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Friday, September 14, 2012

6 Stocks Sending A Strong Message With Higher Dividends

One of the many reasons I like dividend stocks is because they provide continuous feedback. As time passes, dividend investors see their income grow steadily. You don’t have to wait five to ten years to determine if the strategy is working.

Each dividend and dividend increase provides reassurance that the strategy is working. When companies like 3M Company (MMM), Emerson Electric (EMR) and Dover Corp. (DOV) put together a string of consecutive dividend increases in excess of 50 years, they are sending a strong message to their shareholders.

Below are a few companies with not quite the legacy of those above, but nevertheless are providing positive feedback to their investors by with higher cash dividends:

The Kroger Co. (KR) is a supermarket operator, with over 2,400 stores in 31 states, and also operates convenience stores, jewelry stores, supermarket fuel centers and food processing plants. September 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 30% to $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable December 1, 2012 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

CapLease, Inc. (LSE) operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT), focused on financing and investing in commercial real estate that is net leased primarily to single tenants with investment grade or near investment grade credit ratings. September 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.07 per share. The dividend is payable October 15, 2012 to stockholders of record as of September 28, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.4%.

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) manufactures and sells cigarettes and other tobacco products. September 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.85 per share. The dividend is payable on October 11, 2012, to stockholders of record as of September 27, 2012. The ex-dividend date is September 25, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.

New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR), an energy services holding company, provides retail and wholesale energy services. September 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to to $0.40 per share. The dividend is payable October 1, 2012 to shareowners of record on September 24, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE), a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the ownership, operation, management, development, acquisition, and redevelopment of properties for the life sciences industry. September 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.9% to $0.53 per share. The dividend is payable on October 15, 2012, to shareholders of record on September 28, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. (EGP), a real estate investment trust (REIT), focuses on the development, acquisition, and operation of industrial properties in the United States. September 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.9% to $0.53 per share. The dividend is payable September 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on September 18, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.

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 MMM, EMR in my High-Yield Portfolio. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.

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