Dividends from a quality, well-diversified portfolio are much more predictable than capital gains and best of all, they are passive. You don't have to do anything, they just show up in your brokerage account each quarter. Inflation? Not to worry, the good companies routinely raise their dividends well in excess of the inflation rate.
This week as the weather turns cold the dividend increases heat up. Below are several companies heating up their yields with increased cash dividends:
PPG Industries (PPG) is a global supplier of protective and decorative coatings. October 16th the company increased its dividend 2% to $0.54/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 11 to shareholders of record Nov. 10. The ex-dividend date is November 6. PPG is a Dividend Aristocrat and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.62%.
El Paso Pipeline Partners L.P. (EPB) owns and operates natural gas transportation pipelines, storage and other midstream assets. October 19th the company raised its quarterly cash distribution 6% to $0.35/unit. The distribution will be paid November 13, 2009 on all unitholders of record as of the close of business on October 30, 2009. The ex-dividend date is October 28. The yield based on the new payout is 6.15%
Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) engages in interstate and intrastate crude oil transportation, terminalling and storage, as well as crude oil gathering and marketing. October 19th the company boosted its quarterly distribution 2% to $0.92/unit. The distribution is payable on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 3, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 7.38%
Universal Forest Products (UFPI) engineers, manufactures, treats, distributes and installs lumber, composite, plastic and other building products. October 19th the company bumped its quarterly dividend to to $0.20/share. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2009, to shareholders of record on December 1, 2009. The ex-dividend is November 27, 2009. The yield based on the new payout is 1.03%.
Stepan Co. (SCL) produces specialty and intermediate chemicals.
