Friday, August 10, 2012

This Aristocrat Yields 5% and Has Increased Dividends For 40 Years

For 40 consecutive years Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (LEG) has not missed a dividend increase. August 8th the company continued its streak by increasing its quarterly divided 3.6% to $0.29 per share. The dividend is payable October 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on September 14, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.0%.

Below are several other companies increasing their cash dividends during the last week:

Briggs & Stratton Corporation (BGG) designs, manufactures, markets, and services air cooled gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment worldwide. August 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable October 1, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business August 20, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

Questar Corporation (STR) operates as an integrated natural gas company in the United States. August 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.17 per share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 10 to shareholders of record on Aug. 17. The yield based on the new payout is 3.3%.

Alterra Capital Holdings Limited (ALTE) provides specialty insurance and reinsurance products to corporations, public entities, and property and casualty insurers in North America, Europe, and internationally. August 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 14.3% to $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable on September 4, 2012, to shareholders of record as of August 21, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

Knoll, Inc. (KNL) designs, manufactures, and sells office furniture products and accessories in the United States, Canada, and Europe. August 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable September 28, 2012 to all shareholders of record on September 14, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (TNH) engages in the production and sale of nitrogen fertilizer products. August 6th the company increased its quarterly distribution to $4.21 per unit. The distribution is payable August 29, 2012, to holders of record as of August 17, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 7.2%.

SeaCube Container Leasing Ltd. (BOX) operates as a container leasing company worldwide. August 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.6% to $0.29 per share. The dividend is payable on September 14, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 7, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 6.4%.

LTC Properties, Inc. (LTC) operates as a health care real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. August 6th the company increased its monthly dividend 6.9% to $0.155 per share for the months of August and September 2012, payable on August 31 and September 28, 2012, respectively, to stockholders of record on August 23 and September 20, 2012, respectively. The yield based on the new payout is 5.3%.

National Health Investors, Inc. (NHI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), invests in health care properties, primarily in the long-term care industry in the United States. August 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.1% to $0.67 per share. The dividend is payable September 28, 2012 and payable on November 9, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.1%.

Crawford & Company (CRD-A) provides claims management solutions to risk management and insurance industry worldwide. August 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.04 per share. The dividend is payable on August 30, 2012, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 21, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) manufactures various industrial products and equipment worldwide. August 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.38 per share. The dividend is payable October 10, 2012 to stockholders of record as of September 28, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.

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 LEG, ITW in my Dividend Growth Portfolio and NHI in my High-Yield Portfolio. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.

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- 2011 Dividend Increases Nearly Doubled, and 7 Dividend Stocks that Led the Way
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