Last week marked the busiest week for dividend increases in 2009 as several blue chip companies such as IBM, Costco and Exxon Mobil raised their payouts. It is always bullish to see companies which have always rewarded shareholders with raised payouts continue operating in a shareholder friendly pattern of behavior.

ExxonMobil (XOM), which engages in the exploration, production, transportation, and sale of crude oil and natural gas, raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.42 per share. Exxon Mobil is a dividend aristocrat, which has rewarded its shareholders with an uninterrupted streak of increased dividends for 27 consecutive years. The stock of the largest energy company in the world currently yields only 2.40%. Check out my analysis of XOM.

International Business Machines (IBM), which develops and manufactures information technology products and services worldwide, announced a 10% boost to its quarterly dividend to $0.55 per share. IBM is a dividend achiever, which has rewarded its shareholders with an uninterrupted streak of increased dividends for 14 consecutive years. The stock currently yields only 2.00%. Check out my analysis of IBM.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW), which distributes facilities maintenance and other related products in North America., announced a 10% boost to its quarterly dividend to $0.55 per share. W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a dividend aristocrat, which has rewarded its shareholders with an uninterrupted streak of increased dividends for 38 consecutive years. The stock currently yields only 2.00%.