Union Pacific Boasts Long Dividend History

has rewarded shareholders for more than a century. The nation's largest rail operator has paid a dividend for 113 years. Last week, the company declared a quarterly payout of 60 cents a share. The dividend will be paid April 2nd to shareholders of record Feb. 29. Union Pacific raised its dividend twice in 2011. It last hiked its payout by 26% to the current 60 cents a share in November. The company's quarterly dividend has more than doubled in three years.

On an annual basis, Union Pacific pays $2.40 a share, which works out to a current yield of about 2.1%. That represents the third-highest yield among the seven dividend-paying stocks in the Transportation-Rail group. At 97, Union Pacific has the highest Composite Rating in the 11-member group. Last month, the company announced record Q4 and full-year 2011 results. Union Pacific's quarterly earnings grew 28% to $1.99 a share as price hikes and improved volumes offset a 28% surge in fuel costs. The gain was the best in three quarters.

Source: Investors.com

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