The holidays are drawing near and even though it’s not quite time to open presents, that hasn’t stopped some dividend stocks from providing a little early holiday cheer.
This week’s batch of companies offering bigger and better dividends includes one of the premier semiconductor makers in the world, two high-profile real estate investment trusts, a stalwart electric power generator and a ubiquitous lubricant maker. These are the eight dividend stocks increasing payouts:
Broadcom Corporation (BRCM) gave Wall Street an update on Dec. 9 about its Q4 earnings guidance. Along with an increase in the wireless and broadband communications firm’s revenue estimates, the company also announced an increase in its dividend payment. Broadcom boosted its dividend by 17% to 14 cents per share up from 12 cents. There were no official dates provided for the increased payment, but the company said the new dividend would go into effect in the first quarter of 2015. Based on the closing price of the shares on Dec. 11, BRCM has a dividend yield of 1.31%.
Edison International (EIX) increased the power on its quarterly payout by 17.6% to 41.75 cents per share from 35.5 cents. The electric power generation firm will pay the higher voltage dividend on Jan. 31 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31. Shares go ex-dividend on Dec. 29. EIX Dividend Yield: 2.59%
Frontier Communications Corp (FTR) is a company that caters to the rural market, offering TV and broadband internet connections to customers in remote areas. The company boosted its quarterly dividend signal by 5% to 10.5 cents a share from 10 cents. No official dates were provided for the increased dividend payment. FTR Dividend Yield: 6.42%
Graco Inc. (GGG) makes equipment used by contractors and manufacturing firms. The company manufactured a 9.1% increase in its quarterly payout to 30 cents per share from 27.5 cents. The new dividend is payable on Feb. 4 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 20. Shares go ex-dividend on Jan. 15. GGG Dividend Yield: 1.52%
Omnicare, Inc. (OCR) is a pharmaceutical services firm. This week it increased the dosage on its quarterly dividend by 10% to 22 cents per share from 20 cents. The new payout will be injected into shareholder accounts Dec. 26 to owners of record as of Dec. 16. Shares go ex-dividend Dec. 12. OCR Dividend Yield: 1.24%
Ventas, Inc. (VTR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that operates senior housing and other properties. The company increased the rent it pays to shareholders by 9% to 79 cents per share from 72.5 cents. The enhanced payout will begin Dec. 31 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 22. Shares go ex-dividend Dec. 18. VTR Dividend Yield: 4.29%
WD-40 Company (WDFC) is the maker of the all-purpose lubricant used by nearly everyone for nearly every reason. The company greased its shareholders’ wheels with an 11.8% increased quarterly payout of 38 cents per share up from 34 cents. The new dividend is payable Jan. 30 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 5. Shares become ex-dividend on Dec. 31. WDFC Dividend Yield: 1.94%
W. P. Carey Inc (WPC) is a diversified REIT that also does deals in the long-term lease and build-to-suit financing market. The company elevated its quarterly dividend 1.1% to 95 cents per share up from 94. The new dividend is payable Jan. 15 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31. The stock goes ex-dividend on Dec. 29. WPC Dividend Yield: 5.47%
As of this writing, Jim Woods did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
