Volatility, selling, a rising U.S. dollar and especially those plunging oil prices have dominated the market landscape since the beginning of the year. Now, however, we are flying headlong into earnings season, and that means we also are likely to see a bevy of big dividend stocks increasing shareholder payouts.
This week, several high-profile dividend stocks moving to make shareholders happier, and one of the biggest came from the battered oil sector.
Texas-based oil and gas services firm Schlumberger Limited (SLB) reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings this week. The company said revenue climbed some 6.2% to a fat $12.64 billion while earnings per share came in at $1.50, 4 cents better than estimates calling for EPS of $1.46.
More importantly for investors concerned with dividend stocks increasing payouts, Schlumberger announced a 25% increase in its quarterly dividend to 50 cents per share from 40 cents. The new payout will be made April 10 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 11. SLB becomes ex-dividend on Feb. 9. The new dividend yield on SLB shares, based on the closing value on Jan. 15, is 2.61%.
Here are six other dividend stocks that have increased payouts of late.
BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) boosted its dividend nearly 13% to $2.18 per share from $1.93. The investment management firm will make the increased payout available on March 24 to owners of record as of March 6. BLK becomes ex-dividend on March 4.
BLK Dividend Yield: 2.55%
Core Laboratories N.V. (CLB) increased its dividend dose by 10% to 55 cents per share from 50 cents. The new dividend is payable Feb. 20 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 23. CLB goes ex-dividend on Jan. 21.
CLB Dividend Yield: 2.25%
Kaiser Aluminum Corp. (KALU) polished its balance sheet and declared a quarterly cash dividend increase of 14.3%, or a nickel per share, to 40 cents from the prior 35 cents. The metals manufacturer will payout the new dividend on Feb. 13 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 23. KALU becomes ex-dividend on Jan. 21.
KALU Dividend Yield: 2.26%
Oneok, Inc. (OKE) pumped up its dividend by 3% earlier this week, to 60.5 cents per share. The general partner of master limited partnership Oneok Partners, L.P. (OKS) will pay this latest dividend on Feb. 13., to shareholders of record as of Jan. 30. OKE stock goes ex-dividend on Jan. 28.
OKE Dividend Yield: 5.66%
And a couple leftovers from last week…
ADT Corp (ADT) sounded its dividend alarm with an increase of 5% to 21 cents per share from 20 cents. The electronic security equipment firm will pay its new dividend on Feb. 18 to shareholders of record as Jan. 28. ADT goes ex-dividend on Jan. 26.
ADT Dividend Yield: 2.51%
Zep, Inc. (ZEP) makes cleaning and chemical products, and recently the company cleaned up its quarterly payout by a penny, or 20%, to 6 cents per share from 5 cents. The shinier payment will be delivered on Feb. 2 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 16. ZEP went ex-dividend on Jan. 14. ZEP Dividend Yield: 1.64%
As of this writing, Jim Woods did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
