Monitoring dividend increases for stocks on my watch list helps me identify candidates for further analysis. Companies that regularly raise their dividend payments show confidence in future earnings growth potential. This past week, 19 companies on my watch list announced dividend increases, including one of the stocks I hold in my portfolio. The following table presents a summary.
The table is sorted by percentage increase, %Incr. Dividends are annualized and in US$, unless otherwise indicated. Yield is the new dividend yield for the market close Price on the date listed. Yrs are years of consecutive dividend increases, while 5-yr DGR is the compound annual growth rate of the dividend over a 5-year period. 1-yr %Incr is the percentage increase from the year-ago dividend. (Some companies increase their dividends more than once a year, so this puts the most recent dividend increase in context).
| Summary of Dividend Increases: January 30-February 3, 2017 |
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| Previous Post: 31 Dividend Increases: January 23-27, 2017 (Part 2: Non-Financials) |
- Corning Inc. (GLW)
GLW manufactures and sells specialty glass and ceramics worldwide. The company creates and makes keystone components that enable systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, optical communications and life sciences. It was formerly known as Corning Glass Works and changed its name to Corning Incorporated in April 1989. GLW was founded in 1851 and is based in Corning, New York.
The company announced a quarterly DIV increase of 14.81% to 15.5¢ per share. The dividend is payable on March 31 to shareholders of record as on February 28. The ex-dividend date is February 24.
- Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. (BAH)
Founded in 1914 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BAH provides management and technology, consulting and engineering services to governments, corporations and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. The company assists clients in designing cloud architecture solutions, selecting the data suitable for storage in the cloud, and developing analytical solutions to gain insights from large data, as well as for developing small- and large-scale information technology applications, embedded systems and mobile applications.
The company announced an increase of its quarterly dividend of 13.33% to 17¢ per share. The dividend is payable on February 28 to shareholders of record as on February 10.
- Neenah Paper Inc. (NP)
NP was incorporated in April 2004 and is organized into two primary businesses. The technical products business produces transportation and other filter media and coated substrates for industrial products backings. The company's fine paper business supplies premium writing, cover and other specialty papers. NP is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
The company increased its quarterly dividend by 12.12%, from 33¢ per share to 37¢ per share. NP will trade ex-dividend on February 15. The dividend is payable on March 2, to shareholders of record as on February 17.
- Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP)
SMP manufactures and distributes replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry. The company focuses on heavy duty, industrial equipment and original equipment service markets. It sells its products to warehouse distributors, retail chains, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations. SMP was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York.
The company's board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend of 11.76% to 19¢ per share. The ex-dividend date is February 13, and the dividend will be paid on March 1 to shareholders of record as on February 15.
- Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (BIP)
BIP owns and operates utility, transport, energy and communications infrastructure businesses. The company operates a port facility in Australia, transmission lines in North and South America, and electricity and natural gas connections in the United Kingdom and Colombia. It also operates transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. BP was founded in 2007 and is based in Toronto, Canada.
The board of directors of BIP has declared a quarterly distribution of 43.5¢ per unit. The new distribution is 10.60% above the prior distribution of 39.33¢ per unit. BIP will trade ex-dividend on February 24. The distribution is payable on March 31 to unitholders of record as on February 28.
- Apartment Investment & Management Co. (AIV)
AIV is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust. The company acquires, owns, manages and redevelops apartment properties mainly in the coastal and job growth markets of the United States. AIV was founded on January 10, 1994, and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
The company declared a quarterly dividend of 36¢ per share, an increase of 9.09% over the prior quarterly dividend. The dividend is payable on February 28 to shareholders of record as on February 17.
- Eversource Energy (ES)
ES, formerly Northeast Utilities, is a utility holding company engaged in the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas. The company serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, the United States. It provides energy delivery services to approximately 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers. Eversource Energy was founded in 1927 and is based in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The company announced an increase of its quarterly dividend of 6.74% to 47.5¢ per share. The new dividend is payable on March 31 to shareholders of record as on March 2, with an ex-dividend date of February 28.
- Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG)
SPG is a self-administered and self-managed equity real estate investment trust. The company owns, develops and manages retail real estate properties, such as regional malls, Premium Outlets, The Mills and community and lifestyle centers. SPG was founded in 1960 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with an additional office in New York City.
Recently, SPG increased its quarterly dividend from $1.65 per share to $1.75 per share, an increase of 6.06%. The new dividend is payable on February 28 to shareholders of record as on February 14, with an ex-dividend date of February 10.
- AvalonBay Communities Inc. (AVB)
AVB is a real estate investment trust focusing on the development, redevelopment, acquisition, ownership and operation of multi-family communities primarily in the United States. The company owns or holds an interest in approximately 260 operating apartment communities in 10 states and the District of Columbia. It operates its apartment communities under three core brands: Avalon, AVA and Eaves by Avalon. AVA was founded in 1978 and is based in Arlington, Virginia.
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.42 per share, an increase of 5.19% over the prior quarterly dividend. All shareholders of record as on March 31 will receive the new dividend on April 17.
- Meredith Corp. (MDP)
Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, MDP is the leading media and marketing company serving American women. The company's publishing segment includes magazine and book publishing, integrated marketing, interactive media, brand licensing and other related operations. Its broadcasting segment includes the operations of network-affiliated television stations and syndicated television program marketing and development. MDP was founded in 1902.
Recently, MDP increased its quarterly dividend from 49.5¢ per share to 52¢ per share, an increase of 5.05%. The stock will trade ex-dividend on February 24, and shareholders can expect to receive the new dividend on March 15.
- Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG)
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, PFG is a leading provider of retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management services to businesses, individuals and institutional clients. In addition, the company offers a broad range of individual life and disability insurance, group life and health insurance and residential mortgage loan origination and servicing in the United States. PFG was founded in 1879.
On Monday, January 30, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 4.65% to 45¢ per share. The new dividend is payable on March 31 to shareholders of record as on February 17. The ex-dividend date will be February 15.
- WGL Holdings Inc. (WGL)
Founded in 1848 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., WGL is a leading source for clean, efficient and diverse energy solutions. Through subsidiaries, the company sells and delivers natural gas and provides energy-related products and services to customers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
On February 1, the board of directors approved an increase to the regular quarterly dividend from 48.75¢ per share to 51¢ per share, an increase of 4.62%. The ex-dividend date is April 6, and the dividend will be paid on May 1 to shareholders of record as on April 10.
- Avista Corp. (AVA)
AVA is a diversified energy company engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of energy in North America. Avista Utilities is an operating division of the company that comprises of its regulated utility operations. It serves customers in Washington, Idaho and Oregon and contributes over 90% of AVA's earnings. Ecova is the company's primary, non-utility subsidiary, providing energy efficiency and cost management services for multi-site customers. AVA was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Spokane, Washington.
On February 3, the board of directors approved an increase to the regular quarterly dividend from 34.25¢ per share to 35.75¢ per share, an increase of 4.38%. The dividend is payable on March 15 to shareholders of record at the close of business as on February 24.
- Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG)
HOG manufactures cruiser and touring motorcycles and conducts its business around the world. The company designs, manufactures and sells street-legal Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. Products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. HOG's financial services segment provides wholesale and retail financing as well as insurance-related products. The company was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Recently, the board of directors of HOG declared a quarterly dividend of 36.5¢ per share. The new dividend represents an increase of 4.29%. The dividend is payable on March 3, with an ex-dividend date of February 13.
- PPL Corp. (PPL)
Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, PPL is an energy and utility holding company. Through its subsidiaries, PPL delivers electricity and natural gas to customers in the United states and the United Kingdom. The company controls more than 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States.
The company announced a quarterly DIV increase of 3.95% to 39.5¢ per share. The stock will trade ex-dividend on March 8, and shareholders can expect to receive the new dividend on April 3.
- Compass Minerals International (CMP)
CMP produces minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash specialty fertilizer and magnesium chloride. The company is the largest producer of rock salt in North America and the United Kingdom and operates the largest highway deicing salt mines in these regions. CMP was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.
The company announced a quarterly DIV increase of 3.60% to 72¢ per share. The stock will trade ex-dividend on February 27, and shareholders can expect to receive the new dividend on March 15.
- Healthcare Services Group Inc. (HCSG)
Founded in 1976 and based in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, HCSG provides management, administrative and operating services to housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance and dietary service departments in nursing homes, retirement complexes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals in the United States. HCSG was founded in 1976 and is based in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
On Tuesday, January 31, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 0.68% to 18.625¢ per share. The dividend is payable on March 24 to shareholders of record at the close of business as on February 17.
- Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS)
LVS develops, owns and operates integrated resorts in Macao, Singapore and the United States. The company's resorts offer accommodations, gaming, entertainment and retail, convention and exhibition facilities, celebrity chef restaurants and other amenities. It also offers players club loyalty programs at its properties, which provide access to rewards, privileges and members-only events. LVS was founded in 1988 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The company's board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend of 1.39% to 73¢ per share. All shareholders of record as on March 23 will receive the new dividend on March 31.
- Welltower Inc. (HCN)
Founded in 1970, HCN is an independent equity real estate investment trust headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. The company invests in senior living communities, medical office buildings, inpatient and outpatient medical centers and life science facilities. It owns more than 1,400 properties in major, high-growth markets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. HCN was formerly known as Health Care REIT, Inc.
HCN will pay a quarterly dividend of 87¢ per share, an increase of 1.16% over the previous quarterly dividend. The dividend is payable on February 21 to shareholders of record as on February 7. HCN will trade ex-dividend on February 3.
Please note that I'm not recommending any of these stocks. Readers should do their own research on these companies before buying shares.
As a bonus, I'm including a chart from F.A.S.T. Graphs for one of the dividend raisers, HOG, which yields 2.59% and has an impressive 5-year dividend growth rate of 24.1%:
The stock's price line (in black) is right at the orange line, meaning it is trading at about fair value. On the other hand, HOG's normal P/E ratio is 18.8, whereas it is trading at about 15.0 now. Perhaps there is some upside potential for HOG.
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