Dividend Stock News

The S&P 500 keeps a updated index of dividend stocks, and what they call “Dividend Aristocrats.” [warning: Excel file] BusinessWeek has more information.

…this according to the s&P 500 [pdf].

Dividends affect economy-wide statistics. Without a large Microsoft dividend payout, US national income took a hit

The Commerce Department said Monday that the sharp January drop in incomes followed a record 3.7% jump in incomes in December with both months heavily influenced by a $3 a share dividend payment that computer software giant Microsoft made on Dec. 2.

These dividend payments have had little relative effect.

In the last few years, Canadian firms have consistently increased dividend payments

“There are more of these dividend increases than there were a year or two years ago,” said Mario Richard, senior portfolio strategist at Sceptre Investment Counsel.

“They have a lot of free cash flow to be available for investments or to return to shareholders, so that’s definitely a trend that’s picking up.”

“There’s definitely a desire among investors to get more of their return up front in the form of a dividend,” said Lou Taylor of Deutsche Bank Equity Research.

Dividend announcements this last week have been quite positive.

Apparently, some CEOs may receive dividends on unowned stocks. Should normal stockholders be upset?

Another set of dividends announcements

• Hanover Capital Mortgage
• Greater Sacramento Bancorp Announces 4% Stock Dividend
• PPL Dividend Up More Than 70 Percent Since 2001
• 1st Centennial Bancorp Announces Stock Dividend

It’s nearing the end of the fiscal quarter. With it comes dividends announcements:

• Torchmark Corporation Declares Dividend
• 1st Centennial Bancorp Announces Stock Dividend
• PPL Corp. Boosts Quarterly Dividend
• Meta Financial Group Declares Cash Dividend
• Dreyfus Municipal Income, Inc. Declares Dividend
• Southwest Bancorp, Inc. Declares Dividend

Companies announcing dividends:

• PepsiAmericas declares dividend
• White Mountain Board increased the annual dividend to $8 from $1 per share

There is apparently a trend to these announcements

Quarterly dividends will increase to 29 cents from 25 cents, starting with payments on April 15 to shareholders of record as of March 24, San Diego-based Sempra said in a statement. Dividends will rise 3% to 4% annually in future years, the company said.

Reuters reports:

New orders for long-lasting U.S. made goods slipped in January and initial claims for jobless benefits rose last week, but rising business demand for capital goods showed the economy still on solid ground.