9 Dividend Stocks Enriching Their Shareholders

In one form or another, I get the this question, “What do you think of the market? Where’s it headed?” Normally, I politely respond as expected, but occasionally I will startle the person with a reply like, “I don’t know. For me it really doesn’t matter much.” My investing goals are not defined by movements in the market. Instead of looking at the market and its direction, dividend investors should focus on quality, price and ultimate value of individual stocks.

Below are several companies enriching their shareholders by raising their cash dividends:

MFA Financial (MFA) is a real estate investment trust that invests in ARM-MBS, which are primarily secured by pools of mortgages on single family residences. October 1st the trust increased its quarterly quarterly dividend 18% to $0.225/share. The dividend is payable on October 29, 2010 to stockholders of record on October 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 11.39%.

American Financial Group (AFG) provides specialty and multi-line property and casualty insurance, and sells tax-deferred annuities. October 1st the company raised its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.1625/share. The dividend is payable on October 25, 2010 to holders of record on October 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.15%.

Thor Industries (THO) is engaged in manufacturing and selling a range of recreation vehicles, and small and mid-size buses. October 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend 43% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on October 29, 2010 to shareholders of record on October 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 14, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.15%.

WD-40 Company (WDFC) produces WD-40 and 3-IN-ONE Oil lubricants; Lava and Solvol heavy-duty hand cleaners; and X-14, 2000 Flushes, Carpet Fresh and Spot Shot household cleaning products. October 1st the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.76%.

Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) provides service to some 590,000 residential, 61,000 commercial and 900 industrial sales customers in Oregon and southwestern Washington. October 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.435/share. The dividend will be paid November 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on October 29, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 27, 2010. NWN is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.59%.

Senior Housing Properties (SNH) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with 298 properties located in 35 states and Washington, D.C. October 4th the trust raised its quarterly dividend to $0.37/share. The dividend is payable on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record on Nov. 12. The ex-dividend date is Nov. 10. The yield based on the new payout is 6.11%.

West Pharmaceutical (WST) manufactures components and systems for injectable drug delivery and plastic packaging and delivery system components. October 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.25% to $0.17/share. The dividend will be paid on November 3, 2010 to shareholders of record on October 20, 2010. WST is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.99%.

Collectors Universe (CLCT) provides value-added grading, authentication and information services and products to dealers and collectors of high-end collectibles. October 6th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.325/share. The dividend is payable on November 19, 2010 to stockholders of record on November 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 9.3%.

Artesian Resources (ARTNA) distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal, and utility customers in the state of Delaware. October 6th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.1892/share. The dividend is payable on November 19, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4%.

RPM International Inc. (RPM) makes specialty coatings and products for the structural waterproofing and corrosion control markets, as well as products for the consumer, do-it-yourself, and hobby markets. October 7th the company raised its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on October 29, 2010, to stockholders of record as of October 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date is October 14, 2010. RPM is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.

Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned securities. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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