6 Stocks Focusing On Their Shareholders With Increased Cash Dividends

Summary

• My investing goals are not defined by movements in the market.
• Instead of looking at the market and its direction, investors in dividend growth stocks should focus on quality, price and ultimate value of individual stocks.
• Below are several companies focusing on their shareholders by raising cash dividends.

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, investors in dividend growth stocks should focus on quality, price and ultimate value of individual stocks.

Below are several companies focusing on their shareholders by raising cash dividends.

RPM International Inc. (RPM) manufactures, markets, and sells specialty chemical products for industrial and consumer markets in the United States and internationally. October 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.26 per share. The dividend is payable October 31, 2014 to stockholders of record on October 20, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of October 16, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (PAA) is engaged in transporting, storing, terminaling, and marketing crude oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas, and refined products in the United States and Canada. October 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.3% to $0.66 per share. The dividend is payable November 14, 2014 to stockholders of record on October 31, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of October 29, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.

Northwest Natural Gas Company (NWN) stores and distributes natural gas primarily in Oregon, Washington, and California. October 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.1% to $0.465 per share. The dividend is payable November 14, 2014 to stockholders of record on October 31, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of October 29, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.2%.

Genesis Energy, L.P. (GEL) operates in the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. October 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.7% to $0.58 per share. The dividend is payable November 14, 2014 to stockholders of record on October 31, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of October 29, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.

Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (KRFT) operates as a consumer packaged food and beverage company in North America and worldwide. October 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.8% to $0.55 per share. The dividend is payable October 31, 2014 to stockholders of record on October 17, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of October 15, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.0%.

Thor Industries (THO) manufactures, and sells a range of recreational vehicles, and related parts and accessories in the United States and Canada. October 3rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.27 per share. The dividend is payable October 31, 2014 to stockholders of record on October 17, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of October 15, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

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: Long NWN in my Dividend Growth Portfolio. See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.

Analyst’s Disclosure: The author is long NWN. The author wrote this article themselves, and it expresses their own opinions. The author is not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). The author has no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.