5 Recent Dividend Increases

What separates income investors from dividend investors is the concept of a growing dividend. This dividend growth is the life-blood of a thriving dividend portfolio. The income derived from a quality, well-diversified portfolio is much more predictable than capital gains and the good companies routinely raise their dividends well in excess of the inflation rate.

Recently, the following companies announced increased cash dividends:

Myers Industries (MYE) manufactures a diverse range of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial and consumer markets. March 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 8% to $0.065/share. The dividend is payable April 5, 2010, to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 10. The yield based on the new payout is 2.52%.

NYMAGIC, INC. (NYM) is an insurance holding company whose property and casualty insurance subsidiaries specialize in underwriting ocean marine, inland marine and non-marine liability insurance. March 5th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on April 6, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.23%.

Applied Materials (AMAT) is the world's largest manufacturer of wafer fabrication equipment for the semiconductor industry. March 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.07/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.28%.

Medicis (MRX) develops and markets prescription and OTC products for the treatment of certain dermatological conditions. March 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.06/share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.01%.

Cohen & Steers (CNS) manages high-income equity portfolios, specializing in U.S. REITs, international real estate securities, preferred securities, utilities and infrastructure securities. March 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 100% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on April 16, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.72%.

In selecting the best dividend investments, one must focus on growing cash dividends over time. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: No position in the aforementioned stocks. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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