15 Stocks Growing Their Cash Dividends

Throughout history there have always been great companies that stand head-and-shoulders above their peers and the competition. They are loved by their shareholders, hated by the competition and known by all. Just as all great companies have have something in common, great dividend companies also have something in common – they consistently raise their dividends each year.

Below are several companies stepping it up with higher cash dividends:

Hillenbrand (HI) manufactures and sells gasketed caskets made of carbon steel, stainless steel, copper & bronze; offers a cremation marketing system for funeral service professionals. December 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.3% to $0.19/share. The dividend is payable December 31, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.9%.

Graco (GGG) is a U.S.-based global producer of industrial pumps, valves, meters, and accessories. December 3rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.21/share. The dividend is payable on February 2, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 18, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 14, 2010. GGG is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.2%.

Erie Indemnity (ERIE) provides sales, underwriting, and policy issuance services to the policyholders of Erie Insurance Exchange in the United States. December 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 7.3% to $0.515/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 20 to shareholders of record on Jan. 5. The ex-dividend date is Jan. 3. ERIE is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.27%.

Lawson Products (LAWS) manufactures, sells and distributes production and specialized component parts to the original equipment marketplace (OEM). December 7th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable January 18, 2011, to stockholders of record on January 4, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

CapLease (LSE) invests primarily in single tenant commercial real estate assets. December 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.065/share. The dividend is payable on January 18, 2011 to stockholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.2%.

Nucor (NUE) is largest minimill steelmaker in the U.S., Nucor has one of the most diverse product lines of any steelmaker in the Americas. December 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 0.7% to $0.3625/share. The dividend is payable on February 11, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. NUE is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.

Stryker (SYK) makes specialty surgical and medical products such as orthopedic implants, endoscopic items, and hospital beds. December 8th the company increases its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.18/share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. SYK is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%.

One Liberty (OLP) invests primarily in improved commercial real estate under long-term net leases. December 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.33/share. The dividend is payable January 4, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 21, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 8.2%.

Western Union (WU) is a leading independent provider of consumer money transfer services. December 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.07/share. The dividend is payable December 31, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 16, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is the world’s second largest copper producer and a major producer of gold and molybdenum. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.50/share, announced a $1.00/share supplemental dividend and also announced a 2-for-1 stock split. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.

W. P. Carey (WPC) is an investment firm that provides long-term sale-leaseback and build-to-suit transactions for companies worldwide and manages a global investment portfolio. December 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 0.5% to $0.51/share. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.9%.

Taubman Centers (TCO) is the general partner of The Taubman Realty Group L.P., an operating partnership that owns, operates and develops regional shopping centers across the U.S. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.4% to $0.4375/share/share. The dividends are payable on Dec. 31 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 15. The yield based on the new payout is 3.63%.

C.H. Robinson (CHRW) is a global provider of multimodal transportation and logistics solutions has a network of over 230 offices in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. December 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 16% to $0.29/share. The dividend is payable on January 3, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 20, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 16, 2010. CHRW is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Edison Int’l (EIX) is the holding company for Southern California Edison. Other businesses include electric power generation, financial investments, and real estate development. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.6% to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable January 31, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

IAMGOLD (IAG) is a Canada-based mining and exploration company. December 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.08/share. The dividend is payable January 14, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on December 24, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 22, 2010. In future, the Company plans to pay its dividend semi-annually. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

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: Long NUE. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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