A snapshot of the important news and events from the world of dividend paying companies.
Dividend Raises
WP Carey and Co. (WPC) announced that its Board of Directors has increased the Company's quarterly cash distribution to $0.512 per share for the quarter ending March 31, 2011. Payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2011, this marks the Company's 40th consecutive distribution increase.
Raven Industries (RAVN) announced that its board of directors approved a 12.5 percent increase in the company's regular quarterly cash dividend to 18 cents per share. The dividend is payable April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2011. This is the company's 25th consecutive annual cash dividend increase.
BNY Mellon (BY) authorized an increase in the quarterly dividend from the current nine cents per share of BNY Mellon common stock to 13 cents per share, which is payable on May 10, 2011, to holders of record as of the close of business on April 29, 2011.
American Greetings (AM) American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) today announced a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share, an increase of 7% or 1 cent per share. The quarterly dividend will be paid on April 21, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 11, 2011.
Raytheon Company (RTN) increased the Company's annual dividend payout rate by 15 percent from $1.50 to $1.72 per share. The Board also authorized payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per outstanding share of common stock to be paid on April 28, 2011 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 6, 2011.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Misc.
Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL) agreed to purchase the Sanex personal care brand from Unilever PLC for €672 million (approximately US$940 million). Sanex is a premium-priced personal care brand with a distinct positioning around healthy skin and strong market share positions in Europe. This strategic acquisition will greatly strengthen Colgate's important personal care business in Europe.