively small number of companies increasing dividends this week. Still, there were several big names increasing dividends and making shareholders happy before the Labor Day holiday.

One of the biggest companies boosting its payout this week was Canadian financial giant The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS). Better known as “Scotiabank,” the company upped its quarterly dividend to 66 cents per share from 64 cents, or a 3.125% increase. The new dividend will be paid on Oct. 29 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 7. Scotiabank shares will go ex-dividend Oct. 3.
BNS Dividend Yield: 3.66%.

Thousands of miles south of the Canadian provinces you’ll find Florida-based defense industry contractor Harris Corp. (HRS). The communications and IT firm sent out a 12% hike in its quarterly payout to 47 cents per share from 42 cents. The new dividend is payable Sept. 23 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 9. HRS shares will go ex-dividend on Sept. 5.
HRS Dividend Yield: 2.44%.

In addition to Scotiabank and Harris, there were six other companies that moved to boost shareholders’ spirits before the unofficial beginning of fall.

Diversified sporting goods firm Escalade (ESCA) upped its dividend game via a one-cent boost in its quarterly dividend payment to 10 cents per share from 9 cents. The 11.1% dividend increase will be paid on Sept. 21 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 14. ESCA shares go ex-dividend Sept. 10.
ESCA Dividend Yield: 2.81%

MB Financial, Inc. (MBFI) is the holding company for Chicago-based MB Financial Bank, a middle-market financial institution with strong business in the Midwest. This week, MB Financial gave back to its shareholders with a 16.7% dividend lift to 14 cents per share from 12 cents. The new payout is scheduled for Sept. 30 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 15. The stock will go ex-dividend on Sept. 11.
MBFI Dividend Yield: 1.99%

Old Line Bancshares, Inc. (OLBK), the parent company for regional financial firm Old Line Bank, announced it would deal out a 25% bigger dividend hand to 5 cents per share from 4 cents. The new payout will be sent on Sept. 26 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 12. Old Line share will become ex-dividend on Sept. 10.
OLBK Dividend Yield: 1.36%.

Raven Industries Inc. (RAVN) is a diversified industrial manufacturing company that makes products used in all sorts of fields, including agriculture, construction and even aerospace. This week, Raven flew an 8% dividend increase to shareholders, upping the payout to 13 cents per share from 12 cents. The new dividend will be paid on Oct. 24 to shareholders of record as of Oct 10. Raven shares will go ex-dividend Oct. 8.
RAVN Dividend Yield: 1.93%

Solera Holdings, Inc. (SLH) is a leading global provider of software to the automobile insurance claims industry. This week, the company processed a 14.7% increase in its payment to shareholders, upping its quarterly dividend to 19.5 cents per share from 17 cents. The enhanced shareholder claim will be paid Sept. 23 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 9. SLH goes ex-dividend on Sept. 5.
SLH Dividend Yield: 1.28%

Petrochemicals, polymers and building products maker Westlake Chemical Corp. (WLK) brewed up a new financial polymer to shareholders, upping its payout by nearly 31% to 16.5 cents per share from 12.6 cents. The new payout formula will be delivered on Sept. 19 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 5. WLK shares will go ex-dividend on Sept. 3.
WLK Dividend Yield: 0.68%

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