Amidst negative trends in the U.S. market, several companies declared their future dividend plans. Some significant dividend announcements are highlighted here.
Celanese Corp. (NYSE: CE) shares were down 1.42 percent, or 69 cents, to trade at $47.76 as it declared a 20 percent increase in its quarterly cash dividend to 6 cents from 5 cents.
LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE: LYB) announced a dividend of 10 cents per share, payable on May 26, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 5, 2011. Shares of the company added 0.23 percent, or 10 cents, to trade at $42.83.
Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) plans to pay its shareholders $1 billion in dividends even after the payout was blocked by a court in August 2010. Shares of the company lost 2 percent, or $1.51, to trade at $73.90.
Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share, payable on July 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on June 1, 2011. However, shares of the company lost 1.67 percent, or $1.50, to trade at $88.28.
Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR) announced a regular cash dividend of 6 cents per share, payable on May 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 2, 2011. Shares of the company were down 0.62 percent, or 7 cents, to trade at $11.15.
Shares of Harris Corp. (NYSE: HRS) lost 0.21 percent, or 11 cents, to trade at $52.11 despite declaring a quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share. The dividend is payable on June 10, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 31, 2011.
Shares of Northwest Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq: NWBI) added 0.04 percent, or 1 cent, to trade at $12.35 as the company declared a 10 percent increase in its quarterly cash dividend to 11 cents per share. The dividend is payable on May 19, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 5, 2011.