Discouraging comments of Ben Bernanke on oil price rise pushed the US market to the negative zone, after having a positive start in the morning. Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.35 percent or 42.35 points to 12,183.99, and NASDAQ Composite slipped 0.68 percent or 18.89 points to 2,763.67. The Standard and Poor's 500 fell 0.48 percent or 6.41 points to 1,320.81.
Amid market's negative movement, several companies declared their annual and quarterly dividends. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here.
St. Jude Medical Inc (NYSE: SJT) added 0.69 percent or $0.33 to $48.21 as it declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share, payable on April 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2011.
Luxottica Group SpA (NYSE: LUX) has raised its cash dividend by 25.7 percent to 0.44 euro per share. LUX gained 2.77 percent or $0.86 to $31.96.
Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on May 26, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 2, 2011. BMO added 0.19 percent or $0.12 to $63.95.
Royal Gold Inc (NASDAQ: RGLD) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share, payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 1, 2011. RGLD was up 1.02 percent or $0.50 to $51.12.
NutriSystem Inc (NASDAQ: NTRI) declared a dividend of 17.5 cents per share, payable on March 17, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 7, 2011. NTRI gained 1.21 percent or $0.15 to $13.38.
The Hanover Insurance Group Inc (NYSE: THG) announced a 10 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to 27.5 cents per share, payable on March 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2011. THG added 0.43 percent or $0.20 to $46.67.
International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) lost 1.22 percent or $0.19 to $16.27 despite declaring a quarterly cash dividend of 6 cents per share, payable on April 8, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 21, 2011.
Wells-Gardner Electronics Corporation (AMEX: WGA) declared a 5 percent stock dividend, payable on March 31, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2011. WGA gained 3.67 percent or $0.08 to $2.53.