Laura Franks Dividend Note No. 21, February 28, 2010 for Bexley Public Radio.

This is a report on ninety eight companies that have increased dividends during February. It is an occasional note by Laura Franks.

This informal collection marks dividend increases for mostly U.S. stocks. This report includes some equities based outside the United States that do business in the United States.

Laura’s commentary and analysis is sometimes offered in this informal journal.

3M (NYSE: MMM), Feb 10, 2010, St. Paul, MN, a diversified technology company, has declared a dividend of USD0.525 per share on the company's common stock for the first quarter of 2010.

This dividend is a 3% increase over the quarterly dividend paid in 2009.

The increased dividend is payable on 12 March 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb 19, 2010.

3M said that this marks its 374th consecutive quarterly dividend and during the past five years it has returned over USD16.0bn to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

As of Dec 31, 2009 the company stated that it had 710,599,119 common shares outstanding and 111,523 shareholders of record.

3M makes Scotch tape and Post-it notes.


Abbott (NYSE: ABT) Feb 19, 2010 Abbott Park, IL, increased the company's quarterly common dividend 10 percent to 44 cents per share.

This marks the 38th consecutive year that Abbott has increased its dividend payout and the 345th consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid by Abbott since 1924. The cash dividend is payable May 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2010.

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 83,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

ACE Limited (OTC: ACE) Feb 25, 2010, Zurwich, announced today that the board will recommend to shareholders at the 2010 Annual General Meeting a 6.5% increase in the dollar-denominated dividend via par value reduction, to $1.32 ($0.33 per quarter), compared to $1.24 approved in 2009. The formula for determining the Swiss francs (CHF) amount for quarterly installments will be described in the company's Proxy Statement that will be distributed in advance of the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for May 19, 2010.

The Board of Directors also declared a quarterly dividend equal to $0.31 payable on April 12, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2010, subject to a required filing with the Swiss Commercial Register. Dividend payments will be made in U.S. dollars (USD) by the company's transfer agent. The company's par value is currently CHF 31.88 per share, and in connection with this dividend installment, the par value per share will be reduced on the record date by the CHF equivalent of $0.31 based on the USD/CHF rate published on March 26, 2010. This will be the fourth of four par value reduction installments as approved by the company's shareholders on May 20, 2009.

Celebrating 25 years of insuring progress, the ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited, the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries.

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) Feb 17, 2010 Baton Rouge, LA increased the regular quarterly dividend to $0.14 per share from $0.125, an increase of 12%. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2010. The new annualized dividend rate is $0.56 per share.

"We're proud to be able to increase our dividend for the sixteenth straight year, particularly in light of the economic downturn that we faced in 2009," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark C. Rohr. "This increase reflects the strength of our balance sheet and confidence in our ability to generate cash and deliver on the business opportunities in front of us."

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts, and Fine Chemicals. Albemarle employs over 4,100 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.

Altria Group, Inc., (NYSE: MO) Feb 24, 2010, Richmond, VA announced that its Board of Directors voted to increase the company's regular quarterly dividend by 2.9% to $0.35 per common share versus its previous quarterly dividend of $0.34 per common share. This increase is consistent with the previously announced change in the company's dividend payout ratio target from approximately 75% to approximately 80% of its adjusted diluted earnings per share, reflecting the company's intention to return a large amount of cash to shareholders in the form of dividends. The new annualized dividend rate is $1.40 per common share.

The quarterly dividend is payable on April 9, 2010, to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010.

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ ASEI) Feb 9, 2010, Billerica, MA, reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 ended December 31, 2009.

The Company reported revenues of $54,889,000 as compared with revenues of $65,290,000 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, net income of $5,819,000 as compared with net income of $10,059,000 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, and earnings per share of $0.64 as compared with earnings per share of $1.13 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009.
This represents a 16% decrease in revenues and a $0.49 decrease in earnings per share when compared to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. Bookings in the quarter were $91,332,000 resulting in a backlog of $223,870,000 as of December 31, 2009.

At a recent meeting, the Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock payable on March 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 22, 2010.

This dividend represents an increase of $0.10 per share over the last quarterly dividend declared, of $0.20 per share of common stock.

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection systems. With over 50 years of experience in developing advanced X-ray security systems, the Company's product line utilizes a combination of technologies, including patented Z Backscatter(TM) technology, Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD), high energy transmission and dual energy transmission X-ray.

These technologies offer superior X-ray threat detection for plastic explosives, plastic weapons, liquid explosives, dirty bombs and nuclear devices.

AS&E's complete range of products include cargo inspection systems for port and border security, baggage screening systems for facility and aviation security, and personnel and passenger screening systems.

AS&E systems protect high-threat facilities and help combat terrorism and trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling, and illegal immigration and people smuggling.

AS&E customers include leading government agencies, border authorities, military bases, airports and corporations worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), UK Border Agency (UKBA), Hong Kong Customs, and Abu Dhabi Customs.


AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFSI) Feb 16, 2010, New York, NY announced that its Board of Directors approved a seventeen percent increase in the common stock quarterly cash dividend, raising it from $0.06 to $0.07 per share of common stock.

The dividend will be payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of April 1, 2010.

"Today's announcement reflects our board's confidence in AmTrust's business model and ability to consistently grow earnings," said Barry Zyskind, chief executive officer of AmTrust. About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a multinational insurance holding company, which, through its insurance carriers, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile and general liability; extended service and warranty coverage.

The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) Feb 26, 2010, Maumee, OH announced a second quarter 2010 cash dividend of 9.0 cents ($0.09) payable April 22, 2010, to shareholders of record on April 1, 2010. This amount reflects an increase from the company's first quarter 2010 cash dividend of nearly three percent.

This is The Andersons' 54th consecutive quarterly cash dividend since its listing on the Nasdaq on February 20, 1996. There are approximately 18.3 million common shares outstanding.

The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company with interests in the grain, ethanol and plant nutrient sectors of U.S. agriculture, as well as in railcar leasing and repair, turf products production, and general merchandise retailing. Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, the company now has operations in 16 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, plus rail equipment leasing interests in Canada and Mexico.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU) Feb 17, 2010, Johannesburg, South Africa posts record fourth quarter profit and boosts dividend.

AngloGold Ashanti said it would increase its final dividend after fourth-quarter adjusted headline earnings rose to a record $228m on a higher gold price and increased production from Continental Africa and South America.

"There's a strong level of confidence in our ability to generate cash over the long term as we continue to make improvements to the operational side of our business," Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutifani said. "The increased dividend is a sign of that growing confidence."

The final dividend of 70 South African cents a share is 17% more than the interim dividend of 2009 and the total dividend declaration of 130 South African cents, a 30% improvement on 2008's final declaration. Adjusted headline earnings rose to $228m, or 62 US cents a share for the three months to December 31, compared with $162m, or 45 US cents in the previous quarter. The figure for the third quarter excludes the cost of buying back hedge contracts.


Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) Feb 4, 2010 Decatur, IL declared a cash dividend of 15 cents per share on the company's stock payable March 11, 2010, to stockholders of record February 18, 2010.

The dividend includes an increase of one cent a share.

This is ADM's 313th consecutive quarterly payment, a record of 78 years of uninterrupted dividends. As of December 31, 2009, there were 642,567,973 shares of ADM stock outstanding.

The company employs 28,000 people who turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more than 230 processing plants, ADM converts corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. ADM operate the world's premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries. ADM’s global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and its net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, were $69 billion.



Alberto Culver Company (NYSE: ACV) Feb 1, 2010, Melrose Park, IL,announced an increase in its dividend to be paid to shareholders. The company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of beauty care brands including TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives, Simple and Noxzema today announced growth in sales and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations.

Commenting on the results, Alberto Culver President and Chief Executive Officer V. James Marino said, "While the hair care category remains soft, trends are slowly beginning to improve and we continue to gain market share. Sales growth was particularly strong in our international segment, even with a very strong performance in the prior year quarter."

Ms. Bernick also announced the Company's board of directors increased the regular quarterly cash dividend by 13.3% to 8.5 cents per share. Ms. Bernick added, "We are happy to be in a position to reward our shareholders with another significant increase in our dividend." The dividend will be paid on February 23, 2010 to shareholders of record on February 11, 2010.



Aqua America Inc (NYSE: WTR ) Feb 2, 2010, Bryn Mawr, PA, a water and wastewater utility, announced a quarterly cash dividend of USD0.145 per share.
The dividend will be paid on March 1, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of February 16, 2010.
This dividend for March is 7.4% higher than the dividend the company paid in March 2009.

Aqua America, Inc. (Aqua America) is the holding company for regulated utilities providing water or wastewater services to approximately three million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Maine, Missouri and South Carolina. The Company’s largest operating subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc., accounted for approximately 53% of its operating revenues during the year ended December 31, 2008, and as of December 31, 2008, provided water or wastewater services to approximately one-half of the total number of people it serves, and is located in the suburban areas north and west of the City of Philadelphia and in 24 other counties in Pennsylvania. Aqua America’s other subsidiaries provide similar services in 12 other states. In addition, it provides water and wastewater services through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties.


Arrow Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: AROW) Feb 16, 2010, Glens Falls, NY declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.25 per share payable March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record March 3, 2010.

This represents an increase of 3% over the cash dividend paid in the first quarter of 2009, as a result of the September 29, 2009 3% stock dividend.

Arrow Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, NY serving northeastern New York. Arrow is the parent of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. Other subsidiaries include North Country Investment Advisers, Inc. and Capital Financial Group, Inc., an insurance agency specializing in the sale and servicing of group health plans.



Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (Nasdaq:AUBN) Feb 9, 2010, Auburn, AL declared a first quarter $0.195 per share cash dividend, payable March 25, 2010 to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2010.

This represents a 3% increase over dividends declared for the first quarter of 2009. On an annual basis, the cash dividend paid to shareholders has increased in 14 of the last 15 years.

Auburn National Bancorporation is the parent company of AuburnBank with total assets of approximately $775 million. The bank is an Alabama state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has operated continuously since 1907. The bank conducts its business in East Alabama, including Lee County and surrounding areas. The Bank operates full-service branches in Auburn, Opelika, Hurtsboro and Notasulga, Alabama. In-store branches are located in the Auburn and Opelika Kroger stores, as well as in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter stores in Auburn, Opelika, and Phenix City, Alabama. Mortgage loan offices are located in Phenix City, Valley, and Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) Feb 9, 2010, New York, NY today announced a 5% increase in its regular quarterly dividend. The new dividend rate will be $.22 per common share, up from $.21 per share, beginning with the first-quarter dividend payable March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record February 23, 2010.

On an annualized basis, the new indicated dividend rate would increase to $.88 per share from $.84 per share.

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6.2 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark.


Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE: BMS) Feb 4, 2010 Neenah, WI, has approved a 2.2 percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend, increasing it to 23.0 cents per share compared to the previous quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share. The cash dividend is payable on March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 16, 2010. This marks the 27th consecutive year that the Company has increased its dividend payment. Bemis has been paying an annual dividend on its stock since 1922.

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) Feb 25, 2010, New York, announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.00 per share of common stock, increasing the dividend $0.22 per share, or 28%, from the prior quarter's dividend of $0.78 per share. The dividend is payable March 23, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2010.

"Today's dividend increase demonstrates the power of our business model and reflects BlackRock's enhanced financial and strategic position since closing our merger with Barclays Global Investors in December 2009," stated Laurence D. Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The Board of Directors reviews BlackRock's dividend policy annually at its regularly scheduled first quarter meeting.
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At December 31, 2009, BlackRock's AUM was $3.346 trillion. BlackRock offers products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients' needs, including active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes. Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares(R) (exchange traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions(R). Headquartered in New York City, as of December 31, 2009, the firm has approximately 8,500 full-time employees in 24 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa

Calian Technologies Ltd. (TSX: CTY) Feb 3, 2010, Ottawa, Ontario announced an increase to its quarterly dividend and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable March 3, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 17, 2010. Dividends paid by the Corporation are considered "eligible dividend" for tax purposes.

Calian sells technology services to industry and government in Canada and around the world.

Calian provides customers with ready access to an exceptional team of engineers, telecommunications and technology professionals, health care professionals and other highly qualified staff. The Business and Technology Services Division augments customer workforces with flexible short and long-term placements, recruitment and outsourcing of engineering, health care professionals and other skilled professionals. The Systems Engineering Division plans, designs and implements solutions for many of the world's space agencies and leading communications satellite manufacturers and operators, as well as providing contract manufacturing services for customers in North America.

CenturyLink (CenturyTel, Inc.) (NYSE: CTL) Feb 25, 2010, Monroe, LA announced that its Board of Directors voted to declare a quarterly cash dividend of $.725 per share, representing a 3.6% increase over the previous $.70 per share quarterly dividend. The $.725 per share is payable on March 22, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2010.

"CenturyLink has a long history of increasing dividend payments to shareholders and we are pleased that our strong operating performance and solid credit profile enable us to announce this 3.6% dividend increase," said Glen F. Post, III, chief executive officer and president.

CenturyLink is a leading provider of high-quality voice, broadband and video services over its advanced communications networks to consumers and businesses in 33 states.


The Chubb Corporation (NYSE: CB) Feb 24, 2010, Warren, NJ, declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.37 per share payable April 6, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 19, 2010. This represents an increase of $0.02 per share or a 5.7% increase over the $0.35 dividend paid last quarter.

Cimarex Energy Co (NYSE: XEC ) Feb 26, 2010, Denver, CO, an oil and gas company, declared on Thursday a regular cash dividend of USD0.08 per share on its common stock.

This quarterly dividend was raised from the previous dividend of USD0.06 per share.

The increased dividend will be paid on 1 June 2010 to stockholders of record as of 14 May 2010.

Cimarex Energy Co. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. The company’s operations are mainly located in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Louisiana and Wyoming. As of December 31, 2008, proved oil and gas reserves totaled 1.3 trillion cubic feet equivalent (Tcfe), consisting of 1.1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 45.2 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. Of total proved reserves, 80% are gas and 82% are classified as proved developed. During the year ended December 31, 2008, production averaged 485.8 million cubic feet equivalent (MMcfe) per day, consisting of 348.2 million cubic feet (MMcf) of gas per day and 22,937 barrels of oil per day. The Company operates the wells that account for 83% of its total proved reserves and approximately 81% of production.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) Feb 18, 2010, Atlanta, GA approved the Company's 48th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend approximately 7 percent from 41 cents to 44 cents per common share. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.76 per share, up from $1.64 per share in 2009. The first quarterly dividend is payable April 1, 2010, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2010.

The increase reflects the Board's confidence in the Company's long-term cash flow. The Company returned $5.3 billion to shareowners in 2009, through $3.8 billion in dividends and $1.5 billion in share repurchases.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 14 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.


Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) Feb 16, 2010, Atlanta, GA increased the company's regular quarterly dividend 121/2 percent to 9 cents per common share. The quarterly dividend rate is equivalent to an annual dividend of 36 cents per common share. The dividend is payable March 25, 2010 to shareowners of record on March 12, 2010.

"This is a demonstration of our stated commitment to increase returns of cash to shareowners," said John F. Brock, chairman and chief executive officer. "This increase reflects our Board's confidence in our long-term cash flow and represents a 50 percent increase in our annualized dividend since 2006."

Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world's largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottle and can liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. CCE sells approximately 80 percent of The Coca-Cola Company's bottle and can volume in North America and is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, and the Netherlands.


Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) Feb 5, 2010, St. Louis, MO declared a quarterly dividend of $0.235 per share on the company's common stock, which compares to the prior dividend of $0.229 as adjusted for the 5 percent stock dividend that was paid on December 15, 2009.

This represents an increase in the quarterly dividend per share of 2.8% and marks the 42nd consecutive year that the company has increased total dividends per adjusted shares. The dividend is payable on March 26, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2010.

Commerce Bancshares Inc. is an $18.1 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 140 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management, financial planning, and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce operates in the Midwest, primarily in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado, with more than 370 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.


Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) Feb 4, 2010, New York, NY, increased the ongoing quarterly common stock cash dividend by 20%. The increase will be effective as of the second quarter, 2010. The new rate of $.53 per share is up from $.44.
The Board declared that the second quarter dividend is to be paid on May 14,
2010 to shareholders of record as of April 26, 2010. On an annual basis, the new dividend rate is $2.03 vs. $1.72 per share previously.

The Company has paid uninterrupted dividends on its common stock since 1895.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (Colgate) is a consumer products company whose products are marketed in over 200 countries and territories globally. The Company operates its business through two product segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care, and Pet Nutrition. Colgate’s Oral Care products include Colgate Total and Colgate Max Fresh toothpastes, Colgate 360° manual toothbrushes, and Colgate and Colgate Plax oral rinses. Colgate’s Personal Care products include Palmolive and Softsoap brand shower gels; Palmolive, Irish Spring and Protex bar soaps and Speed Stick and Lady Speed Stick deodorants and antiperspirants. Colgate manufactures and markets a range of products for Home Care, including Palmolive and Ajax dishwashing liquids, Fabuloso and Ajax household cleaners, and Murphy’s Oil Soap. Colgate, through its Hill’s Pet Nutrition segment, offers specialty pet nutrition products for dogs and cats with products marketed in over 90 countries globally.


Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP ) Feb 8, 2010 Overland Park, KS has raised the company's quarterly dividend by 10 percent to $0.39 per share effective with its dividend payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 1, 2010.

"Compass Minerals and its board of directors are committed to strategically deploying the company's cash flow so that it generates strong, sustainable value for shareholders," said Angelo Brisimitzakis, Compass Minerals president and CEO. "We are pleased that the company's solid earnings and cash-flow characteristics allow us to provide shareholders with a substantial dividend increase while also investing in the company's advantaged assets for long-term, profitable growth."

Based in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Compass Minerals is a leading producer of minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash specialty fertilizer and magnesium chloride. The company provides highway deicing salt to customers in North America and the United Kingdom and specialty fertilizer to growers worldwide. Compass Minerals also produces consumer deicing and water conditioning products, ingredients used in consumer and commercial foods, and other mineral-based products for consumer, agricultural and industrial applications. Compass Minerals also provides records management services to businesses throughout the U.K.


Cooper Industries plc (NYSE:CBE) Feb 16, 2010, Dublin, Ireland announced an increase in dividends from $1.00 to $1.08 per share on an annual basis, approved on February 15 by its Board of Directors. The first quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share will be paid on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2010.
“This dividend increase signals our confidence in Cooper’s cash generation ability in both expanding and declining economies. This 8% increase follows a 19% increase to the dividend in 2008, after electing to maintain the dividend in 2009 due to the uncertainty in the global economy.”

“Cooper is committed to increasing shareholder value by investing in its core businesses, repurchasing shares in the open markets and paying a competitive dividend,” said Cooper Industries Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian. “This dividend increase signals our confidence in Cooper’s cash generation ability in both expanding and declining economies. This 8% increase follows a 19% increase to the dividend in 2008, after electing to maintain the dividend in 2009 due to the uncertainty in the global economy.”

Cooper’s total shareholder returns including the dividend payment have been 7% on a five-year and 11% on a ten-year compound annual basis as of the end of 2009.

Cooper Industries plc is a global manufacturer with 2009 revenues of $5.1 billion, approximately eighty-nine percent of which are from electrical products. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained level of success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards, and meeting customer needs. The Company has eight operating divisions with leading market share positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. In 2009, sixty-one percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and thirty-nine percent of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2009.


Crown Crafts, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWS) Feb 10, 2010, Gonzales, LA reported net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended December 27, 2009. The Company also announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share on its common stock, which is the first dividend declared by the Company since 1999.

Net income for the quarter was $1.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, on net sales of $20.6 million, compared to a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 of $8.2 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, on net sales of $19.3 million. The net loss for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 included a non-cash charge of $9.0 million for an estimate of a probable impairment to goodwill. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge, the Company would have reported net income of $822,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009.

Also Crown Crafts announced that its Board of Directors, at its meeting on February 9, 2010, declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company's Series A common stock of $0.02 per share to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2010 and payable on April 2, 2010. In announcing the first dividend declared by the Company since 1999, which will provide an annualized yield of 2.9% based on yesterday's closing price of $2.77 per share, Mr. Chestnut stated, "Over the years, we have employed several strategies to provide value to our stockholders, including the repayment of debt, the cancellation of warrants held by our lenders, targeted acquisitions and share repurchases. A program of regular quarterly cash dividends will provide immediate value to our stockholders and demonstrates our continued confidence in the Company's earnings capacity and the strength of its balance sheet, even in a challenging economic environment. We do not expect that paying quarterly cash dividends will preclude the Company from pursuing other strategic alternatives as well, and we are pleased to be in a position to further share the Company's success with its owners."

Crown Crafts, Inc. designs, markets and distributes infant and toddler consumer products, including bedding, blankets, bibs, bath items and the recently-acquired portfolio of the mess protection products of Neat Solutions. Its operating subsidiaries include Hamco, Inc. in Louisiana and Crown Crafts Infant Products, Inc. in California. Crown Crafts is America's largest distributor of infant bedding, bibs and bath items. The Company's products include licensed and branded collections as well as exclusive private label programs for certain of its customers.


CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) Feb 10, 2010, Jacksonville, FL approved a 9 percent increase in the quarterly dividend on the company's common stock to $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2010.

"This dividend increase underscores the strength of our company. CSX remains committed to returning cash to shareholders while maintaining the significant levels of investment required to meet customer needs well into the future," said Michael J. Ward, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a leading transportation company providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports.


Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE: DBD) Feb 11, 2010, North Canton, OH declared a first-quarter cash dividend of 27 cents per share on all common shares. The dividend is payable on Monday, March 8, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Monday, Feb. 22. The new cash dividend, which represents $1.08 per share on an annual basis, is an increase of 3.8 percent over the cash dividend paid in 2009 and marks the company's 57th consecutive annual increase.

Diebold, Incorporated is a global leader in providing integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services. Diebold employs more than 16,000 associates with representation in nearly 90 countries worldwide and is headquartered in Canton, Ohio, USA.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), Feb 23, 2010, San Francisco, CA a leading owner and manager of corporate and Internet gateway datacenters, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized quarterly common and preferred stock dividends for the first quarter of 2010.

"We are increasing the quarterly common stock dividend by 7.0% to $0.48 per share, for the third consecutive quarter, in anticipation of increased REIT taxable income and distribution requirements for 2010," commented A. William Stein, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty Trust. "Combined with the third quarter 2009 increase of 9% and the fourth quarter 2009 increase of 25%, we have increased our dividend by 45% over the past seven months. This is a direct result of our growing cash flow."

Digital Realty Trust's Board of Directors authorized a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.48 per share to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2010. This represents an increase of $0.03 per share, or 7.0%, over the Company's previous quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share. The common stock dividend will be paid on March 31, 2010.


Donaldson Co. (NYSE: DCI) Feb 24, Minneapolis, MN said its board increased its quarterly dividend by 4 percent, to 12 cents.

The filtration systems maker said the dividend is payable March 19 to shareholders of record as of March 5.
Donaldson shares closed Wednesday trading up 49 cents to $41.31.


Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB) Feb 3, 2010, Calgary, Alberta, raised its dividend by 15 per cent after reporting fourth quarter profit rose 14 per cent to $300 million, or 80 cents a share, driven by strong results from its liquids pipelines business.

The company also raised its guidance for 2010, predicting adjusted earnings of $2.50 to $2.70 per share.
Fourth quarter adjusted earnings, which exclude one-time items and charges, increased 18 per cent to $239 million, or 64 cents a share, matching analysts' forecasts.

For the year, the company reported its best results ever, with profit in 2009 rising 18 per cent to $1.55 billion, or $4.27 a common share. On an adjusted basis, earnings for the full year rose 26 per cent to $855 million, or $2.35 a common share.
"From the strong base we've achieved in 2009, we are confident in delivering continued growth of 10 per cent per year on average into the second half of the decade," said chief executive officer Patrick Daniel. The company said it will increase its dividend to $0.425 per common share effective March 1, 2010. The shares currently yield 3.6 per cent, according to Bloomberg data.

The company confirmed that the $3.3-billion Alberta Clipper pipeline, a 450,000 barrel per day expansion of its main line to the United States heartland, is on budget and will be in operation as of April 1, three months ahead of schedule.

Future growth however, will stem more from opportunities in green energy and natural gas, the company said. In 2009, the company said, it brought its 190-megawatt Ontario Wind Power project into full commercial operation. It also completed construction and testing of the first phase of the 20-megawatt, $100-million Sarnia Solar Energy Project. Enbridge said it is moving ahead with a $300-million expansion of the Sarnia facility to add another 60 megawatts of capacity this year, making it it one of the largest photovoltaic solar energy facilities in North America.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) Feb 9, 2010, Houston, TX announced that fourth-quarter profit fell 13% on higher expenses, including soaring marketing costs.

The oil and natural-gas producer also said it will raise its quarterly dividend by 6.9% to 15.5 cents a share, increasing the company's annual payout by $10.1 million.

EOG Resources's fourth-quarter earnings fell to $400.4 million, or $1.58 per share, in the last three months of 2009 from $461.5 million, or $1.84 per share, in the year earlier period. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings amounted to 92 cents per share, versus street estimates of between 94 cents and 98 cents.

The only good news for investors was that EOG Resources announced it would increase its quarterly dividend to 15.5 cents per share, a 7% increase, for an annual dividend payout of 62 cents.

Essex Property Trust, Inc., (NYSE: ESS) Feb 24, 2010, Palo Alto, CA a real estate investment trust (REIT) with apartment communities located in targeted West Coast markets, announced that its Board of Directors has approved a $0.01 per share annualized increase to its regular cash dividend. Accordingly, the first quarter dividend distribution, payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2010, will be $1.0325 per share. On an annualized basis, the dividend represents a distribution of $4.13 per common share.

The Board of Directors declared quarterly distributions of $0.48828 and $0.30469 per share, which represent annual distributions of $1.9531 and $1.2188 per share, on its 7.8125% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred shares and its 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred shares, respectively. Distributions for the 7.8125% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred shares are payable on June 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of May 14, 2010. Distributions for the 4.875% Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred shares are payable on April 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of April 1, 2010.

Essex Property Trust, Inc., located in Palo Alto, California, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast communities. Essex currently has ownership interests in 133 multifamily properties (27,248 units), and has 581 units in various stages of development.


EXCO Resources, Inc. (NYSE: XCO) Feb 22, 2010, Dallas, TX, announced that its Board of Directors declared a first quarter cash dividend of $0.03 per share, a $0.005 per share (20%) increase from the previous quarterly rate of $0.025 per share. The dividend is payable on March 19, 2010 to holders of record on March 5, 2010.
Douglas H. Miller, EXCO's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to be in a position to increase our quarterly cash dividend. This increase is consistent with our overall goal of maximizing shareholder value."

Any future declaration of dividends, as well as the establishment of record and payment dates, is subject to the approval of EXCO's Board of Directors.

EXCO Resources, Inc. is an oil and natural gas exploration, exploitation, development and production company headquartered in Dallas, Texas with principal operations in East Texas, North Louisiana, Appalachia and West Texas.

Exco Technologies Limited (TSX-XTC) Jan 27, 2010 Toronto announced that a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share will be paid March 31, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 17, 2010. The dividend is an "eligible dividend" in accordance with the Income Tax Act of Canada. This dividend represents a quarterly increase of $0.0025 or a 1 cent increase per share on an annualized basis from 7 cents per share to 8 cents per share.
Exco Technologies Limited is a global supplier of innovative technologies servicing the die-cast, extrusion and automotive industries. Through our 10 strategic locations, we employ 1,400 people and service a diverse and broad customer base.


Flowserve Corp. (NYSE: FLS) Feb 24, 2010, Irving, TX,, announced that its board of directors has authorized an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.29 per share. The quarterly dividend increased from $0.27 per share, or 7.4%, over the previous quarterly rate.

The company’s board also declared a cash dividend at the $0.29 per share rate which is payable on April 7, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 24, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 22.

The dividend yield is based on the new payout is 1.2%.

Fred's, Inc. (FRED 10.35, -0.06, -0.58%) (NASDAQ: FRED) Feb 25, 2010, Memphis, TN announced that its Board of Directors has increased the Company's quarterly cash dividend 33% to $0.04 per share from the previous rate of $0.03 per share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2010.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael J. Hayes, Chairman, said, "We are pleased to be in a position to increase our dividend again, with this being the second consecutive year in which we have done so. With a strong balance sheet and solid cash flow, we welcome this opportunity to allow our shareholders to participate in our progress in a direct and tangible way."
Fred's Inc. operates 669 discount general merchandise stores, including 24 franchised Fred's stores in the southeastern United States. For more information about the Company, visit Fred's Website at www.fredsinc.com.

The Gap, Inc. (NYSE: GPS) Feb 25, 2010 San Francisco, CA announced that its Board of Directors plans to increase the annual dividend for fiscal year 2010 by 18% and authorized an additional $1 billion in share repurchases. The Company intends to increase the annual dividend per share from $0.34 to $0.40 for fiscal year 2010. The Board of Directors declared the first quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share payable on April 28, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2010. Additional quarterly dividends are expected to be paid in July, October and January.

The Gap, Inc. is a global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta brands. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Japan. It also has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Gap and Banana Republic stores in many other countries worldwide. Under these agreements, third parties operate or will operate stores that sell apparel, purchased from the Company, under its brand names. On September 28, 2008, the Company acquired Athleta, Inc. (Athleta), a women’s sports and active apparel company.


Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) Feb 15, 2010, Atlanta, GA, declared an increase of 3% in the regular quarterly cash dividend for 2010.

The Board increased the cash dividend payable to an annual rate of $1.64 per share compared with the previous dividend of $1.60 per share. The quarterly cash dividend of forty-one cents ($.41) per share is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record March 5, 2010. GPC has paid a cash dividend every year since going public in 1948 and 2010 marks the 54th consecutive year of increased dividends paid to shareholders.

Genuine Parts Company is a distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Company also distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S. and in Canada through its Motion Industries subsidiary. S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes business products nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.


Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) Feb 4, 2010, Pawtucket, RI announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share, an increase of $0.05 per share or 25% from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share. The dividend will be payable on May 17, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 3, 2010.

"The Board's decision to increase the dividend reflects the financial strength and long-term cash flow potential we are unlocking through the execution of Hasbro's global brand strategy," said Brian Goldner, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Hasbro's ability to continue investing in our business while also returning cash to shareholders, through both our dividend and share buyback programs, is indicative of the company's solid financial position and long-term prospects."

Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST.


HCP (NYSE: HCP) Feb 1, 2010, Long Beach, CA, announced that the Board of Directors declared an increase to the quarterly cash dividend from $0.46 to $0.465 per common share, which represents an annual increase of $0.02 per share. The dividend will be paid on February 23, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2010.

For the full year 2010, HCP expects FFO applicable to common shares to range between $2.11 and $2.17 per diluted share and net income applicable to common shares to range between $0.98 and $1.04 per diluted share.

HCP, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, invests primarily in real estate serving the healthcare industry in the United States. As of December 31, 2009 the Company's portfolio of investments, including properties owned by our Investment Management Platform, consisted of interests in 675 facilities among the following segments: 256 senior housing, 98 life science, 251 medical office, 22 hospital and 48 skilled nursing, and $1.8 billion of mezzanine and other secured loan investments.

Hershey (NYSE: HSY), Feb 2, 2010, Hershey, PA, the nation's second-biggest candy maker, said that its fourth-quarter profit climbed on price increases and lower charges as it continued to push its brands to cost-conscious consumers and gain market share.

The company also maintained its 2010 adjusted earnings and sales forecasts while boosting its quarterly dividend.

Hershey recently said it would not bid for British rival Cadbury. Cadbury shareholders are expected to vote on Kraft Foods' $19.5 billion offer Tuesday.

Hershey's earnings rose 54% to $126.8 million, or 55 cents a share, for the period ended Dec. 31.
West said the candymaker will launch its Hershey's Bliss white chocolate during the first half of the year, and continue to expand its Pieces product line to include Hershey's Special Dark, Almond Joy and York.

The company expects to boost ad spending 25% to 30% to promote brands such as Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Bliss, Twizzlers, Kit Kat and its namesake. New ad campaigns are also planned for Almond Joy, Mounds and York.

Hershey said its earnings, combined with improved working capital and higher operating cash flow, led it to raise its quarterly dividend 2.25 cents to 32 cents. The dividend will be paid March 15 to shareholders of record Feb. 25.


Home Depot Inc., (NYSE: HD) Feb 23, 2010, Atlanta, GA, reported a fourth-quarter profit that topped analysts’ estimates and raised its dividend for the first time since 2006.

Net income totaled $342 million, or 20 cents a share, in the three months ended Jan. 31, compared with a loss of $54 million, or 3 cents, a year earlier. Sales in stores open more than 12 months rose 1.2 percent on gains in Canada and Mexico as well as in kitchen, bath, paint, flooring and plumbing.

The company raised its quarterly dividend by 5 percent to 23.625 cents a share, payable March 25 to shareholders of record as of March 11.

Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUB.A) Feb 12, 2010, Orange, CT (HUB.B 46.67, 0.00, 0.00%) reported that its Board of Directors declared an increase in the common stock dividend. The new annual payment of $1.44 per share, or $.36 per quarter, compares to the former annual dividend payment of $1.40, or $.35 per quarter.
The increased quarterly dividend will be paid on April 9, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2010.

"I am pleased to announce a dividend increase to benefit our shareholders. The increase is reflective of the confidence we have in the positioning of the Company and the outlook for a slowly recovering economy," said Timothy H. Powers, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Hubbell Incorporated is an international manufacturer of quality electrical and electronic products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction, industrial and utility applications. With 2009 revenues of $2.4 billion, Hubbell Incorporated operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the People's Republic of China, Italy, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. Hubbell also participates in joint ventures in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and maintains sales offices in Singapore, the People's Republic of China, Mexico, South Korea, and the Middle East. The corporate headquarters is located in Orange, CT.


Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (Nasdaq: IPCC) Feb 9, 2010, Birmingham, AL, announced that it declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share of Infinity Property and Casualty Common Stock. The annual rate of $0.56 per share represents a 16.7% increase over the dividend paid in 2009. The dividend is payable on March 26, 2010 to holders of record on March 12, 2010.

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation is a national provider of personal automobile insurance with a concentration on nonstandard auto insurance. Its products are offered through a network of approximately 12,600 independent agencies and brokers.

Intact Financial Corp (TSE: IFC) Feb 17, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, posted a fourth-quarter profit, helped by strong underwriting performance in personal insurance, and increased quarterly dividend by about 6 percent, sending its shares to a 52-week high.

"In automobile insurance, we expect the rates will continue to rise in Ontario until the reforms, as the costs keeps increasing... while we expect premiums and other costs to be stable in other jurisdictions," Chief Executive Charles Brindamour said on a conference call.

Intact, which rebranded itself after being spun off by its Dutch parent ING Groep NV (ING.AS) last year, however, warned that unpredictability of weather patterns and the high cost of medical claims in Ontario may continue to impact the industry's performance in the short term.

The CEO also said that he expects the pricing environment in commercial lines will improve in number of regions as well as unprofitable segments in 2010.
Intact's underwriting income increased to C$56.0 million, from C$11.0 million, a year ago.

Intact Financial Corporation (IFC), formerly ING Canada Inc., is the provider of automobile, home and business insurance in Canada insuring approximately four million individuals and businesses across Canada. The Company is also a private sector property and casualty (P&C) insurer in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Nova Scotia. The Company operates in two segments: the underwriting segment, and the corporate and distribution segment. The underwriting segment includes two lines of business: personal lines and commercial lines. The corporate and distribution segment includes Company’s broker operations. The Company’s subsidiaries include Intact Insurance Company, Belair Insurance Company Inc., The Nordic Insurance Company of Canada, Novex Insurance Company, Trafalgar Insurance Company of Canada, Equisure Financial Network Inc., Canada Brokerlink Inc. and Grey Power Insurance Brokers Inc. On February 19, 2009, ING Groep completed the disposal of its 70% shareholding in the Company.


ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) Feb 22, 2010, White Plains, NY, declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share for the first quarter of 2010, representing an increase of approximately 18 percent over the previous quarterly dividend. 

This cash dividend will be payable on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 1.

The dividend yield is 1.95% on the new payout.

ITT Corporation is a global multi-industry company engaged directly and through its subsidiaries in the designing, manufacturing and sale of range of engineered products. The company’s three principal business segments are referred to as Fluid Technology, Defense Electronics & Services, Fluid Technology and Motion & Flow Control. Defense Electronics & Services, which include high-technology electronic systems and components, communications systems and engineering and applied research; Fluid Technology, include water and wastewater treatment systems, pumps and related technologies, and other water fluid control products with residential, commercial and industrial applications. Motion & Flow Control is comprised of a group of businesses providing products and services for the areas of defense, aerospace, industrial, transportation, computer, telecom and marine.

J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT) Feb 4, 2010, Lowell, AR announced that its Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend on its common stock to twelve (12) cents per common share payable to stockholders of record on February 12, 2010. The dividend will be paid on February 26, 2010.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT), incorporated on August 10, 1961, is a holding company. The Company provides a range of transportation services to customers throughout the continental United States, Canada and Mexico. Through its subsidiaries, the Company offers transportation of full-load freight, which it directly transports in multi-modal arrangements utilizing Company-owned revenue equipment and Company drivers, independent contractors, or third parties. JBHT also provides customized freight movement, revenue equipment, labor and systems services that are tailored to meet individual customers’ requirements and involve long-term contracts. JBHT operates in four business segments: intermodal (JBI), dedicated contract services (DCS), full-load dry-van (JBT) and integrated capacity solutions (ICS).

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) Feb 23, 2010, Dallas, TX said its board of directors has approved a dividend increase of 10 percent. This will bring the quarterly dividend to 66 cents per share, up from 60 cents per share in 2009.

The board of directors declared the dividend payable on April 5, 2010, to stockholders of record on March 5, 2010. This is the 38th consecutive year Kimberly-Clark has raised its dividend.


Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (Nasdaq: JKHY) Feb 8, 2010, Monett, MO, today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the quarterly cash dividend by 12 percent to $.095 per share. The cash dividend on its common stock, par value $.01 per share, is payable on March 9, 2010, to stockholders of record as of February 24, 2010. At February 2, 2010, there were 84,500,457 shares of the common stock outstanding.

Kevin D. Williams, CFO of Jack Henry & Associates, stated, "This increase in our dividend is reflective of our ongoing commitment to generate a return on our stockholders' investment. We established our dividend policy in 1990, and our dividend has increased every year since its inceptions. Our announcement of this dividend increase during our third fiscal quarter is consistent with previous years."

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. is a leading provider of computer systems and ATM/debit card/ACH transaction processing services primarily for financial services organizations. Its technology solutions serve more than 11,800 customers nationwide, and are marketed and supported through three primary brands. Jack Henry Banking supports banks ranging from de novo to mid-tier institutions with information processing solutions. Symitar™ is the leading provider of information processing solutions for credit unions of all sizes. ProfitStars® provides highly specialized products and services that enable financial institutions of every asset size and charter, and diverse corporate entities to mitigate and control risks, optimize revenue and growth opportunities, and contain costs. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.


L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) Feb 2, 2010 New York, NY, announced that its board of directors has increased its regular quarterly cash dividend 14 percent from $0.35 to $0.40 per share. The board has also declared the dividend payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2010.
“Our continued confidence in L-3’s financial and operational strength is the catalyst for this increase to L-3’s quarterly dividend,” said Michael T. Strianese, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We remain committed to delivering value to shareholders through increased dividends, share repurchases and a focused, disciplined approach to acquisitions.”

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 66,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2009 sales of $15.6 billion.

Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSBK) Feb 5, 2010, Dunkirk, NY, the holding company for Lake Shore Savings Bank reported net income of $2.2 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 47.0%, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

"We are pleased to record a substantial increase in our 2009 fiscal year operating results in comparison to 2008, which exemplifies our strategic commitment to the financial performance of our organization," stated Mr. David C. Mancuso, President and CEO.

The Company also announced on February 2, 2010 that its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share dividend on its outstanding common stock. This dividend represents a 20% increase from the amount of its prior quarterly cash dividend.
"Our board of directors are pleased to provide an increased dividend for our shareholders", stated Mr. Mancuso. "While some large banks have reduced their lending efforts in 2009, we are happy to report that we continue to have record levels of loan originations in the areas of residential mortgage, commercial, and small business loans. In 2010, we will continue our efforts to provide core banking products to individuals and businesses in our market areas. We look forward to continued success in 2010, as we prepare to expand our presence in Erie County with the opening of our 10th branch office in April 2010, which will be located in Depew."

Lake Shore Bancorp is the parent company of Lake Shore Savings Bank, a community-oriented financial institution operating nine full-service branch locations in Western New York offering a broad array of retail and commercial lending and deposit services.


Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ: MCHP), Feb 3, 2010, Chandler, AZ, a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 34.1 cents per share.

The dividend is payable on March 4, 2010 to stockholders of record on February 18, 2010. Microchip initiated quarterly cash dividend payments in the third quarter of fiscal year 2003, and has increased the dividend 24 times since then.
“Microchip continues to demonstrate strong cash flow characteristics in its business, growing its total cash and investment position to $1.5 billion at December 31, 2009,” said Steve Sanghi, President and CEO.

“Microchip’s Board of Directors authorized an increase in the quarterly dividend to 34.1 cents per share, which exemplifies their ongoing commitment to returning value to shareholders.”

MOCON, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOCO) Feb 24, 2010, Minneapolis, MN, announced today that on February 23, 2010, its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of nine and one-half cents ($0.095) per share, payable on May 21, 2010, to shareholders of record on May 7, 2010. This is a six percent increase over the previous rate of nine cents per share.

The Company has provided stockholders with quarterly dividends for the 87th consecutive quarter. Prior to the present policy of quarterly dividends, the Company had been paying dividends on a semi-annual basis since 1984.
MOCON is a leading provider of detectors, instruments, systems and consulting services to research laboratories, production facilities, and quality control and safety departments in the medical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, packaging, environmental, oil and gas and other industries worldwide.


National Interstate Corporation (Nasdaq:NATL) Feb 4, 2010, Richfield, OH, announced that its Board of Directors approved an $0.08 per share dividend. The cash dividend will be payable on March 12, 2010 to shareholders of record of the Company's common stock as of the close of business on March 1, 2010. Anticipated dividend payment dates for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2010 will be June 11, 2010, September 10, 2010 and December 10, 2010, respectively.

The $0.08 per share dividend represents a 14% increase over quarterly dividend payments made in 2009. Since its Initial Public Offering in 2005, the Company has changed its policy from an annual to a quarterly dividend and has increased its quarterly dividend in each of the last four years. The Board of Directors intends to continue to review the Company's dividend policy at future first quarter meetings, with the anticipation of considering annual dividend increases in accordance with its dividend policy.

National Interstate Corporation founded in 1989, is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company with a niche orientation and focus on the transportation industry. It offers insurance products and services designed to meet the unique needs of targeted insurance buyers. Its products include insurance for transportation companies, alternative risk transfer, or captive insurance programs for commercial risks, specialty personal lines consisting of insurance products focused primarily on recreational vehicle owners and small commercial vehicle accounts, and transportation and general commercial insurance in Hawaii and Alaska. Insurance products are offered through multiple distribution channels including independent agents and brokers, affiliated agencies and agent Internet initiatives. Its insurance subsidiaries are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Headquartered in Richfield, Ohio, National Interstate is an independently operated subsidiary of Great American Insurance Company, a property-casualty subsidiary of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) (Nasdaq:AFG).

Nestle SA (OTC: NSRGY) Feb 19, 2010, Vevey, Switzerland, reported FY09 results. In addition to reporting sales of CHF 108 billion [approx. $99.95 billion] and an EPS of CHF 3.09 [approx. $2.86], the company had the following news:

Proposed dividend increase of 14.3% to CHF 1.60 [approx. $1.48], a pay-out ratio of 51.8% based on underlying EPS
 CHF 10 billion [approx. $9.25 billion] of shares to be bought back in 2010.


News Corp (NASDAQ: NWSA) Feb 2, 2010, New York, NY, results beat expectations thanks to "Avatar" and improved advertising sales, and the company raised its outlook and dividend in a sign of confidence for the battered media sector.
The 25 percent dividend increase announced on Tuesday by Rupert Murdoch's media conglomerate would have been unthinkable a year ago, when crumbling ad revenue decimated TV and newspapers, and sales of DVD and books also cratered.

News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch was extremely bullish on a conference call with Wall Street analysts and journalists, saying the company's future would benefit from the willingness of customers to pay for quality content.


Northwestern Corp. (NYSE: NWE) Feb 12, 2010, Souix Falls, SD, reports Q4 EPS of $0.70, 9 cents better than the analyst estimate of $0.61. Revenue for the quarter was $302.41 million, which compares to the estimate of $274 million.

It sees FY10 EPS of $1.95 - $2.10, compared to $1.92 consensus.



Northwestern's Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.34 per share, or $1.36 annualized. The dividend represents an increase of a $0.005 per share from Dec. 31, 2009.

The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010, to common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2010, the ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010.

Yield on the dividend is 5.6%.


Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) Feb 23, 2010, Provo, UT, announced that its board of directors declared a 9 percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.125 per share. Annually, this would increase the dividend to $0.50, up from $0.46 in the prior year. The increase begins in the first quarter and will be paid on March 17, 2010, to shareholders of record on Feb. 26, 2010.

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. offeres anti-aging products such as its patent-pending ageLOC™ anti-aging platform and flagship products including the Galvanic Spa® System II, Tru Face® Essence Ultra and LifePak® nano. A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 48 markets worldwide and has more than 760,000 independent sales representatives.

Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI) Feb 25, 2010, Chicago, IL declared a quarterly cash dividend on the common stock of 17.25 cents per share. This dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 5, 2010. Subject to Board approval of each quarter's new rate, the full year's cash dividend will amount to 69 cents per share compared to 68 cents paid in 2009.

This latest dividend increase marks the 29th consecutive year that Old Republic has boosted its cash dividend rate, and 2010 becomes the 69th year of uninterrupted cash dividend payments.

Chicago-based Old Republic International Corporation is an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries market, underwrite and provide risk management services for a wide variety of coverages, principally in the property and liability, mortgage guaranty and title insurance fields. One of the nation's 50 largest publicly owned insurance organizations, Old Republic has assets of approximately $14.1 billion and common shareholders' equity of nearly $3.9 billion or $16.49 per share. Its current stock market valuation is approximately $2.7 billion or $11.25 per share.

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) Feb 11, 2010, New York, NY declares a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per outstanding share of its common stock, or $0.80 annualized. The dividend is an increase of 33.3% from the previous quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share. 

The dividend is payable on April 2, 2010 to Omnicom Group common shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010.

Yield on the dividend is 2.3%.

Omnicom Group Inc. (Omnicom) is a holding company, providing professional services to the clients through multiple agencies operating globally. It is engaged in providing advertising, marketing and corporate communication services. The Company’s agencies provide a range of services, which it groups into four disciplines: traditional media advertising, customer relationship management (CRM), public relations and specialty communications. The wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company include Omnicom capital Inc. (OCI) and Omnicom Finance Inc. (OFI). In July 2009, LB2 Group Ltd. announced that it has acquired ownership of Ketchum Directory Advertising (KDA) from Omnicom.


Owens & Minor, Inc. (NYSE: OMI) Feb 8, 2010, Mechanicsville, VA, today announced a three-for-two stock split of the company's common stock to be effected in the form of a stock dividend of one share of company common stock for every two shares outstanding. Simultaneously, the board approved a 15% increase in its quarterly cash dividend. The cash dividend increase raises the pre-split quarterly cash dividend from $0.23 per share to $0.265 per share. On a post-split basis, the cash dividend would equal $0.177 per share.

The record date for the stock split and the cash dividend is March 15, 2010. Shareholders will receive one new share of common stock for every two shares they own and will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. Shareholders will also be paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.265 per share on a pre-split basis. Both the cash dividend and the stock dividend will be payable on March 31, 2010. The common stock will trade on a post-split basis beginning on April 1, 2010.

"The three-for-two stock split and the planned 15% increase in our first quarter dividend reflect our confidence in our financial and operational performance, as well as our ability to execute on our strategic initiatives," said G. Gilmer Minor, III, chairman of the board of Owens & Minor. "We believe this stock split and dividend increase support our philosophy of delivering long-term value to our shareholders."

With the stock split, the number of outstanding shares of the company's common stock will increase from approximately 42 million shares to approximately 63 million shares.

Owens & Minor, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading distributor of national name-brand medical and surgical supplies and a healthcare supply-chain management company. Owens & Minor is also a member of the Russell 2000(R) Index, which measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe, as well as the S&P MidCap 400, which includes companies with a market capitalization of $750 million to $3.3 billion that meet certain financial standards. With a diverse product and service offering and distribution centers throughout the United States, the company serves hospitals, integrated healthcare systems, alternate care locations, group purchasing organizations, and the federal government. Owens & Minor provides technology and consulting programs that improve inventory management and streamline logistics across the entire medical supply chain--from origin of product to patient bedside.

Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (TSE: PNG) Feb 8, 2010, Vancouver, BC, announced that the Board of Directors increased the first quarter 2010 dividend on common shares by 12 percent to $0.28 per share, up from $0.25 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009.

PNG also announced earnings per common share (basic) of $0.95 for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, up 13 percent from $0.84 a year earlier.

The first quarter 2010 dividend is payable March 22, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2010. This latest rise in dividends follows increases in the first quarter of 2008, the first quarter of 2009, and the third quarter of 2009, now totaling 40 percent over this period.

"The increased dividend reflects the Board's confidence in the strength of our natural gas distribution business and the solid prospects for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project and associated KSL Project pipeline," said Roy Dyce, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Given a growing natural gas surplus in northern British Columbia and declining natural gas prices across North America, the economics of exporting LNG continue to improve and we continue to work towards achieving significant project milestones as the year progresses."


PartnerRe Ltd. (NYSE:PRE) Feb 16, 2010, Pembroke, Bermuda, announced that its Board of Directors has increased the annual dividend to $2.00 per common share, from $1.88 per common share.

This is the seventeenth consecutive year that the Company has increased the common share dividend since its inception in 1993.

PartnerRe President & CEO Patrick Thiele said, “PartnerRe has a track record of generating value for shareholders over the long term, and returning capital to investors in the form of a growing stream of common dividends and share repurchases. We are pleased to announce this year’s increased dividend rate, particularly in light of the acquisition of PARIS RE. We substantially increased our capital base and the number of common shares outstanding, meaning that in dollar terms, our annual dividend payout on common shares increases by 41% to $165 million when compared to our dividend payout in 2009.”

The Company issued approximately 26 million common shares in 2009 to facilitate the acquisition of PARIS RE, bringing the total number of common shares outstanding to approximately 83 million.

Today, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.50 per common share. The dividend will be payable on March 1, 2010, to common shareholders of record on February 19, 2010, with the stock trading ex-dividend commencing February 17, 2010.

PartnerRe is a leading global reinsurer, providing multi-line reinsurance to insurance companies. The Company through its wholly owned subsidiaries also offers alternative risk products that include weather and credit protection to financial, industrial and service companies. Risks reinsured include property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering, energy, marine, specialty property, specialty casualty, other lines, life/annuity and health, and alternative risk products. For the year ended December 31, 2008, total revenues were $4.0 billion. Pro-forma combined capital, which PartnerRe defines as total shareholders’ equity, long-term debt, senior notes and capital efficient notes, at June 30, 2009, reflecting the acquisition of PARIS RE, was $7.2 billion and total assets were $23.5 billion. At September 30, 2009, prior to the recognition of the full acquisition of PARIS RE, PartnerRe’s capital was $5.8 billion and total assets were $17.8 billion.

Piedmont Natural Gas (NYSE: PNY) Feb 26, 2010, Charlotte, NC, approved an increase in the Company's dividend for the 32nd consecutive year. At its regularly scheduled meeting, the Board declared a quarterly dividend on Common Stock of 28 cents per share, a 3.7 percent increase over the previous quarterly dividend of 27 cents per share. The increased dividend is payable April 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2010.

At today's annual meeting of shareholders, four members of the Board of Directors were re-elected: Jerry W. Amos, Frankie T. Jones, Vicki McElreath, and Thomas E. Skains. Shareholders also ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's auditors for 2010, and approved an amendment to the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan.

Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy services company primarily engaged in the distribution of natural gas to more than one million residential, commercial and industrial utility customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including 61,000 customers served by municipalities who are wholesale customers. Our subsidiaries are invested in joint venture, energy-related businesses, including unregulated retail natural gas marketing, interstate natural gas storage and intrastate natural gas transportation.

Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI) Feb 4, 2010, Stamford, CT, increased its quarterly dividend to 36.5 cents per share per quarter, it said, from 36 cents per quarter. Pitney Bowes also announced that the increased dividend is , payable March 12, 2010, to stockholders of record on February 19, 2010. In other dividend action, the company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.53 per share on the company's $2.12 convertible preference stock, payable April 1, 2010, to stockholders of record March 15, 2010, and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share on the company's 4% convertible cumulative preferred stock, payable May 1, 2010, to stockholders of record April 15, 2010.

Pitney Bowes Inc. is a provider of mail processing equipment and integrated mail solutions. The Company offers a range of equipment, supplies, software and services for end-to-end mailstream solutions, which enable its customers to optimize the flow of physical and electronic mail, documents and packages across their operations. It operates in two business groups: Mailstream Solutions and Mailstream Services. . The Company operates both inside and outside the United States. It conducts its business activities in seven business segments within the Mailstream Solutions and Mailstream Services business groups. Its products and services are marketed through an extensive network of direct sales offices in the United States and through a number of its subsidiaries and independent distributors and dealers in many countries worldwide. It also uses direct marketing, outbound telemarketing and the Internet to reach its customers.

PPL Corp. (NYSE: PPL) Feb 26, 2010, Allentown, PA that it has increased its quarterly dividend rate from $0.345 to $0.35 per share, or from $1.38 to $1.40 per share on an annualized basis. The increased dividend is payable April 1 to shareholders of record as of March 10.

This marks the eighth consecutive year of increased dividends paid to its shareholders, the company noted.

Based on the company's Thursday closing stock price of $28.83 per share, the increase will bring the current dividend yield on PPL common stock to 4.9%.

Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE: PEG) Feb 16, 2010, Newark, NJ declared a 3.0% increase in the company's common stock dividend today. PSEG has paid annual dividends on an uninterrupted basis since 1907.

The board increased the quarterly dividend to 34.25 cents per share, a 3.0% increase over the company's existing quarterly dividend rate of 33.25 cents per share. The first dividend in 2010 is payable on March 31, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2010.

Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and chief executive officer said, "We are very pleased to be able to increase the cash return to our shareholders. This increase represents the seventh consecutive year that PSEG has increased its common dividend. The board's action increases the indicated annual common stock dividend rate to $1.37 per share from $1.33 per share, and continues to provide flexibility for new investment."

All future changes in the common dividend are subject to board approval.

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) is a holding company that operates through three principal direct wholly owned subsidiaries: Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), PSEG Power LLC (Power) and PSEG Energy Holdings LLC (Energy Holdings). PSEG is an energy company with a diversified business mix. PSEG’s operations are primarily in the Northeastern and Mid Atlantic United States, and in other select markets. The wholly owned operating subsidiaries of Power are PSEG Fossil LLC (Fossil), PSEG Nuclear LLC (Nuclear) and PSEG Energy Resources & Trade LLC (ER&T).

Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) Feb 26, 2010, Glendale, CA announced today operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009.

On February 26, 2010, the Board of Trustees declared a regular common dividend of $0.65 per common share, representing an increase of $0.10 per share (an 18% increase) from the previous quarter's distribution. The company’s, long-term dividend policy has been to distribute only taxable income. Taxable income attributable to common shareholders has increased due to recent purchases of preferred securities and equity stock, as well as reduced property depreciation, offset in part by declines in operating income. Future changes in our dividend will be impacted by these same factors, as well as property acquisitions.
Public Storage, a member of the S&P 500 and The Forbes Global 2000, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that primarily acquires, develops, owns and operates self-storage facilities. The Company's headquarters are located in Glendale, California. At December 31, 2009, the Company had interests in 2,010 self-storage facilities located in 38 states with approximately 127 million net rentable square feet in the United States and 188 storage facilities located in seven Western European nations with approximately ten million net rentable square feet operated under the "Shurgard" brand. The Company also owns a 41% common equity interest in PS Business Parks (PSB 49.00, +1.25, +2.62%) which owned and operated approximately 19.6 million rentable square feet of commercial space, primarily flex, multitenant office and industrial space, at December 31, 2009.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) Feb 17, 2010, Pembroke, Bermuda, increased the company's quarterly dividend to $0.25 per common share on its common stock, from $0.24 per common share.

The Company has increased its dividend during each of the fifteen years since its initial public offering. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2010.

In addition, the Board of Directors approved an increase in RenaissanceRe's stock repurchase program, bringing the total current authorization to $500 million. This authorization includes the remainder amounts available under prior authorizations. Under this program, RenaissanceRe may repurchase shares of its common stock in the open market based on, among other things, its ongoing capital requirements and expected cash flows, and the market price of its common shares. The repurchase program does not have an established expiration date.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance. Our business consists of two segments: (1) Reinsurance, which includes catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance and certain joint ventures and other investments managed by our subsidiary RenaissanceRe Ventures Ltd., and (2) Individual Risk, which includes primary insurance and quota share reinsurance.

Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI) Feb 10, 2010, Menlo Park, CA announced an increase to its quarterly cash dividend, from $.12 to $.13 per share. The cash dividend will be paid on March 15, 2010, to all shareholders of record as of February 25, 2010.

Founded in 1948, Robert Half International Inc., the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, is a recognized leader in professional consulting and staffing services, and is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global business consulting and internal audit firm composed of experts specializing in risk, advisory and transaction services. The company's specialized staffing divisions include Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting and Robert Half® Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam®, for highly skilled temporary administrative support personnel; Robert Half® Technology, for information technology professionals; Robert Half® Legal, for legal personnel; and The Creative Group®, for advertising, marketing and web design professionals.
Robert Half International has staffing and consulting operations in more than 400 locations worldwide.

Rogers Communications Inc (TSX: RCI.A) (TSX: RCI.B), Feb 17, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, a Canadian telecom company, announced that its board has decided to increase the annualised dividend payable on both its Class A Voting and Class B Non-Voting shares by 10% from CAD1.16 to CAD1.28 per share, to be paid quarterly.

The board also declared a quarterly dividend, reflecting the increase, of CAD0.32 per share on all outstanding Class A Voting and Class B Non-Voting share, to be paid on 1 April 2010 to shareholders of record as of 5 March 2010.


Ross Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: OST) Feb 4, 2010, Pleasanton, CA, raised its quarterly cash dividend by 45 percent, the 16th straight year it has done so.
The discount retailer raised its quarterly dividend to 16 cents per share, payable on Mar. 31 to shareholders of record on Feb. 19.
Ross Stores started paying a dividend in 1994.


SCANA Corporation (NYSE: SCG) Feb 11, 2010, Cayce, SC, announced that its board of directors, at a meeting held today, raised the quarterly cash dividend on the Company's common stock to 47 1/2 cents per share from 47 cents per share, an increase of 1.1 percent.

This action increases the indicated annual dividend rate to $1.90 per share from $1.88 per share. The Company has increased the annual dividend rate on its common stock in 56 of the last 58 years. The new dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2010.

"Similar to last year, the board of directors is taking a conservative financial outlook for the Company," said Bill Timmerman, SCANA Chairman and CEO. "However, they remain confident about our long-term future despite the challenging economy, and felt it important to relay that message to all SCANA shareholders by providing this increase."

SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Cayce, SC, is an energy-based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses.

The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) Feb 17, 2010, Cleveland, OH, announced an increase in their quarterly dividend from $0.355 per common share to $0.36 per common share, payable on March 12, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 26, 2010. This increase follows 31 consecutive years of dividend increases.

Sherwin-Williams is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers primarily in North and South America, with additional operations in the Caribbean region, Europe and Asia. The Company’s segments include Paint Stores Group, Consumer Group and Global Finishes Group. In February 2009, the Company acquired Altax Sp. zo.o.


Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (TSE: SC) Feb 11, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to 22.5 Canadian cents, reflecting an increase in net earnings year-over-year.

In the fourth quarter, Shoppers earned C$171.1 million or 79 Canadian cents a share, compared with C$166.5 million or 77 Canadian cents a year earlier; sales slipped to C$2.49 billion from C$2.50 billion.

The year-earlier quarter included an extra week that contributed an additional C$174 million in sales.

Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Quebec). It has a network of more than 1,119 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores across Canada. The Company also licenses or owns more than 30 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Sante in Quebec) and two luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. The Company also offers a range of private label products marketed under such trademarks as LifeBrand, Quo, Everyday Market, Bio-Life, Nativa, Get and Easypix, among others, as well as services such as the HealthWATCH program, which provides patient counselling on medications, disease management and health and wellness, and the Shoppers Optimum program, a retail loyalty card programs in Canada. It owns and operates 66 Shoppers Home Health Care stores.


SIGMA-ALDRICH (NASDAQ: SIAL) Feb 9, 2010, St. Louis, MO declared a 10.3% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2010.

2009 Results (all percentages are to comparable periods in 2008) -- Q4 2009 reported sales grew by 12.3% to $573 million. Q4 sales grew organically by 5.6% driven by strong Research Biotech and fine chemicals (SAFC) sales. Full year 2009 reported sales declined by 2.4% with organic sales growth of 1.7%. -- Q4 2009 diluted EPS increased by 10.3% to $0.75.

Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostic and other high technology manufacturing. Its customers are life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 38 countries and has 7,700 employees providing excellent service worldwide. We are committed to accelerating our Customers' success through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service.


Source Capital, Inc. (NYSE:SOR) Feb. 1, 2010, Los Angeles, CA, approved a 20% increase in the regular quarterly distribution on the Company's common stock to 60 cents a common share, payable Mar. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business Feb. 19, 2010. The previous rate was 50 cents a common share.
Directors also declared a regular quarterly income dividend of 60 cents a preferred share, payable Mar. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business Feb. 19, 2010.

Source Capital, Inc. is a closed-end investment company managed by First Pacific Advisors, LLC.


Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE: SWX) Feb 26, 2010, Las Vegas, NV has increased the quarterly common stock dividend from $.2375 per share to $.25 per share and has declared the following second quarter cash dividend: Payable June 1, 2010, and of record May 17, 2010. Rate is $0.25 per common share.

The quarterly rate equates to an annual $1.00 per share, a five cent or approximately five percent increase, on an annualized basis. The company has paid quarterly dividends continuously since going public in 1956, and has raised its dividend in each of the past four years. Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Shaw noted, "Improved cash flows, a decrease in capital expenditures, and sensible cost controls have all combined to strengthen our financial position, despite the current economic downturn. Dividend increases are necessary to facilitate competitive and reasonable returns for our shareholders."

Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas service to approximately 1.8 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California.


TAL International Group, Inc. (NYSE: TAL) Feb 24, 2010, Purchase, NY, one of the world's largest lessors of intermodal freight containers and chassis, today reported results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2009.

TAL's Board of Directors has approved and declared a $0.25 per share quarterly cash dividend on its issued and outstanding common stock, payable on March 25, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2010. Based on the information available today, we believe the distribution will qualify as a return of capital rather than a taxable dividend for U.S. tax purposes. Investors should consult with a tax advisor to determine the proper tax treatment of this distribution.

Mr. Sondey concluded "We are very pleased to increase our dividend back to a more significant level. We effectively discontinued the dividend in early 2009 due to the rapid decrease in global trade volumes and uncertainty about future market conditions. However, as I have noted, we were able to deliver solid results in 2009 despite the challenging conditions, and we are now expecting a much improved market environment and improved performance in 2010. Based on this, we decided it was appropriate to restart our dividend program and have set the initial quarterly dividend at $0.25 per share."



Temple-Inland Inc. (NYSE: TIN) Feb 5, 2010, Austin, TX said it has declared a quarterly dividend of 11 cents per share - an increase of a penny or 10 percent.

The dividend will be paid March 15 to shareholders of record as of March 1.

Temple-Inland Inc. manufactures corrugated packaging and building products, which the Company considers as two separate operating segments. The Company’s vertically integrated corrugated packaging operation includes seven mills and 63 converting facilities. Temple-Inland Inc. manufactures containerboard (linerboard and corrugating medium) and converts it into a line of corrugated packaging. It also manufactures light-weight gypsum facing paper and white-top linerboard at its mill in Newport, Indiana. The building products segment manufactures a range of building products, including lumber, gypsum wallboard, particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and fiberboard. The Company also owns a 50% interest in Del-Tin Fiber LLC, a joint venture that produces MDF at a facility in El Dorado, Arkansas.


Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NASDAQ: TEVA) Feb 16, 2010, Petach Tikva, Israel, announced that its Board of Directors, at its meeting on February 15, 2010, declared a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2009 of NIS0.70 (approximately $0.187 according to the rate of exchange on February 15, 2010) per share, up 16.7% from NIS0.60 in the previous quarter. The record date will be February 23, 2010, and the payment date will be March 10, 2010. Tax will be withheld at a rate of 11%.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Teva) is a global pharmaceutical company that develops, produces and markets generic drugs covering all treatment categories. The Company has a pharmaceutical business, whose principal products are Copaxone for multiple sclerosis and Azilect for Parkinson’s disease, respiratory products and women’s health products. Teva’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) business provides vertical integration to Teva’s own pharmaceutical production. The Company’s global operations are conducted in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Israel. Teva has operations in more than 60 countries, including 38 finished dosage pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in 17 countries, 15 generic research and development (R&D) centers operating mostly within certain manufacturing sites and 21 API manufacturing sites around the world. On January 29, 2009, the Company sold its Israeli animal health product line to Phibro Animal Health Corporation.


Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) Feb 3, 2010, New York, NY, owner of the Warner Bros. studio and the HBO cable channel, increased its dividend and stock repurchase program after fourth-quarter profit topped analysts’ estimates on films such as “The Blind Side.”

Time Warner raised its quarterly dividend to 21.25 cents a share from 18.75 cents, and boosted its share buyback by $2 billion. Investors have pressed for cash returns since the company received $9.25 billion last March from the spinoff of Time Warner Cable Inc. The company had $4.8 billion of cash and equivalents as of Dec. 31.

Tim Hortons (NYSE: THI) Feb 25, 2010, Oakville, Ontario says it will increase it quarterly dividend by 30% to Cdn 13 cents per common share.

This is the third time Tim Hortons is making a dividend increase to date. Tim Hortons new payout rate of Cdn 13 cents, or about 12 U.S. cents per common share, is payable on March 23 of this year to shareholders of record as of March 8, 2010. For U.S. shareholders, dividends will be converted to U.S. dollars based on prevailing exchange rates.

The 30% increase coincides with the board's approval of a higher long-term targeted annual dividend payout range of 30% to 35% of prior year, normalized annual net earnings. Tim Hortons will focus initially on the lower end of the range.

The previous targeted payout range was 20% to 25% of prior year, normalized annual net earnings. Tim Hortons has also announced a new $200 million share repurchase program reflecting its confidence in generating strong free cash flow.

Tim Hortons had 3,578 restaurants as on January 3, 2010, including 3,015 in Canada and 563 in the U.S.

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) Feb 11, 2010, Hartford, CT, board approved a 10% dividend increase, the latest company to raise its payout to shareholders as markets continue to stabilize.
The industrial conglomerate raised the payout by 4 cents .

The dividend will be paid on March 10 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 19.
"Despite weakness in the global economy, our focus on structural cost reduction, effective cash redeployment, and portfolio transformation has made UTC a stronger company than we were a year ago," said Chairman and Chief Executive Louis Chenevert.

UniSource Energy Corporation (NYSE: UNS) Feb 12, 2010, Tucson, AZ, has declared a first quarter dividend for common shareholders of 39 cents per share.

The dividend will be paid on March 8, 2010, to common shareholders of record as of February 23, 2010. In 2009, the company's quarterly dividend was 29 cents per share. UniSource Energy reinstated its dividend in 2000.

"The board's decision to increase the dividend demonstrates its confidence in the company's outlook for earnings stability and continued strong operating performance," said Paul J. Bonavia, UniSource Energy's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "It is the board's intent to continue to increase the dividend and to reach, over the next few years, a dividend payout level of 60 percent of UniSource Energy's net income."

The declaration of dividend payments is at the board's sole discretion and is subject to numerous factors that ordinarily affect dividend policy, including the results of UniSource Energy's operations and its financial position as well as general economic and business conditions.

UniSource Energy's primary subsidiaries include Tucson Electric Power, which serves more than 400,000 customers in southern Arizona; and UniSource Energy Services, provider of natural gas and electric service for about 235,000 customers in northern and southern Arizona. For more information about UniSource Energy and its subsidiaries, visit uns.com.

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) Feb 22, 2010, Charleston, WV announced that its Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2010 dividend of $0.30 per share for shareholders of record as of March 12, 2010. This is a 3% increase over the $0.29 per share paid in the first quarter of 2009.

The dividend payout of approximately $13.0 million on 43.4 million shares is payable April 1, 2010. The annualized 2010 dividend of $1.20 per share equates to a yield of approximately 5% based on recent UBSI market prices. The dividend of $1.17 per share for year of 2009 represented the thirty-sixth consecutive year of dividend increases for United shareholders.
United Bankshares, with $7.8 billion in assets, has 113 full-service offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.


Unitrin Inc: (NYSE: UTR) Feb 3, 2010, Chicago, IL increases its quarterly dividend to $0.22 per share, an increase of $0.02.

Unitrin, Inc. (Unitrin) is a diversified insurance holding company. The company, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in providing property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and automobile finance services. It serves the basic financial needs of individuals, families and small businesses. The company conducts its operations through five operating segments: Kemper, Unitrin Specialty, Unitrin Direct, Life and Health Insurance, and Fireside Bank. On February 13, 2009, Unitrin’s subsidiary, Trinity Universal Insurance Company (Trinity) completed its acquisition of Direct Response Corporation and its subsidiaries (Direct Response).

United Parcel Service Inc., (NYSE: UPS) Feb 4, 2010, Atlanta, GA, the world’s largest package-delivery company, raised the quarterly dividend on its shares 4.4 percent for the first boost in two years as the economy recovers.

The revised dividend is 47 cents a share, up from 45 cents and payable March 3 to stockholders as of Feb. 16, the Atlanta- based company said today in a statement. The last increase was 3 cents, declared in January 2008.

UPS cited “our outlook for a gradual economic recovery and the expectation of strong performance in 2010.”

The company said last week that profit this quarter will be “slightly better” than a year earlier in a signal that the economic recovery will continue through 2010. Economists consider UPS a bellwether for economic health because it moves goods ranging from auto parts to drugs and electronics.


Validus Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: VR) Feb 17, 2010, Hamilton, Bermuda, announced today that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has increased its annual divided by 10% from $0.80 to $0.88 per common share and common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is exercisable. As a result, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.22 per common share and $0.22 per common share equivalent for which each outstanding warrant is then exercisable. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010 to shareholders and warrant holders of record on March 15, 2010.

Validus Holdings, Ltd. is a provider of reinsurance and insurance, conducting its operations worldwide through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. and Talbot Holdings Ltd.

Validus Re is a Bermuda based reinsurer focused on short-tail lines of reinsurance. Talbot is the Bermuda parent of the specialty insurance group primarily operating within the Lloyd's insurance market through Syndicate 1183.



Ventas Inc. (VTR: News ) Feb 18, 2010, Chicago, IL, announced that its fourth-quarter net income attributable to common stockholders was $54.1 million, or $0.35 per common share, compared to net income of $57.5 million or $0.40 per share in the year ago quarter.

Ventas also said that its Board increased first quarter 2010 dividend by 4.4% to $0.535 per share. The first quarter dividend is payable in cash on March 31, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 12, 2010.

Ventas, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with a portfolio of seniors housing and healthcare properties in the United States and Canada. The Company conducts substantially all of its business through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership (Ventas Realty), PSLT OP, L.P. and Ventas SSL, Inc. Its primary business consists of acquiring, financing and owning seniors housing, and healthcare properties and leasing those properties to third parties or operating those properties through independent third party managers. As of December 31, 2009, this portfolio consisted of 505 assets, 244 seniors housing communities, 187 skilled nursing facilities, 40 hospitals and 34 medical office buildings (MOBs) and other properties in 43 states and two Canadian provinces. The Company operates in two segments: triple-net leased properties and senior living operations. As of December 31, 2009, it had a 100% ownership interest in 439 of its properties.


Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO) Feb 17, 2010, Coconut Grove, FL, announced today that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend rate by 8% to 52 cents per share from 48 cents per share on each outstanding share of its Common and Class B common stock.

Albert H. Nahmad, Watsco's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased that shareholders can participate in increasing cash dividends as this marks our eighth consecutive year of increase."

Watsco is the largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related parts and supplies in the HVAC/R industry, currently operating 505 locations serving over 50,000 customers in 36 states, Puerto Rico, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Company's goal is to build a network of locations that provide the finest service and product availability for HVAC/R contractors, assisting and supporting them as they serve the country's homeowners and businesses.

Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE: WRI) Feb 2, 2010, Houston, TX, On February 24, 2010, the Board of Trust Managers declared an increase in the common dividend to $0.26 per share for the first quarter of 2010. This represents a 4% increase resulting in an annualized dividend of $1.04 per share. The dividend is payable in cash on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2010.

The Board of Trust Managers also declared dividends on the Company's preferred shares. Dividends related to the 6.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (WRI.PRD 22.21, 0.00, 0.00%) are $0.421875 per share for the quarter. Dividends on the 6.95% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (WRI.PRE 22.76, 0.00, 0.00%) are $0.434375 per share for the same period. Dividends on the 6.50% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (WRI.PRF 21.38, -0.02, -0.09%) are $0.40625 per share for the quarter. All common and preferred dividends are payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2010.

"As we enter 2010, we feel our operations have stabilized providing comfort to increase the dividend by 4% to an annualized amount of $1.04 per share. We are excited that our solid balance sheet, excess cash, full availability under the revolver and our national platform will allow Weingarten to direct our concentration on growth initiatives this year," stated Drew Alexander, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Weingarten Realty Investors is a commercial real estate owner, manager and developer. At December 31, 2009, the company owned or operated under long-term leases, either directly or through its interest in real estate joint ventures or partnerships, a total of 376 developed income-producing properties and 10 properties under various stages of construction and development. The total number of properties includes 307 neighborhood and community shopping centers located in 22 states spanning the country from coast to coast. The company also owns 76 industrial projects located in California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and three other operating properties located in Arizona and Texas. At December 31, 2009, the Company's portfolio of properties was approximately 70.0 million square feet.

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) Feb 24, 2010, Parsippany, NJ announced an increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend and that it plans to resume its share repurchase program.

"We are pleased to announce a tripling of our cash dividend and our intention to resume share repurchase activity," said Stephen P. Holmes, chairman and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide. "As we continue to transform the Company to drive free cash flow, these actions reflect our confidence in the resilience of our business model, our proven ability to execute, and the sustainability of our cash flow, while maintaining investment grade credit metrics."



The Board of Directors authorized an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.12 from $0.04 per share, beginning with the dividend that is expected to be declared in the first quarter of 2010. With this increase the dividend is equivalent to an annual rate of $0.48 per share.

The Company also announced its plan to resume the repurchase of its common stock under its existing $200 million stock repurchase program, which currently has $157 million remaining capacity. The amount and timing of specific repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Repurchases may be conducted in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

As one of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses approximately 7,110 franchised hotels and approximately 597,700 hotel rooms worldwide. Wyndham Exchange and Rentals offers leisure travelers, including its 3.8 million members access to over 65,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 155 vacation ownership resorts serving over 820,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs approximately 25,000 employees globally.


The Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) Feb 24, 2010, Topeka, KS, Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of 31 cents per share payable April 1, 2010, on the company's common stock. The new dividend is 3.3 percent higher than the company's previous quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share, and results in an indicated annual rate of $1.24 per share.

"Westar is committed both to returning value to our shareholders and investing in our facilities to ensure we are providing safe, reliable electric energy to our customers at a reasonable price," said Bill Moore, president and chief executive officer. "This increase is consistent with our dividend payout guidelines and business expectations."

The board also declared regular quarterly dividends on the company's 4.25 percent, 4.5 percent and 5 percent series preferred stocks payable April 1, 2010.

The dividends are payable to shareholders of record as of March 9, 2010.

Westar Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 685,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6.800 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates more than 35,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.


Zurich Financial Services AG (OTC: ZSFVY) Feb 4, 2010, Zurich, Switzerland’, plans to pay the biggest dividend in 10 years after fourth-quarter profit increased fivefold on higher general insurance rates. Zurich Financial is Switzerland’s largest insurance company.

Zurich Financial gained the most in nine months in Swiss trading after it proposed a dividend of 16 Swiss francs ($15.08) per share compared with 11 francs in 2008. Net income climbed to $1.05 billion from $205 million a year earlier, the Zurich-based insurer said in a statement today.

“The dividend clearly jumps out,” said Stefan Schuermann, a Zurich-based analyst with Vontobel Holding AG. “Underlying profitability is quite high.”

Zurich Financial Chief Financial Officer Dieter Wemmer said the dividend was justified by the company’s outlook. It aims to increase the profitability of its general insurance business by 2 percent through 2011 and make savings of $2.7 billion, the company said in December. Europe’s fourth-largest insurer by market capitalization seeks to overtake larger rivals, including Axa SA and Allianz SE, Chief Executive Officer Martin Senn told reporters last month in Davos.