Friday, October 26, 2012

For Your Amusement, This Stock Just Increased Its Dividend 50%, Now Yields Over 6%

Angus Wynne, founded this family entertainment company in 1961. Mr. Wynne imagined regional parks large in scope but closer to where people live, making them convenient and affordable. Parks that featured innovative rides complemented by brilliant theme presentations became his formula for success. His ingenious use of themes turned the centuries-old amusement park idea into the theme parks.

Today, the company Mr. Wynne founded operates 19 theme, water and zoological parks across North America. They offer families and teens a complete one-stop diversified entertainment destination, with everything including thrill rides, water attractions, themed areas, children's areas, parades, concerts, shows, restaurants, games and merchandise outlets.

Has it succeeded? You bet! Just this last week on...

October 24th, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (SIX) increased its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.90 per share. The dividend is payable December 10, 2012 to shareholders of record as of November 27, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 6.3%.

Below are several other companies that have recently increased their cash dividends to shareholders:

Peoples Bancorp Inc. (PEBO) operates as the holding company for Peoples Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services. It offers commercial and retail banking, insurance, brokerage, and trust services. October 25th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable November 19, 2012, to common shareholders of record on November 5, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Simon Property Group, Inc. (SPG) is an independent equity real estate investment trust. October 25th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.8% to $1.10 per share. The dividend is payable November 30, 2012 to stockholders of record on November 16, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

National Penn Bancshares, Inc. (NPBC) operates as the bank holding company for National Penn Bank that provides commercial banking products and services to residents and businesses primarily in eastern and central Pennsylvania. October 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11.1% to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable November 16, 2012 to shareholders as of November 3, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.7%.

Tompkins Financial Corporation (TMP) operates as a community-based financial services company in New York. October 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.6% to $0.38 per share. The dividend is payable on November 15, 2012, to common shareholders of record on November 5, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.7%.

Aflac Incorporated (AFL) American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, provides supplemental health and life insurance. October 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.1% to $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on December 3, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 14, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

Middlesex Water Company (MSEX) owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. October 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.3% to $0.1875 per share. The dividend is payable on December 3, 2012 for shareholders of record as of November 15, 2012. This represents the 40th consecutive year that MSEX has raised the dividend on its common stock. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.

Access National Corporation (ANCX) operates as the bank holding company for Access National Bank. October 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08 per share. for holders of record as of November 07, 2012 and payable on November 23, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Met-Pro Corporation (MPR) manufactures and sells product recovery and pollution control equipment for the purification of air and liquids, fluid handling equipment, and filtration and purification products. October 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.1% to $0.0725 per share. The dividend is payable on December 17, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (BHB) operates as the holding company for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust that provides various banking products and services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities primarily in Hancock, Washington, and Knox counties. October 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.7% to $0.30 per share. The dividend is payable to all shareholders of record as of the close of business November 16, 2012 and will be paid on December 14, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) provides payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small to medium-sized businesses in the United States and Germany. October 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.1% to $0.33 per share. The dividend is payable November 15, 2012 to shareholders of record November 2, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.

Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ), an energy infrastructure company, focuses on connecting North America’s hydrocarbon resource plays to growing markets for natural gas and natural gas liquids. October 22nd the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 2% to $0.8075 per unit. The distribution is payable on Nov. 9, 2012, to unitholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 2. The yield based on the new payout is 6.0%.

StoneMor Partners L.P. (STON) engages in the ownership and operation of cemeteries in the southeast, northeast, and west regions of the United States. October 22nd the partnership increased its distribution 0.8% to $0.59 per unit. The distribution is payable on November 15, 2012, to unitholders of record as of the close of business on November 2, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 9.8%.

V.F. Corporation (VFC) designs and manufactures, or sources from independent contractors various apparel and footwear products primarily in the United States and Europe. October 22nd the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.87 per share. The dividend is payable December 20, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 10, 2012. This marks the 40th consecutive year of higher dividend payments to shareholders. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long AFL in my Dividend Growth Portfolio. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.

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(Photo Credit)

Tags: [SIX] [AFL] [PAYX] [VFC] [PEBO] [SPG] [NPBC] [TMP] [MSEX] [ANCX] [MPR] [BHB] [WPZ] [STON]