Over the past week twenty-two companies announced that they would be rewarding shareholders with
higher dividend payouts. Several solid blue chip companies such as IBM, Costco and Exxon Mobil raised their payouts as well.
In order to make it easier to read through the list, I have separated the number of companies into three lists:
Dividend Achievers and
Dividend Aristocrats; Master Limited Partnerships; and Dividend Growth Stocks.
Dividend Achievers and Dividend Aristocrats
Dividend Achievers are companies which have boosted payouts for at least ten consecutive years. Companies that are members of the elite Dividend Aristocrats index, are members of the S&P 500 and have raised distributions for over a quarter of a century.
International Business Machines Corporation (
IBM) is an information technology (IT) company. The company increased its dividend by 18% to 55 cents/share. This is the 15th year in a row that IBM has increased its quarterly cash dividend. This
dividend achiever yields 2%. (
analysis)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (
GWW) and its subsidiaries distribute facilities maintenance and other related products and services in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 17% from $0.46 to $0.54 per share. This is the thirty-ninth dividend increase in a row for this
dividend aristocrat. The stock yields 2%. (
analysis)
Exxon Mobil Corporation (
XOM) engages in the exploration, production, transportation, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. The company raised its quarterly dividends to 44 cents/share, up from 42 cents/share. This is the twenty-eight consecutive annual dividend increase for this
dividend aristocrat. The stock yields 2.60%. (
analysis)
Chevron Corporation (
CVX) operates as an integrated energy company worldwide. The company raised its quarterly dividends by 5.90% 72 cents/share. This is the twenty-third consecutive annual dividend increase for this
dividend achiever. The stock yields 3.50%. (
analysis)
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., (
CFR) through its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial products and services primarily in Texas. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 4.70% to 45cents/share. This is the seventeenth consecutive annual dividend increase for this
dividend achiever. The stock yields 3%.
Community Bank System, Inc. (
CBU) operates as the holding company for Community Bank, N.A.