Earnings season now is officially humming, with many big-name dividend stocks reporting over the past week. So far in this young quarter, there have been relatively few big earnings surprises — either to the upside or to the downside.
Still, last week there were several big dividend stocks increasing payouts, and moving to keep shareholders happy. This group of dividend stocks included a giant paper producer, a big financial and asset management firm and a big-name automotive services firm.
Here are eight dividend stocks increasing payouts.
Cantel Medical (CMN) upped its semi-annual dividend dose by a penny, or 20%, to 6 cents per share from 5 cents. The medical instrument maker’s new dividend is payable on Jan. 29 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 15. CMN shares become ex-dividend on Jan. 13.
CMN Dividend Yield: 0.21%
Cintas Corporation (CTAS) handed shareholders a crisp new dividend uniform, increasing its annual payment 23.5% to $1.05 per share from 85 cents. The corporate clothing and uniform firm will send its new payment on Dec. 4 to owners of record as of Nov. 6. CTAS becomes ex-dividend on Nov. 4.
CTAS Dividend Yield: 1.13%
Eaton Vance (EV) upped its quarterly payout by 6% to 26.5 cents per share from 25 cents. The financial services and asset management firm will make its new dividend payable Nov. 13 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 30. EV will become ex-dividend on Oct. 28.
EV Dividend Yield: 3.00%
International Paper (IP) rolled up a 10% larger dividend — up to 44 cents per share from 40 cents. The paper giant will make its newly enhanced dividend payable Dec. 15 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 16. IP shares will be ex-dividend on Nov. 12.
IP Dividend Yield: 4.21%
Omega HealthCare Investors (OHI) added a penny more vitality to its quarterly payout, or 1.8%, to 56 cents per share from 55 cents. The healthcare facilities REIT will make its new dividend payment on Nov. 16 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 2. OHI shares go ex-dividend on Oct. 29.
OHI Dividend Yield: 6.17%
Penske Automotive Group (PAG) added an additional 4.2% to its dividend horsepower, upping its payment a penny to 25 cents per share from 24. The operator of auto dealerships operator, auto and truck rental services and repair services will make the newly tuned payout on Dec. 1 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10. PAG shares go ex-dividend on Nov. 6.
PAG Dividend Yield: 1.97%
Universal Forest Products (UFPI) added an additional 5% to its semi-annual dividend payment to 42 cents per share, up from 40 cents. The lumber and wood production products firm will deliver its more robust dividend on Dec. 15 to shareholders of record on Dec. 1. UFPI shares will become ex-dividend on Nov. 27.
UFPI Dividend Yield: 1.18%
Western Refining, Inc. (WNR) distilled an 11.8% richer payment to shareholders of 38 cents per share from 34 cents. The oil and gas refining firm will make its bigger dividend payment on Nov. 12 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 27. WNR shares will be designated ex-dividend Oct. 23.
WNR Dividend Yield: 3.39%
As of this writing, Jim Woods did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
