Monday, October 1, 2018

7 Companies Showing Confidence With Increased Dividends

A person’s character is determined by how they behave when no one else is looking and during difficult times. In much the same way, we can learn a lot about a company’s management when they face adversity. One metric I look at closely during a downturn is cash generation relative to earnings. The ability of a company to grow its dividend throughout the economic cycle is highly dependent on the management’s ability to generate cash in a downturn.

Below are several select companies with a management confident enough to increase their cash dividends:

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $2.20 per share. The dividend is payable Decemmber 28, 2018 to stockholders of record on December 3, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of November 30, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.6%.

American Express Company (AXP) provides charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.39 per share. The dividend is payable November 9, 2018 to stockholders of record on October 5, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of October 4, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.

Honeywell International Inc. (HON) operates as a diversified technology and manufacturing company worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.82 per share. The dividend is payable December 7, 2018 to stockholders of record on November 16, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of November 15, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.0%.

Accenture plc (ACN) provides consulting, technology, and outsourcing services worldwide. Recently the company increased its semi-annual dividend 9.8% to $1.46 per share. The dividend is payable November 15, 2018 to stockholders of record on October 18, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of October 17, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

U.S. Bancorp (USB), a financial services holding company, provides various financial services in the United States. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 23% to $0.37 per share. The dividend is payable October 15, 2018 to stockholders of record on September 28, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of September 27, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

Masco Corporation (MAS) designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products worldwide. Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable November 13, 2018 to stockholders of record on October 12, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of October 11, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Boston Properties (BXP) is a fully integrated real estate company, organized as a real estate investment trust, that develops, redevelops, acquires, manages, operates and owns a diverse portfolio of primarily Class A office space
Recently the company increased its quarterly dividend 19% to $0.95 per share. The dividend is payable October 31, 2018 to stockholders of record on September 28, 2018, with an ex-dividend date of September 27, 2018. The yield based on the new payout is 3.1%.

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.

Full Disclosure: Long LMT.

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Tags: LMT, AXP, HON, ACN, USB, MAS, BXP,
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