Twelve Dividend Stocks Growing Distributions

Every week I screen the list of companies whose board of directors has approved an increase in their dividend. I then further narrow the list by including only companies which have shown commitment to raising distributions for at least five consecutive years. The purpose of this exercise is to note whether any companies in my dividend portfolio are raising distributions and also to identify any hidden dividend gems. Further screening based on quantitative factors such as valuation, earnings growth, dividend sustainability could add value by decreasing the list of potential candidates for further research to a more manageable level.

Last week, there were twelve stocks which announced dividend hikes:

The Chubb Corporation (CB), through its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 5.40% to 39 cents/share. This dividend aristocrat has raised distributions for 46 years in a row. The company has managed to raise distributions by 8.30% on average over the past decade. Yield: 2.60% (analysis)

Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL), together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 9.40% to 58 cents/share. This dividend champion has raised distributions for 48 years in a row. The company has managed to raise distributions by 12.40% on average over the past decade. Yield: 3% (analysis)

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) distributes automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products, and electrical/electronic materials in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 9.80% to 45 cents/share. This dividend king has raised dividends for 55 consecutive years. The company has managed to raise distributions by 4.20% on average over the past decade. Yield: 3.40% (analysis)

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) , through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tobacco products. The company’s board of directors approved an increase in its final dividend to 81 pence/share. The total annual dividend would thus be at 114.20 pence/share, which represents a 15% increase over the payment in 2009. British American Tobacco is an international dividend achiever, which has raised distributions for thirteen years in a row. The US ADR annual dividend equivalent at current forex rates comes out to $3.68/share. Yield: 4.60%

McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) operates as a business-to-business rental company in the United States. It operates in four segments: Mobile Modular Management Corporation (Mobile Modular); TRS-RenTelco; Adler Tank Rentals, LLC (Adler Tank); and Enviroplex, Inc. (Enviroplex). The company raised its quarterly distributions by 2.20% to 23 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 19 years in a row. The company has managed to raise distributions by 12.70% on average over the past decade. Yield: 3.30%

Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS), a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development, and redevelopment of apartment communities primarily in the West Coast of the United States. This real estate investment trust raised quarterly distributions by 0.70% to $1.04/share. The company is a member of the dividend achievers index, and has consistently raised distributions for seventeen consecutive years. The company has managed to raise distributions by 5.90% on average over the past decade. Yield: 3.40%

Old Republic International Corporation (ORI), through its subsidiaries, engages in insurance underwriting business. It operates in three segments: General Insurance, Mortgage Guaranty, and Title Insurance. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 1.40% to 17.50 cents/share. This dividend champion has raised distributions for 30 years in a row. The company has managed to raise distributions by 8.90% on average over the past decade. Yield: 5.60%

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR), together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products and services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Reinsurance and Individual Risk. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to 26 cents/share. This marked the sixteenth consecutive dividend increase for this dividend achiever. The company has managed to raise distributions by 7.20% on average over the past decade. Yield: 4%

EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of natural gas and crude oil primarily in the United States, Canada, the Republic of Trinidad, Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 3.20% to 16 cents/share. This marked the 12th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. The company has managed to raise distributions by 25.10% on average over the past decade. Yield: 0.60%

Westar Energy, Inc. (WR), an electric utility company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 3.20% to 32 cents/share. This marked the seventh consecutive dividend increase for Westar Energy. Yield: 4.90%

Tim Hortons Inc. (THI) develops, franchises, and operates quick service restaurants primarily in Canada and the United States. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 30.80% to 17 cents/share. This marked the sixth annual consecutive dividend increase for Tim Hortons. Yield: 1.60%

Sempra Energy (SRE), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development of energy infrastructure, operation of utilities, and provision of energy-related products and services worldwide. It operates through two divisions, Sempra Utilities and Sempra Global. The company raised its distributions by 23.10% to 48 cents/share. This marked the seventh consecutive annual dividend increase for the stock. Yield: 3.60%

Full Disclosure: Long CB and CL

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