It is well-documented that a significant portion of the historical equity returns are a result of reinvested dividends. In Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns (2002), the authors looked at equity returns from capital gains and dividends from 1900 to 2000. They determined that performance in any given year was driven by capital appreciation, but long-term returns were largely the result of reinvested dividends.

Here are 10 companies looking to increase their long-term returns by raising their cash dividends:

• Interactive Data (IDC) Raises Qtr. Dividend 33% to $0.20/Share (3.48%)
  
• Graco (GGG) Boosts Qtr. Dividend by 3% to $0.19/Share (3.50%)
  
• Hillenbrand (HI) Raises Qtr. Dividend 1.4% to $0.185/Share (4.51%)
  
• Triangle Capital Corporation (TCAP) Increases Dividend 33.3% To $0.40 Per Share (15.46%)
  
• Nucor (NUE) Raises Qtr. Dividend by 9.4% to $0.35/Share (3.14%)
  
• Progress Energy (PGN) Boosts Qtr. Dividend to $0.62/Share (6.20%)
  
• DPL Inc. (DPL) Raises Qtr. Dividend by 3.6% to $0.285/Share (5.49%)
  
• Valspar (VAL) Boosts Dividend from $0.14 to $0.15/Share
  
• Erie Indemnity (ERIE) Raises Qtr. Dividends 2.3% (4.72)
  
• Harsco (HSC) Raises Qtr. Dividend by 2.6% to $0.20/Share (3.20%)