Dividends in 2005
According to the American Shareholders Association’s analysis of S&P data
1. Two companies listed on the S&P 500 initiated a dividend in March which brings the total number of net dividend initiations to five through the first three months of 2005.
2. The sharp rise in dividend initiations puts 2005 on pace to mark the third consecutive year the number of companies initiating a dividend will increase.
3. In the first quarter of 2005, 110 companies increased their dividend, a 25 percent increase above 2004’s elevated levels and 63 percent higher than 2003 levels.