I typically try to summarize each week's
dividend increases in the news by outlining the company that raised distributions and whether it is an achiever or not. Just because I list a stock in an article however does not mean I am recommending it. Identifying the dividend raisers each week however helps me in finding out
quality dividend stocks which either should be bought on dips or after they have raised distributions for at least a decade. Even if a list contains some interesting stock ideas however, this does not mean that one should blindly enter a position in such securities. Only after one understands whether such a stock could grow earnings into the future in order to support a growing dividend, should they start accumulating a position over time.
Questar Corp (STR), which engages in gas and oil exploration and production, midstream field services, energy marketing, interstate gas transportation, and retail gas distribution businesses, increased its quarterly dividend by 4% to 13 cents per share. Questar Corp is a dividend aristocrat, which has raised distributions for 30 consecutive years in a row. The stock currently yields only 1.30%.
Stryker Corporation (SYK), which operates as a medical technology company worldwide, has declared a cash transition dividend of $0.10 per share, payable December 16, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 18, 2009. The transition dividend will increase the total dividends paid in 2009 to $0.50 per share, up 52% from the $0.33 per share paid in 2008. Subject to further action by the Company's Board of Directors, the Company anticipates the first quarterly dividend to be paid in January 2010 at a targeted quarterly rate of $0.15 per share. Stryker Corporation is a dividend achiever, which has raised distributions for 16 consecutive years in a row. The stock yields 1.30%, based off its new quarterly rate of 15 cents/share.
Middlesex Water Company (MSEX), which operates as a food company in North America and internationally, increased its quarterly dividend by 2.5% to 20.50 cents per share.
