Monday, September 11, 2017

7 Stocks Making Their Investors Smile With Higher Dividends

At the end of each month I do an evaluation to determine which dividend stocks I will purchase in the following month. There is always a warm feeling of joy that comes over me when I buy one of my "favorite" dividend growth stocks. These are stocks that have earned a special place in my heart and they all have one thing in common - they consistently grow their dividends each year.

Below are several companies that made their investors smile this week with the promise of higher cash dividends:

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) provides communications, information and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses and governmental agencies. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.2% to $0.59 per share. The dividend is payable November 1, 2017 to stockholders of record on October 10, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of October 9, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.

BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) is a global resources company that is a producer of various commodities, including iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper and uranium. Recently the company increased its semi-annual dividend 7.5% to $0.86 per share. The dividend is payable September 26, 2017 to stockholders of record on September 8, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of September 7, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.

Anthem, Inc. (ANTM) is a health benefits company. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.70 per share. The dividend is payable September 25, 2017 to stockholders of record on September 8, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of September 7, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) is a cruise company that owns and operates three global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises (Global Brands). Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.60 per share. The dividend is payable October 11, 2017 to stockholders of record on September 22, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of September 21, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 2.0%.

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) is engaged in the ownership, operation, development, and franchising of the Chili's Grill & Bar (Chili's) and Maggiano's Little Italy (Maggiano's) restaurant brands. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.38 per share. The dividend is payable September 28, 2017 to stockholders of record on September 8, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of September 7, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 5.0%.

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania real estate investment trust (REIT). Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.6% to $0.63 per share. The dividend is payable September 22, 2017 to stockholders of record on September 8, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of September 7, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 6.6%.

Brady Corporation (BRC) is a manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.2% to $0.2075 per share. The dividend is payable October 31, 2017 to stockholders of record on October 10, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of October 9, 2017. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

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 VZ in my High-Yield Portfolio. See a list of all my Dividend Growth Portfolio holdings here.

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- 5 Stocks With a Sustainable Dividend
- Dividend Investing + Value Investing = Superior Returns
- The Dark Side of Dividends
- 7 Higher Yielders With A Low Free Cash Flow Payout
- The Will to Win

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Tags: VZ, BHP, ANTM, RCL, EAT, GLPI, BRC,