Showing posts with label fsc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fsc. Show all posts

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Laura Franks’ Dividend Note No. 19, January, 17, 2010 on Bexley Public Radio.






















This is a report on twenty-eight companies that have increased dividends. 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 in Canada and Switzerland.

Bexley Public Radio hopes this is a positive note amidst the usual uncertainty of Wall Street and financial markets.

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






Alliant Energy Corporation (NYSE: LNT) Jan. 15, 2010 Madison, WI announced that quarterly dividends on common stock were declared by the Board of Directors. The common stock dividend is $.3950 per share payable on February 12, 2010, to shareowners of record on close of business January 29, 2010.

"I am pleased to announce that the Board has approved a 5.3% increase in our dividend," said William D. Harvey, Chairman, President and CEO of Alliant Energy. "This increase is consistent with our previously stated policy of targeting a dividend payout ratio of 60 to 70 percent of our utility earnings."

Dividends on common stock have been paid for 257 consecutive quarters since 1946.

Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and over 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company's primary focus.

Alpine Global Premier Properties Fund (NYSE: AWP) Jan. 12, 2010 WESTCHESTER, N.Y announced the monthly distributions for March, April and May at an increased rate of $.033 cents per share.

Fund manager Sam Lieber said, “The crisis of confidence which affected the global financial markets last year led to profound uncertainty over future business conditions. At the outset of last year, many companies sought to enhance cash flow retention by reducing or suspending dividends. As we enter 2010, business confidence has improved, corporate planners have improved visibility of future demand, and capital is available for participants in both the debt and equity public markets. During 2009, REITs and other public real estate companies around the world raised over $69 billion* in order to improve balance sheets.

More has been raised for new investments and even IPOs. From this enhanced equity base, we believe companies may begin to increase dividends, initially by returning to historic pay-out ratios and then when real estate incomes begin to grow. Thus, for 2010 Alpine believes that AWP can achieve a higher level of monthly distributable dividend income for shareholders through our dividend capture strategies.”

In the December, 2008 announcement of AWP’s reduced distributions for 2009, Lieber noted that “future improvements in the condition of global real estate securities markets may enable a dividend increase and shall be considered when appropriate.” Today’s announcement is an affirmation of that statement, which will continue to be a policy of the Alpine Global Premier Properties Fund.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) Jan. 4, 2010 Cincinnati, OH announced it had increased its quarterly dividend from thirteen cents per shares up to 13.75 cents per share. This amounts to an increase of about six percent and will yield investors approximately two percent going forward.

The dividend is payable on January 25, 2010 to holders of record on January 15, 2010. As previously announced, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the company’s dividend during the fourth quarter of 2009. This new dividend rate represents a 6% increase over each quarterly dividend paid in 2009.

American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio with assets in excess of $25 billion. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products. Great American Insurance Group’s roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company.

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. (NASDAQ: OZRK) Jan. 7, 2010 Little Rock, AR announced its Board of Directors has approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share, or $0.52 annualized.

This dividend of $0.14 per share represents an increase of $0.01 per share, or 7.7%, over the dividend paid in recent quarters.



The dividend is payable January 26, 2010 to shareholders of record as of January 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is January 14, 2010.

BCE Inc. (TSX,BCE) Dec. 17, 2010 Montreal today announced a 7% increase in its annual common share dividend to $1.74 per share for 2010 as well as plans for the use of its year-end 2009 surplus cash balance that include a Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) for up to $500 million and a $500 million special voluntary pension contribution.

"BCE is committed to delivering attractive ongoing returns to our shareholders and has done so through consistent and sustainable dividend increases and share buybacks since December 2008," said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada. "Our accelerating business performance built on the Bell team's strong execution of our 5 Strategic Imperatives, substantial free cash flow generation and ample liquidity provide us with the financial flexibility to reward shareholders while maintaining both a strong balance sheet and robust capital investment in Bell's networks and service programs."

The announcement represents BCE's third increase to the annual common share dividend and the second share buyback since the termination of its proposed privatization agreement in December 2008. With this increase, BCE's annual common share dividend has increased by 19% since the fourth quarter of 2008.

The BCE annual common share dividend will increase by 7% to $1.74 per share, effective with BCE's Q1 2010 dividend payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2010. This increase maintains BCE's payout ratio conservatively towards the lower end of its policy of 65% to 75% of Adjusted EPS for 2010.


Calumet Specialty Products Partners (NASDAQ:CLMT) Jan. 5, 2010, Indianapolis, IN announced its quarterly dividend of 45.5 cents per share, an increase of about 1% over its prior dividend in October of 45 cents.

Cameco Corporation (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) Dec. 7, 2009, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in the annual cash dividend to $0.28 from $0.24 per share beginning in 2010. This represents a 17% increase in the common share dividend and will be the sixth increase in the last eight years. Cameco has consistently paid dividends since its shares began trading in 1991.

The company's board of directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per common share, payable on January 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on December 31, 2009.

Cameco is one of the world's largest uranium producers. The company's uranium products are used to generate electricity in nuclear energy plants around the world, providing one of the cleanest sources of energy available today. Cameco's shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO company, (TSX: CU.X) January 14, 2010, Calgary, Alberta declared a first quarter dividend of 37.75 cents per Class A non-voting (TSX:CU) and Class B common share (TSX:CU.X), a 7.1% increase over the 35.25 cents paid in each of the four previous quarters. The dividend is payable March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 8, 2010.


Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (OTCBB: CZFS) Jan. 8, 2010, Mansfield, PA, the bank holding company for First Citizens National Bank, has declared a cash dividend of $.25 per share, to be paid on January 29, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2010.

The quarterly cash dividend is an increase of 4.2% over the dividend the company declared one year ago.

Pennsylvania-based Citizens Financial Services’ First Citizens National Bank unit has community offices in Wellsville, New York and Pennsylvania offices in Genesee, Ulysses, Wellsboro, Mansfield, Blossburg, Canton, Troy, Gillett, Towanda, LeRaysville, Stateline, Sayre and in-store offices at Weis Market in Wellsboro and WalMart in Mansfield.


Clough Global Opportunities Fund ( Amex: GLO) Jan. 6, 2010, Denver, CO declared that it has increased its quarterly distribution by $0.02 per common share to $0.27 per common share starting in January 2010. This is an eight percent increase in dividend payments.

The dividend will be payable on January 29, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 22, 2010.

The Fund has approximately $1.4 billion in total assets, the net asset value was $15.56 per share and the market price was $13.28 as of January 5, 2010. Subject to market conditions, the Fund intends to distribute subsequent regular quarterly cash distributions.

Chuck Clough, founder of Clough Capital Partners and portfolio manager for the Fund notes, “We are pleased that with the Fund’s recent rise in net asset value of 42% in 2009, we are once again able to increase distributions.”

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA), Jan. 6, 2010, Philadelphia, PA a leading cable, entertainment and communications company, announced that the Company's planned annual dividend has increased 40% to $0.378 per share. In accordance with the increase, the Board of Directors has increased the quarterly dividend payable on January 27, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 6, 2010 from $0.0675 a share on the Company’s common stock to $0.0945 a share.

Comcast Corporation is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.8 million cable customers, 15.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.4 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Core Laboratories N.V. (NYSE: CLB) Jan. 14, 2010, Houston, TX has announced a 20% increase in its quarterly cash dividend.

The cash dividend payable in the first quarter of 2010 will equal $0.12 per share of common stock. On an annualized basis, the quarterly cash dividend would equal a payout of $0.48 per share of common stock. The quarterly cash dividend will be payable on 25 February 2010 to shareholders of record on 25 January 2010. Dutch withholding tax will be deducted from the dividend at a rate of 15%.

Any determination to declare a future quarterly or special cash dividend, as well as the amount of any such cash dividend which may be declared, will be based on the Company's financial position, earnings, earnings outlook, capital expenditure plans, ongoing share repurchases, potential acquisition opportunities, and other relevant factors at the time.

Core Laboratories N.V. is a leading provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description, production enhancement, and reservoir management services used to optimize petroleum reservoir performance. The Company has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and is located in every major oil-producing province in the world.


CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS) Jan. 12, 2010 Woonsocket, RI approved a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking the seventh-straight year the company has upped the dividend.

The dividend will be 8.75 cents a share, payable Feb. 2 to holders of record on Jan. 22. It had been 7.625 cents. The increase translates to an annual rate of 35 cents a share, up 4.5 cents from the previous rate of 30.5 cents.

"This considerable increase reflects our continued strong financial performance, our optimism with respect to future growth and our significant cash generation capabilities," said President and Chief Financial Officer Dave Denton.
In November, The pharmacy service provider reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings but warned that it had some "big client losses" in its Caremark business for next year's pharmacy benefit-selling season.

Epoch Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: EPHC), Jan. 8, 2010, New York, NY announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.03 to $0.05 per share.

The dividend is payable on February 12, 2010 to shareholders of record as of January 29, 2010.

“We are pleased to announce an increase in our quarterly dividend,” said William W. Priest, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “This quarterly dividend increase, combined with the previously announced expansion of our share buyback plan and the special dividend paid in December, reflects the Board’s continued confidence in Epoch’s business strategy and financial discipline. The Company remains focused on delivering above average returns and superior service to clients as we develop the firm in a manner consistent with our ‘best in class’ objective.”

Epoch Holding Corporation conducts its operations through Epoch Investment Partners, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Investment management and investment advisory services are the Company's sole line of business. Headquartered in New York, the Company's current product offerings include U.S. All Cap Value; U.S. Value; U.S. Small Cap Value; U.S. SMID Cap Value; U.S. Choice; International Small Cap; Global Small Cap; Global Choice; Global Equity Shareholder Yield; and Global Absolute Return.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., (NYSE:FRFHF) Jan. 5, 2010 Toronto, Ontario which owns stakes in Canadian and U.S. insurers, raised its annual dividend by 25 percent, the fourth straight yearly increase.

The $10 a share dividend will be payable Jan. 26 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 19, Toronto-based Fairfax said today in a statement. Last year, Fairfax’s dividend was $8 a share.

Fairfax said the payout is determined by “current operating results” and its cash position. At the end of September, Fairfax had $2.34 billion in cash, short-term investments and marketable securities in its holding company. Profit in the third quarter was $562.4 million, a 20 percent increase from the year-earlier period.

Fairfax’s dividend has an indicated yield of 2.6 percent, according to Bloomberg data. That compares with 4.5 percent at Sun Life Financial Inc., Canada’s third-largest insurer, and 2.5 percent at Manulife Financial Corp.

Fifth Street Finance Corp. (NYSE: FSC) Jan. 13, 2010, White Plains, NY boosted its dividend by 11% to 30 cents, marking its second consecutive increase for shareholders.
The dividend will be paid on March 30, 2010 for shareholders of record March 3, 2010.


Fortis Inc. (TSX: FTS) Jan 11, 2010 ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR increases quarterly common share dividend by 7.7 percent that marks 37 consecutive years of annual common share dividend increases. The board has declared a common share dividend of $0.28 per share on the issued and outstanding fully paid common shares of the corporation, payable on March 1, 2010 to the common shareholders of record at the close of business on February 5, 2010.

The 7.7 per cent increase in the quarterly common share dividend to $0.28 from $0.26 extends the corporation’s record of annual common share dividend payment increases to 37 consecutive years, the longest record of any public corporation in Canada.

Fortis Inc. is the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, with total assets approaching $12 billion and fiscal 2008 revenues totalling $3.9 billion. The corporation serves more than 2,000,000 gas and electricity customers. Its regulated holdings include electric distribution utilities in five Canadian provinces and three Caribbean countries and a natural gas utility in British Columbia. Fortis owns and operates non-regulated generation assets across Canada and in Belize and Upper New York State. It also owns hotels and commercial real estate across Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS.

Glentel Inc. (TSX: GLN) January 5, 2010, Burnaby, British Columbia announced an increase in its quarterly dividend, to $.0975 per share. The dividend has a record date of January 15, 2010, and is payable on January 29, 2010.

Glentel is a leading provider of innovative and reliable telecommunications services and solutions in Canada and the United States. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Burnaby, BC, Glentel comprises two operating divisions - Retail and Business - that service thousands of consumers and commercial telecommunications customers.

Together with its divisions, the company operates more than 280 locations across Canada located in retail malls, Costco Wholesale stores, and business centers. As the largest multi-carrier mobile phone retailer in Canada, it offers a choice of network carrier and wireless device or phone. To its business and government customers, Glentel offers wireless service, rental equipment, satellite and terrestrial network systems, tower sites and wireless asset monitoring. Glentel operates its business under the trading names Glentel Wireless, WirelessWave, The Telephone Booth (Tbooth and la cabine T) and WIRELESS etc.
Linear Technology Corporation (NASDAQ:LLTC), Jan. 13, 2010, Milipitas, CA a leading, independent manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, reported financial results for the quarter ended December 27, 2009.

During the December quarter the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance increased by $33.0 million to $942.5 million. The Company is increasing its quarterly dividend from $0.22 per share to $0.23 per share. This marks the 18th consecutive year the Company has increased its dividend. The cash dividend of $0.23 per share will be paid on February 24, 2010 to stockholders of record on February 12, 2010.

According to Lothar Maier, CEO, “The Company began to recover from the global recession in the first quarter, but we continued to be relatively cautious as we entered the second quarter given the economic climate and level of uncertainty among our customers. However, the recovery continued throughout the second quarter and we experienced stronger than expected bookings with particular strength in the industrial, communications and computer end-markets. This allowed us to beat the high end of our second quarter revenue guidance as we grew revenues $20.2 million or 9% sequentially. In addition, higher gross margins and tight operating expense controls resulted in a 16% increase in our operating income, thereby increasing our operating margin to 45.1% of sales, up from 42.2% last quarter.

“Our factories continue to execute well, enabling us to maintain low lead times which allows our customers to place orders on us close to their demand requirements. Strong second quarter bookings and a related positive book-to-bill ratio that was higher than we have experienced in the past several quarters, leads us to be optimistic as we enter our third quarter. As a result, we are forecasting revenue growth for our third fiscal quarter in the range of 7% to 10% over our second fiscal quarter.”

Matthews International Corporation (Nasdaq: MATW) Oct. 22, 2009 Pittsburgh, PA declared a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share on the Company's common stock. The quarterly dividend has been increased one-half cent per share from $0.065 to $0.07. The dividend is payable November 16, 2009 to stockholders of record November 2, 2009.


Joseph C. Bartolacci, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Despite the challenges of fiscal 2009, we continue to have confidence in our long-term strategies. Accordingly, Matthews believes a modest increase in our dividend is appropriate." Mr. Bartolacci noted that this was the Corporation's 15th dividend increase since Matthews became a publicly traded stock in July 1994.

Matthews International Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries. Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking products, and merchandising solutions. The Company's products and services include cast bronze memorials and other memorialization products; caskets; cast and etched architectural products; cremation equipment and cremation-related products; mausoleums; brand management; printing plates and cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries; marking and coding equipment and consumables, and industrial automation products for identifying, tracking and conveying various consumer and industrial products, components and packaging containers; and merchandising display systems and marketing and design services.

OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE) Jan. 8, 2010 Oklahoma, OK announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the company's annual dividend to $1.45 per share from $1.42 per share.

The increase is effective with its first-quarter 2010 dividend of $0.3625 per common share of stock, to be paid Jan. 29, 2010, to shareowners of record Jan. 8, 2010. This continues an uninterrupted string of quarterly dividends dating back to 1947.

"We are pleased to be able to increase our dividend again this year," said Pete Delaney, chairman, president and CEO of OGE Energy. "As we operate in a challenging economy, we are controlling costs and maintaining our company's strong financial position. This enables us to continue our commitment to growing earnings and dividends for the long term."
OGE Energy is the parent company of OG&E, a regulated electric utility, and of Enogex LLC, a midstream natural gas pipeline business.

Pentair, Inc. (NYSE:PNR) Jan. 7, 2010 Minneapolis, MN recently approved an increase in the company’s quarterly cash dividend of one cent per share, effective with the quarterly dividend payable in the first quarter of 2010. The new annual cash dividend rate - $0.76 cents per share as compared to the previous rate of $0.72 per share – represents a six percent increase.

Pentair is a global diversified industrial company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair’s Technical Products Group is a leader in the global enclosures and thermal management markets, designing and manufacturing thermal management products and standard, modified, and custom enclosures that protect sensitive electronics and the people that use them. With 2008 revenues of $3.35 billion, Pentair employs approximately 13,100 people worldwide.

Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE: PFE), Dec. 14, 2009, New York, NY
The board of directors of Pfizer Inc. today declared an 18-cent first-quarter 2010 dividend on the company's common stock, payable March 2, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 5, 2010. Pfizer increased the dividend by 12.5 percent, to 18 cents from 16 cents per share.

"The board has determined that a measured dividend increase can be supported at this time," said Jeffrey Kindler, Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This increase is a testament to our commitment to enhance shareholder value and our confidence in our business and our ability to rapidly integrate Wyeth and realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. While the dividend level remains a decision of the board and will continue to be evaluated in the context of future business performance, we currently believe that we can support future annual dividend increases, barring significant unforeseen events."


Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) Jan. 6, 2010, New York, NY upped its quarterly dividend to 10 cents per share, doubling the previous quarter's payout. The company's dividend yield of 0.5% is a competitive one in an industry that virtually offers no income.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation designs, markets and distributes premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances.

The Company's brand names include Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, American Living, Chaps and Club Monaco.
Its quarterly dividend is 10 cents per share, doubling the previous quarter's payout. The dividend is payable on January 8, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 24, 2009.

The company's dividend yield of 0.5% is a competitive one in an industry that virtually offers no income.

RGC Resources, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGCO), Nov. 24, 2009, Roanoke, VA at its meeting on November 23, 2009, declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share on the Company's common stock. The indicated annual dividend is $1.32 per share, a $0.04 per share increase over prior level. The dividend will be paid on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2010. This is the Company's 263rd consecutive quarterly cash dividend and the Company's thirteenth dividend increase since 1995.

RGC Resources, Inc. provides energy and related products and services to customers in Virginia through its operating subsidiaries including Roanoke Gas Company, Diversified Energy Company and RGC Ventures of Virginia, Inc.


Robbins & Myers, Inc. (NYSE: RBN) Jan. 5, 2010 Dayton, OH announced today that its Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend payment from $0.04 to $0.0425 per share. The dividend is payable on February 19, 2010 to shareholders of record as of January 21, 2010.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter C. Wallace commented, "I am pleased to announce our fourth consecutive annual dividend increase, reflecting our strong financial position and strategy to create long-term shareholder value."

Robbins & Myers, Inc. is a leading supplier of engineered equipment and systems for critical applications in global energy, industrial, chemical and pharmaceutical markets.

Shaw Communications Inc. (NYSE: SJR) Jan. 14, 2010 Calgary, Canada announced that its Board of Directors has increased the equivalent annual dividend rate to $0.88 on Shaw's Class B Non-Voting Participating Shares and $0.8775 on Shaw's Class A Participating Shares. This represents an increase of 5% or $0.04 per share. Shaw's dividends are declared and paid on a monthly basis and this increase will commence March 30, 2010.

The Company continues to deliver solid operational and financial results which demonstrate the strength of its competitive positive and prospects for future growth. Accordingly, Shaw's Board of Directors determined that a dividend increase at this time is an appropriate use of the Company's free cash flow. Based on the January 13, 2010 closing stock price, the new dividend rate represents a yield of 4.3%.

Shaw's Board of Directors reviews the applicable dividend rates on a quarterly basis. Shareholders are entitled to receive dividends only when any such dividends are declared by Shaw's Board of Directors, and there is no entitlement to any dividend prior thereto.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications company whose core business is providing broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Digital Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business Solutions) and satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct). The Company serves 3.4 million customers, including over 1.7 million Internet and 900,000 Digital Phone customers, through a reliable and extensive network, which comprises 625,000 kilometres of fibre.

Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) Jan. 15, 2010 Schaffhausen, Switzerland announced that its board of directors has recommended that its shareholders approve an annual Swiss Franc dividend equal to $0.84 at the company's annual general meeting of shareholders on March 10, 2010.

The proposed $0.84 dividend is equal to 0.85 Swiss Francs as of January 11, 2010 and represents a five percent increase over the $0.80 dividend approved by shareholders in 2009. The proposed dividend will be paid in the form of a capital reduction and will be distributed in four quarterly installments throughout the year.



The proposed dividend will be denominated in Swiss Francs. The Swiss Franc amount will be determined based on the USD/CHF exchange rate in effect on March 8, 2010 so that the amount of the capital reduction is at least the Swiss Franc equivalent of $0.84 on such date. The adjusted amount will be announced prior to the annual general meeting.

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) Jan. 6, 2010 increased the regular quarterly dividend on its common shares by one cent to forty-seven cents ($.47) per share. The dividend is payable February 9, 2010, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 11, 2010. This is the 39th consecutive annual dividend increase.

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation is the world's leading tobacco merchant and processor and conducts business in more than 30 countries. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, were $2.6 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its web site at www.universalcorp.com.


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Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

"Bexley Public Radio Dividend Note No. 13 (Companies A through L)" by Laura Franks.


















An occasional note on dividends by Laura Franks. This is an informal collection of some information on dividend increases for mostly U.S. stocks.

Bexley Public Radio hopes this is a positive note amidst the dreadful reports from Wall Street since October 2007.

No commentary, analysis or recommendation is offered in this informal journal.

Companies "A" through "L."

Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) Atlanta, Georgia, November 4, 2009 the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics and home appliances and accessories, today announced that its quarterly dividend rate has been raised to $.018 per share.

The Board of Directors of Aaron's, Inc. declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.018 per share on Common Stock and $.018 per share on Class A Common Stock, payable January 4, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 1, 2009. This is an increase of 5.9% from the previous quarterly dividend of $.017 per share on both classes of stock.

"This is the fifth consecutive year we have increased our dividend rate," said Robert C. Loudermilk, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. "This is a reflection of the Company's performance and we believe Aaron's will continue
to grow in future periods with excellent financial returns for our shareholders."

Aaron's, Inc., based in Atlanta, currently has more than 1,665 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. The Company also manufactures furniture and bedding at 12 facilities in five states.

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: AWH) Pembroke, Bermuda, November 5, 2009 reported net income of $200.6 million, or $3.83 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a net loss of $46.4 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the third quarter of
2008. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $445.6 million, or $8.62 per diluted share, compared to net income of $163.8 million, or $3.22 diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, "We are very excited to report record operating results in the third quarter 2009 as we continue to effectively manage through the sluggish market environment.

The company's net operating income was $155 million, which is the best quarterly result in our company's history. This equates to a very impressive 22.2% annualized operating return on shareholders' equity for the quarter.
Given these continued excellent results, we are also announcing that our Board has increased the quarterly dividend by 11%, to $0.20 per share, beginning with our fourth quarter dividend."

Mr. Carmilani continued, "As we expand our footprint in the specialty insurance market, our sustained excellent results reflect favorably on the strategic decisions we have made in recent years in both our underwriting operations and with our investment portfolio.

Allied World announced today that its Board of Directors has declared an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.20 per common share, an 11% increase. The dividend will be payable on December 10, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 24, 2009.

AmerisourceBergen Corp. (NYSE: ABC) Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, November 13, 2009, increased the company’s quarterly dividend rate 33 percent to $0.08 per common share from $0.06 per common share. The board also authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program.

The quarterly dividend of $0.08 per common share will be payable December 7, 2009, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 23, 2009.

AmerisourceBergen said it will use the new program to repurchase its outstanding shares of common stock, subject to market conditions. The new repurchase program, combined with $68.1 million remaining on a November 13, 2008 authorization, provides AmerisourceBergen with $568.1 million currently authorized for the repurchase of common shares.

The company plans to spend around $350 million to repurchase its common shares in fiscal year 2010. The company currently has around 288 million common shares outstanding.

AmerisourceBergen is a pharmaceutical services firm with operations primarily in the United States and Canada.

Aqua America Inc. (NYSE: WTR) Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania November 3, 2009 water and wastewater utility holding company reported net income of $33.5m or $0.25 diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to $35.4m or $0.26 in the same quarter last year.

Aqua America said that the wet weather in the third quarter of 2009 resulted in an approximate $0.03 reduction in basic and diluted earnings per share. In the third quarter of 2008 the company's results were positively affected by a $0.02 per share gain from a utility system sale under the company's strategy to evaluate and sell under-performing operations.

Revenues for the third quarter totaled $180.8m, up 2.1% from revenues of $177.1m in the corresponding period in 2008.

The board of directors has declared a dividend of $0.145 per share for the quarter, reflecting a 7.4% increase or $0.01 per share from the previous $0.135 per share. The new dividend will be paid on 1 December 2009 to all shareholders of record on November 16, 2009.

Atmos Energy Corp. (NYSE: ATO) Dallas, Texas November 10, 2009 posted a fourth-quarter loss of $16 million, citing a plunge in natural gas consumption and prices that cut deeply into revenue this year. The company, which stores and transports natural gas to a dozen states, reported a loss of 17 cents a share for the three months that ended Sept. 30. That compares with a profit of $1.6 million, or 2 cents a share, in the same quarter in 2008.

Revenue dropped 55 percent to $650 million, compared with the year-ago period.

Like many of its peers, Atmos' results slumped considerably when compared with the same period in 2008, when energy prices spiked. Last summer, natural gas contracts fetched about twice what they're asking for now on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

For the full year, Atmos said profit increased 6 percent to $191 million, or $2.08 a share, from $180.3 million, or $2 a share. Revenue fell 31 percent to $5 billion.

The company said it expects to earn between $2.15 and $2.25 a share in the 2010 fiscal year. It also expects profits next year of $153 million to $159 million in its regulated operations and $48 million to $52 million from nonregulated operations. Capital expenditures are expected to run from $520 million to $535 million in fiscal 2010.

Analysts expected Atmos' fourth-quarter loss at 8 cents a share.

Separately, Atmos said its board of directors raised the company's quarterly dividend about 2 percent, or a half-cent, to 33.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 10 to shareholders of record Nov. 25.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADP) Roseland, N.J., November 10, 2009 approved a 3% increase in the cash dividend to an annual rate of $1.36 per share, Gary C. Butler, president and chief executive officer, announced today.

The new quarterly dividend of 34 cents per share compares with the previous quarterly dividend rate of 33 cents per share.

This increased quarterly dividend will be distributed on January 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at December 11, 2009.
The increased cash dividend marks the 35th consecutive year in which the company has raised its dividend.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADP), with nearly $9 billion in revenues and about 570,000 clients, is one of the world's largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging 60 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of HR, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP's easy-to-use, cost-effective solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine and recreational vehicle dealers throughout the world.

Beckman Coulter, Inc. (NYSE: BEC) November 4, 2009 declared an $0.18 per share quarterly cash dividend, a 6% increase over prior year, payable on November 23, 2009 to all stockholders of record on November 9, 2009, representing the company's 16th consecutive year of annual dividend increases.

Beckman Coulter, Inc. provides biomedical testing instrument systems, tests, and supplies for clinical laboratories worldwide.

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:BKCC) November 5, 2009 the "Company") announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.32 per share payable on January 4, 2010 to stockholders of record as of December 21, 2009. The amount of this dividend represents an increase of $0.16 per share over the Company`s $0.16 per share third quarter dividend.

The increase in the dividend marks a return to the Company`s practice of distributing to its stockholders an amount that is more reflective of its net investment income.* Earlier this year and in light of the previously unsettled economic conditions, the Company had taken the conservative step of temporarily reducing its dividend to preserve operating flexibility. The Company`s recent operating results warrant a return to the previous dividend policy. In addition, the Company expects to carry forward to 2010 any 2009 taxable income in excess of 2009 distributions.

James R. Maher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock Kelso Capital,commented: "We are pleased that our operating results and strong balance sheet have enabled us to increase the amount of our dividend distributions to
stockholders. There are attractive investment opportunities available in the middle-market and a dwindling number of capital providers to middle-market companies. We are excited to have the capital resources and disciplined
investment process in place to take advantage of these opportunities."

Dividends declared to stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $9.0 million, or $0.16 per share, and $26.7 million, or $0.48 per share, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, dividends declared totaled $23.5 million, or $0.43 per share, and $69.1 million, or $1.29 per share, respectively. Tax characteristics of all dividends will be reported to stockholders on Form 1099 after the end of the calendar year.

The Company's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The Company invests primarily in middle-market companies in the form of senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans, each of which may include an equity component, and by making direct preferred, common and other equity investments in such companies.

Dreyfus Municipal Income,Inc. (NYX:DMF) November 2, 2009 declared from net investment income a monthly cash dividend of $0.0475 per share of common stock, payable on December 31, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2009. The ex-dividend date is December 1, 2009. This dividend increase of $0.0065 per share of common stock from the previous dividend of $0.041 per share of common stock declared in October, is due primarily to income earned on the Fund`s portfolio securities and lower borrowing costs.

Buckeye Partners LP (NYSE: BPL) Houston, TX November 2, 2009 The Board of Directors of Buckeye GP LLC, the general partner of Buckeye, declared a regular quarterly partnership cash distribution of $0.925 per LP unit, payable on November 30, 2009 to unit holders of record on November 12, 2009. This cash distribution represents a quarterly increase in the distribution of $0.0125 per LP unit and an annualized cash distribution level of $3.70 per LP unit. This is the 91st consecutive quarterly cash distribution paid by Buckeye.

C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHRW) Eden Prairie, MN, November 6, 2009 C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc (Nasdaq:CHRW) increased the company's regular quarterly cash dividend to $0.25 per share.

The previous dividend was $0.24 per share.

The new dividend will be paid on January 4, 2010 to shareholders of record on December 4, 2009. C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is a provider of transportation services and logistics solutions.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) Cleveland, OH November 10, 2009 today announced an increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.0875 per common share.

Cliffs had reduced its quarterly cash dividend to $0.04 per share in May 2009 as part of a number of proactive steps to enhance financial flexibility.

“Cliffs’ management team responded to the sudden downturn in the global steel industry by implementing various proactive measures to enhance cash flow and preserve cash,” stated Laurie Brlas, Cliffs’ executive vice president and chief financial officer. “While difficult, those actions have allowed us to whether the financial crisis and continue to pursue our strategic plan, as evidenced by the recently announced acquisition of our partners’ interests in Wabush Mines.

“Now, our improved visibility and outlook, including projections for strong cash flow from operations in our business, have enabled our Board of Directors to restore the cash dividend to its level prior to the reduction in May.”

Cliffs indicated the increased cash dividend will be payable on Dec. 1, 2009, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 20, 2009.

Cliffs Natural Resources is an international mining and natural resources company. We are the largest producer of iron ore pellets in North America, a major supplier of direct-shipping lump and fines iron ore out of Australia and a significant producer of metallurgical coal. With core values of environmental and capital stewardship, our colleagues across the globe endeavor to provide all stakeholders operating and financial transparency as embodied in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. Our Company is organized through three geographic business units:
The North American business unit is comprised of six iron ore mines owned or managed in Michigan, Minnesota and Eastern Canada, and two coking coal mining complexes located in West Virginia and Alabama. The Asia Pacific business unit is comprised of two iron ore mining complexes in Western Australia and a 45% economic interest in a coking and thermal coal mine in Queensland, Australia. The South American business unit includes a 30% interest in the Amapá Project, an iron ore project in the state of Amapá in Brazil.

Over recent years, Cliffs has been executing a strategy designed to achieve scale in the mining industry and focused on serving the world’s largest and fastest growing steel markets.

DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV) Oak Brook Terrace, IL November 11, 2009 announced that its board approved a 25% dividend increase, raising its dividend from $0.16 to $0.20 per share annually. Payable on a semi-annual basis, the next dividend payment of $0.10 will be made on Jan. 7, 2010, to common stockholders of record as of December 11, 2009.

DeVry also announced that its board authorized a third share repurchase program of $50 million to commence upon completion of the existing $50 million program. The new program expires on December 31, 2011.

Eaton Vance Limited Duration Income Fund (AMEX: EVV) Boston, MS, November 2, 2009, a closed-end management investment company, today declared a monthly distribution of $0.1158 per common share. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of future distributions may change. The distribution is expected to be paid on November 19, 2009, to shareholders of record on November 12, 2009. The ex-dividend date is November 9, 2009. The November distribution is an increase of $0.0075 per share, or 6.9%, from the October 2009 monthly distribution rate. The last change in the Fund's monthly distribution was in November 2008.

The increased monthly distribution reflects a rise in the Fund's net earnings rate. This is primarily due to a decrease in the Fund's cost of leverage coupled with an increased allocation to high yield corporates. The Fund is managed by Eaton Vance Management, a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV), based in Boston, one of the oldest investment management firms in the United States, with a history dating back to 1924. Eaton Vance and its affiliates managed $157.0 billion in assets as of September 30, 2009, offering individuals and institutions a broad array of investment products and wealth management solutions.

Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) St. Louis, MO, November 3, 2009 reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations despite falling from a year ago.N
Emerson said it had net earnings of $506 million, or 67 cents a share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30, falling from a year-ago profit of $688 million, or 88 cents a share.

Net sales slid 21% from a year ago to $5.32 billion, Emerson said.
Analysts were looking for a profit of 60 cents a share on revenue of $5.30 billion, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

Emerson also said its board of directors approved a dividend increase of 1.5% to 33.5 cents a share.

Looking ahead, Emerson said underlying sales for fiscal 2010 are expected to be down 5% to 7%. Fiscal first quarter underlying sales are expected to be down 17% to 20%, the company said. Operating profit margin for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be flat to slightly down.


Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) Houston, TX November 2, 2009 reported its third quarter earnings per limited partners unit at 43 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and year-ago earnings of 49 cents. Before adjusting one-time items, earnings per limited partner unit reached 36 cents.

Importantly, Enterprise increased its quarterly distribution by 5.7% year-over-year to the annualized run rate of $2.21 per unit. This was the 21st consecutive quarterly distribution increase. Following the merger, Enterprise and TEPPCO generated distributable cash flow of $359 million and $43 million, respectively, in the quarter. Total distributable cash flow (DCF) for Enterprise and TEPPCO provided 1.03X distribution coverage.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is a North American midstream energy company providing a range of services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, and certain petrochemicals. Other activities include the development of pipeline and other midstream energy infrastructure in the continental United States and Gulf of Mexico.

Fifth Street Finance Corp. (NYSE:FSC) ("Fifth Street") White Plains, NY, Movember 13, 2009 announced its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.27 per share for the first fiscal quarter of 2010, an increase of 8% from the previous fiscal quarter.

First Quarter 2010 Record Date: December 10, 2009

First Quarter 2010 Payment Date: December 29, 2009

"We are encouraged that our deal origination growth has allowed us to increase the dividend," stated Fifth Street Finance Corp.'s President and Chief Executive Officer, Leonard Tannenbaum.

Dividends are paid from taxable income. Our Board of Directors determines quarterly dividends based on estimates of taxable income, which differ from book income due to changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments and due to temporary and permanent differences in income and expense recognition.

Fifth Street Finance Corp. has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan ("DRIP") that provides for reinvestment of our dividends on behalf of our shareholders, unless a shareholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend, our shareholders who have not "opted out" of our DRIP will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends. If your shares of our common stock are held through a brokerage firm or other financial intermediary and you wish to participate in the DRIP, please contact your broker or other financial intermediary.

Fifth Street Finance Corp. is a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies in connection with investments by private equity sponsors. Fifth Street Finance Corp.'s investment objective is to maximize its portfolio's total return by generating current income from its debt investments and capital appreciation from its equity investments.

Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) Charlotte NC November 2, 2009 has approved an eight percent increase in the company's quarterly dividend to 27 cents a share from the current level of 25 cents a share on its common stock. The dividend is payable January 4, 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2009.
Goodrich Corporation engages in the supply of aerospace components, systems, and services worldwide.

Home Capital Group Inc. (TSX: HCG) Toronto, Ontario November 3, 2009 has approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to 16.0 cents per share on the outstanding Common Shares of the Company, which is equivalent to an annual dividend of 64.0 cents per share. The dividend is payable on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2009.

Gerald M. Soloway, CEO of Home Capital Group Inc., stated, "This is the third increase to the quarterly dividend this year and the eleventh increase in the past five years, reflecting Home Capital's ongoing commitment to enhancing long-term value for all shareholders and our positive future outlook."

The above-mentioned dividend on the Common Shares is designated as an "eligible" dividend for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial legislation.

Home Capital Group Inc. is a public company, traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (HCG), operating through its principal subsidiary, Home Trust Company. Home Trust is a federally regulated trust company offering deposit, mortgage lending, retail credit and payment card services. Licensed to conduct business across Canada, Home Trust has offices in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) Carthage, MO, November 5, 2009 announced a dividend of $.26 per share for the fourth quarter. The dividend will be paid on January 15, 2010 to
shareholders of record on December 15, 2009.

Leggett has increased its annual dividend for 38 consecutive years, at an average compound growth rate of 14%. The company knows of no other S&P 500 company that has achieved as long a string of consecutive annual dividend increases at the growth rate Leggett has sustained.

Leggett & Platt is a FORTUNE 500 diversified manufacturer that conceives, designs and produces a broad variety of
engineered components and products that can be found in most homes, offices, and automobiles. The 126-year-old firm is comprised of 19 business units, 19,000 employee-partners, and more than 160 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.

Leggett & Platt is North America's leading independent manufacturer of: a) components for residential furniture and bedding; b) components for office furniture; c) drawn steel wire; d) automotive seat support and lumbar systems;
e) carpet underlay; f) adjustable beds; and g) bedding industry machinery for wire forming, sewing and quilting.

For M through Z companies, go to previous blog posting.

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