Monday, February 27, 2012

Seventeen Consistent Dividend Raisers in the News

Each week I list out the companies whose Board’s of Directors has approved an increase in distributions. I then further narrow the list by including only companies which have shown commitment to raising distributions for at least five years in a row. 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.

There were 17 stocks which announced dividend hikes over the past week:

The Chubb Corporation (CB), through its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 5.10% to 41 cents/share. This dividend aristocrat has raised distributions for 47 years in a row. Yield: 2.50% (analysis)

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW) is a publicly owned asset management holding company. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 9.70% to 34 cents/share. This dividend champion has raised distributions for 25 years in a row. Yield: 2.30% (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 distributions by 10% to 49.50 cents/share. This dividend king has raised distributions for 56 years in a row. Yield: 3.10% (analysis)

Novartis AG (NVS), through its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products worldwide. This international dividend achiever raised its annual dividends from 2.20 CHF to 2.25 CHF/share. At the current exchange rate, the annual dividend is equivalent to $2.50/share. Novartis has raised distributions for 15 consecutive years. Yield: 4.30% (analysis)

Essex Property Trust, Inc., (ESS) is a real estate investment trust (REIT), which engages in the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development, and redevelopment of apartment communities primarily in the West Coast of the United States. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 5.80% to $1.10/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 18 years in a row. Yield: 3.10%

Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (IPCC), through its subsidiaries, provides personal automobile insurance with a concentration on nonstandard auto insurance in the United States. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 25% to 22.50 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 10 years in a row. Yield: 1.60%

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR), together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products and services worldwide. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 3.80% to 27 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 17 years in a row. Yield: 1.50%

The Gap, Inc. (GPS) operates as a specialty retailing company. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 11.10% to 12.50 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 8 years in a row. Yield: 2.70%

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing integrated circuits (ICs) used in industrial, automotive, consumer, and communication applications. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 20% to 30 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 10 years in a row. Yield: 3.10%

MOCON, Inc. (MOCO) develops, manufactures, markets, and services measurement, analytical, and monitoring products to detect, measure, and analyze gases and other chemical compounds. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 5% to 10.50 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 10 years in a row. Yield: 2.70%

TELUS Corporation (TU) provides telecommunications products and services primarily in Canada. The company raised its quarterly distributions to 61 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 9 years in a row. Yield: 4.30%

Rogers Communications, Inc. (RCI) operates as a communications and media company in Canada. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 8.20% to 39.50 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 7 years in a row. Yield: 4.10%

Imperial Oil Limited (IMO) engages in the exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 9.10% to 12 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 20 years in a row. Yield: 1%

Tim Hortons Inc. (THI) develops, franchises, and operates quick service restaurants primarily in Canada and the United States. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 23.50% to 21 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 5 years in a row. Yield: 1.60%

Torchmark Corporation (TMK), through its subsidiaries, provides individual life and supplemental health insurance products, and annuities to middle income households. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 25% to 15 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 7 years in a row. Yield: 1.30%

Flowserve Corporation (FLS) engages in the design, manufacture, distribution, and service of industrial flow management equipment. The company raised its quarterly distributions by 12.50% to 36 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 6 years in a row. Yield: 1.30%

Texas Pacific Land Trust (TPL) engages in the sale, lease, and management of land in the United States. The company raised its annual distributions by 9.50% to 23 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 7 years in a row. Yield: 0.50%

Not all stocks on this list are buys at current prices. Dividend investors need to screen these names using their basic valuation criteria. The next step would be tofamiliarize themselves with the nature of each company's business before even considering initiating or adding to their positions in any of the stocks listed above.

Full Disclosure: Long CB

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