Investing in Dividend Stocks is a long-term strategy. Frequent buying and selling of dividend stocks can significantly increase your expenses and taxes, thus lowering your returns. A growing dividend is a strong indication of a company's increasing intrinsic value. Great companies that increase dividends tend to have rising share prices over time. Holding only first-rate businesses protects your dividend streams and helps ensure you'll also get steady price appreciation.
Below are several companies building future returns with higher cash dividends:
BCE (BCE) is a Canadian wireline and wireless telecommunications company. December 10th the company raised its annual dividend 7.7% to $1.97/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 5.5%.
Occidental (OXY) has global exploration and production operations. Its subsidiary, OxyChem, is one of the largest U.S. merchant marketers of chlorine and caustic soda. December 10th the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.46/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.02%.
General Electric (GE) sells products ranging from jet engines and gas turbines to consumer appliances, railroad locomotives and medical equipment. It also owns NBC Universal, and is a leading provider of consumer and commercial financing. December 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 25 to shareholders of record on Dec. 27. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 22. The yield based on the new payout is 3.27%.
Honeywell (HON) is the world's largest maker of cockpit controls, small jet engines and climate control equipment and also makes industrial materials and automotive products. December 10th the company increased its annual dividend 10% to $1.33/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.55%.
Horace Mann (HMN) is an insurance holding company that markets and underwrites personal lines of property and casualty insurance, retirement annuities and life insurance. December 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 37% to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable on Dec. 31 to shareholders on record as of Dec. 20. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 16. The yield based on the new payout is 2.48%.
Iron Mountain (IRM) provides information protection and storage services. December 13th the company increased its quarterly dividend 200% to $0.1875/share. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011 to stockholders of record on December 27, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%.
Dynex Capital (DX) invests principally in single-family residential and commercial mortgage loans and securities. December 13th the company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2011 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1%.