It was the first real big earnings week for stocks in a while, and for the most part the data came in better than expected. Bank earnings such as Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) all beat expectations, and in the tech space we saw high-flier Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) spike on great subscriber metrics.
Stocks enjoyed gains through the first four trading days this week, but fears of a Greek default on the bailout loans from the Eurogroup ignited selling in overseas markets Friday. That selling spilled over to U.S. markets, sending the major averages down sharply.
All the action this week served as a mixed backdrop for many dividend stocks increasing payouts, including giants in the banking, auto and railroad industries.
Here are 10 dividend stocks increasing payouts.
Aon Plc (NYSE:AON) increased its quarterly dividend 20% to 30 cents per share from 25 cents. The insurance and risk management firm will send out its new dividend on May 15 to shareholders of record on May 1. AON shares become ex-dividend on Apr. 29.
AON Dividend Yield: 1.25%.
CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) sent a higher dividend down the tracks, boosting the power on its payout 12.5% to 18 cents per share from 16 cents. The railroad company will send its new dividend on June 15 to shareholders of record as of May 29. CSX shares go ex-dividend on May 27.
CSX Dividend Yield: 2.21%.
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE:ETH) has redecorated its fiscal lobby, upping its quarterly payout to shareholders 16.7% to 14 cents per share from 12 cents. The new dividend is payable July 24 to shareholders of record as of July 9. ETH stock will go ex-dividend on July 7.
ETH Dividend Yield: 2.23%.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) upped the fiscal horsepower it delivers to shareholders by 20% to 36 cents per share from 30 cents. The auto giant’s new dividend is payable June 23 to shareholders of record as of June 10. Shareholders must have GM stock in their portfolio garages by June 8 to qualify for the dividend.
GM Dividend Yield: 3.92%.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) moved to make an investment in its shares even more enticing, as the leading investment bank upped its dividend 8.3% to 65 cents per share from 60 cents. The new dividend will be paid June 29 to shareholders of record as of June 1. GS shares will go ex-dividend on May 28.
GS Dividend Yield: 1.32%.
Hospitality Properties Trust (NYSE:HPT) is a REIT that specializes in travel centers and truck stops. This week, the company rewarded shareholders with a penny increase (2%) to 50 cents per share from 49 cents. The new dividend is payable on May 21 to shareholders of record as of Apr. 24. Shares go ex-dividend on Apr. 22.
HPT Dividend Yield: 6.29%.
Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE:KMI) energized its quarterly payout, boosting its dividend 6.7% to 48 cents per share from 45 cents. The natural gas storage and transportation pipeline operator will make the new dividend payable on May 15 to shareholders of record as of Apr. 30. The stock will go ex-dividend on Apr. 28.
KMI Dividend Yield: 4.38%.
PPG Industries, Inc. (NYS:PPG) upped its quarterly dividend by 7.5% to 36 cents per share from 33.5 cents. The coatings and glass products firm will pay the new dividend on June 12 to shareholders of record as of May 11. Shares will go ex-dividend on May 7. PPG also announced a 2-for-1 stock split, which also will be carried out June 12.
PPG Dividend Yield: 1.27%.
Sonoco Products Co (NYSE:SON) boosted its quarterly payout 9.4% to 35 cents per share from 32 cents. The industrial and consumer packaging products maker will pay the newly wrapped dividend on June 10 to shareholders of record as of May 16. The shares become ex-dividend on May 13.
SON Dividend Yield: 3.17%.
Tallgrass Energy Partners LP (NYSE:TEP) transported a 7.2% higher distribution to shareholders of 52 cents per unit from 48.5 cents. The new payment will be delivered on May 14 to unitholders of record as of Apr. 24. The natural gas transport firm’s units will go ex-dividend on Apr. 22.
TEP Dividend Yield: 4.18%.
As of this writing, Jim Woods did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
