An occasional note on dividends by Laura Franks. This is an informal collection of dividend increases for mostly U.S. stocks.
Bexley Public Radio hopes this is a positive note amidst the usual uncertainty of Wall Street and financial markets.
Commentary and analysis is sometimes offered in this informal journal.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL) Des Moines, IA, Nov. 26, 2009, declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.08 per share. The dividend will be paid on 18 December 2009 to all shareholders of record as of 4 December 2009.
American Equity writes annuity and life insurance products and stated that this is its eleventh consecutive year of dividend payout and sixth consecutive year of increased cash dividend.
Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX) FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Nov. 24, 2009, declared a quarterly dividend of 37 cents per common share, an increase from the previous quarter of 4 cents per share, or 12.1% The dividend will be payable on January 4, 2010 to holders of record on December 14, 2009. At the current rate, the annual dividend for fiscal 2010 would be $1.48 cents per share.
"For the 37th consecutive year, BD has increased our dividend," said Edward J. Ludwig, BD Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong generation of cash allows us to return significant dollars to our shareholders while maintaining and continuing to make strategic investments that will benefit BD's future. Our strategy is working, and our shareholders continue to benefit."
Becton Dickinson and Company is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public.
Curtiss-Wright Corp.s (NYSE: CW) Parsippany, NJ, Nov. 18, 2009, board has declared a dividend of eight cents per share on Curtiss-Wright common stock, payable December 10, 2009 to stockholders of record as of November 25, 2009. Curtiss-Wright designs, manufactures and overhauls products for motion control and flow control applications, and provides metal treatment services. The firm employs around 7,500 people worldwide.
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) Austin, MN, Nov. 27, 2009 said that its has boosted its quarterly dividend. Fourth quarter profit for the company jumped 53% from last year, helped by lower costs. The Austin, Minnesota-based company posted fiscal fourth quarter net income of $103.9 million, or 77 cents per share, compared with $67.8 million, or 50 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Sales fell 10% from last year, however, to $1.68 billion.
The Hormel board approved a 10.5% dividend increase. The new dividend will pay 84 cents per share annually, up from a prior level of 76 per share. The new quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share will be paid on Feb. 15 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 23.
McCormick (NYSE: MKC) Sparks, MD, Nov. 25, 2009 is the latest food-related issue to join party, announcing an 8.3% increase to its quarterly payout. The company will now pay 26 cents a share, up from 24 cents a share. This is the 24th consecutive year McCormick has boosted its payout and the company has been paying a dividend since 1925. The new dividend is payable on January 15 to shareholders of record on December 31.
McCormick makes spices and seasonings under a variety of labels, including the popular Lawry’s brand, which the company recently acquired from Unilever.
Oritani Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: ORIT) Township of Washington, NJ, Nov. 24, 2009, announced that it has approved a 50% increase in the rate of Oritani's quarterly cash dividend. The announcement was made at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders. The quarterly dividend amount increased from $0.05 per share to $0.075 per share of the Company's common stock. In conjunction with the announcement, the Company also announced the declaration of a dividend at the new rate. The dividend will be payable to stockholders of record as of December 7, 2009 and will be paid on December 21, 2009.
The Company is the majority-owned subsidiary of Oritani Financial Corp., MHC, a federal mutual holding company, which owns 74% percent of the Company's outstanding shares. Oritani Financial Corp., MHC intends to waive the receipt of dividends paid on its shares of the Company. Oritani Financial Corp., MHC, previously received a regulatory non-objection to the waiver of such dividends.
"Having only commenced our dividend program a few months ago, we are pleased to demonstrate our continued commitment to delivering shareholder value," said Kevin J. Lynch, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain confident in the strength and profitability of our franchise, even during these uncertain economic times. The 50% increase in the dividend rate is evidence of our belief. The Board and I feel the increased return to our shareholders is sustainable and appropriate."
Perrigo Company (Nasdaq: PRGO) Allegan, MI, Nov. 20. 2009 announced a quarterly dividend of $0.0625 per share, payable on December 15, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 27, 2009. The new quarterly dividend of $0.0625 per share represents a twelve percent increase over $0.055 per share paid in the last four quarters.
Perrigo Company, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and distributes over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), and medical diagnostic products worldwide.
RGC Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGCO ) Roanoke, VA, Nov. 24, 2009 declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share on the Company's common stock. The annual dividend is $1.32 per share, a $0.04 per share increase over prior level.
The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 13, 2009.
Yield on the dividend is 4.7%.
RGC Resources, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy services company.
Roper Industries Inc. (NYSE: ROP) Sarasota, FL Nov. 23, 3009 which makes products for water and energy companies, said Monday it has increased its quarterly cash dividend by 15 percent to 9.5 cents.
The dividend is payable Jan. 29, 2010, to stockholders of record as of Jan. 8.
South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) Folsom, NJ, Nov. 23, 2009 said Monday its board increased its quarterly dividend 11 percent to 33 cents from 29.75 cents. The dividend is payable Dec. 29, to shareholders of record as of Dec. 10.
United Bankshares Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) Charleston, WV, Nov. 23, 2009 boosted its quarterly dividend payment by a penny to 30 cents, as the bank holding company lifted its payout for the 36th consecutive year. United Bankshares is a bank holding company. The Bank has two banking subsidiaries, doing business under the name of United Bank, operating United Bank (WV) and United Bank (VA). The banks offer a range of commercial and retail banking services and products. United also owns non-bank subsidiaries, which engage in other community banking services, such as asset management, real property title insurance, investment banking, financial planning and brokerage services. United generally originates loans within the primary market area of its banking subsidiaries. United also makes loans to borrowers and/or on properties outside of its primary market area as an accommodation to its customers.
Westlake Chemical Corp. (NASDAQ: WLK) Houston, TX, Aug. 24, 2009, announced a dividend of 5.75 cents per quarter. The increase is 9.5 percent change in the quarterly dividend. Westlake is a vertically integrated manufacturer and marketer of basic chemicals, vinyls, polymers and fabricated products. It operates in two business segments: olefins and vinyls. It also has operations in China and a fabricated products plant in Yucca, Arizona.
The York Water Company (NASDAQ: YORW) York, PA, Nov. 24, 2009 increased the quarterly dividend from $0.126 per share to $0.128 per share, or $0.512 annualized.
The dividend is payable January 15, 2010 to shareholders as of record date December 31, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2009.
Yield on the dividend is 3.5%.
The York Water Company engages in impounding, purifying, and distributing drinking water in Pennsylvania. It owns two reservoirs, Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which together hold approximately 2.2 billion gallons of water.
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Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.
