Several notable companies raised their dividends last week. Dividend raises are not only getting more frequent, but they also seem to be spreading globally as well. A dividend raise in this tough environment indicates confidence in the business and the ability to generate free chas flow. A strong cash flow also enables companies to fund future growth internally, rather than relying exclusively on the capital markets for growth. The companies which decided to share their continued growth with shareholders by rewarding them with a dividend raise include:

Vodafone (VOD), a mobile telecommunications company with operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and the United States., raised its final dividend by 3.5% to 0.052 GBP per share. ADR holders are expected to receive a dividend payment of $0.80 for the second half of 2009 based off current forex rates. Vodafone is an international dividend achiever, which has rewarded its shareholders with an uninterrupted streak of increased dividends for over ten consecutive years. The stock currently yields 4.30%.

ACE Limited (ACE), which provides insurance and reinsurance services to commercial and individual customers worldwide, increased its regular cash dividend by 7% to 31 cents per share. ACE Limited is an international dividend achiever, which has increased its quarterly dividend in each of the last fifteen years, which it has more than doubled since 2001. The stock currently yields 2.80%.

Raven Industries, Inc. (RAVN), which manufactures various products for industrial, agricultural, construction, and military/aerospace markets in North America, increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to 14 cents per share. Raven Industries, Inc. is a dividend achiever, which has increased its quarterly dividend in each of the past thirteen years, which it has more than doubled since 2004.