All in a matter of weeks we have gone from "the sky is falling" to dropping gas prices. People weren't happy before and they are not happy now. Is change and misery the only constants left in the world? Not from where I am sitting. Each week there is a steady stream of companies raising their dividends. Below are several select companies that recently announced dividend increases:

• Kimco Realty (KIM) Raises Qtr. Dividend 10% to $0.44/Share
  
• US Steel (X) Increases Qtr. Dividend 20% to $0.30/Share
  
• El Paso Corporation (EP) Increases Quarterly Dividend by 25% to $0.05
  
• Kellogg Company (K) Raises Dividend By 10% to $0.34 Per Share
  
• Fortune Brands (FO) Increases Dividend 5% to annual rate of $1.76/Share
• Microchip Technology (MCHP) Raises Dividend 14.6% to $0.338/Share
• Baker Hughes (BHI) Announces 15% Dividend Increase to $0.15/Share
• Burlington Northern (BNI) Boosts Qtr Dividend 25% to $0.40/Share
  
• Petro-Canada (PCZ) Boosts Dividend 54% to $0.20/Share
• Ameriprise Financial (AMP) Boosts Dividend 13% to $0.17/Share

After running these companies through my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, only KIM with a NPV of MMA Differential of $6,509 warrants additional consideration. I have added it to my list of stocks waiting for a full evaluation.

MCHP has only paid dividend for six years - but it has been an impressive six year. Their 5-year dividend compound growth rate is 91.7%, 3-year is 52.5% and 1-year is 36.7%. I have been wanting to get a Tech company in my income portfolio for some time. Based on my very limited review, MCHP may be worth a second and more in-depth look. I have added it to my list of stocks to monitor.