Add More Dividend Yield to Your Portfolio with These 30 Stocks By Diane Alter

Add More Dividend Yield to Your Portfolio with These 30 Stocks
By Diane Alter

Investors are crowding into dividend stocks not simply for their dividend yield, but also because they drive long-term performance in the stock market.

According to a recent study by Guinness Global Equity Income Fund, $100 invested in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index in late 1940 would have amounted to $17,460 by the end of 2013 if dividends weren't reinvested. But with reinvesting the profits gained from dividend yields , that $100 would have grown to a hefty $265,851.

Last week, 45 dividend increases were announced, and banks dominated the list. Seven regional banks, one Mumbai, India multinational bank, and a New York-based banking behemoth all boosted payouts.

Additionally, Banco Bradesco SA (NYSE: BBDO) declared a penny-per-share special dividend, and Bank of the Ozarks Inc. (Nasdaq: OZRK) announced a 2-for-1 stock dividend.

Following are 30 notable dividend stocks that hiked payouts in the week ending May 23.

American Water Works Co. Inc. (NYSE: AWR) upped its quarterly dividend 5.2% to $0.213 a share for a 2.6% yield. The San Dimas, Calif.-based company has been paying dividends for 313 straight quarters and raising them for 60 consecutive years.

American Tower Corp. (NYSE: AMT) raised its quarterly payout 6.3% to $0.34 a share for a 1.54% yield.

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. (NYSE: BAH) boosted its quarterly payout a penny to $0.11 a share for a 1.84% yield.

Bunge Ltd. (NYSE: BG) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.04 to $0.34 a share for a 1.58% yield.

C&F Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: CFFI) hoisted its quarterly dividend 3.4% to $0.30 a share for a 3.5% yield.

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Computer Sciences Corp. (NYSE: CSC) increased its quarterly payout $0.03 to $0.23 a share for a 1.49% dividend yield. The company's board also approved a $1.5 billion share repurchase program.

Cryolife Inc. (NYSE: CRY) upped its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.03 a share for a yield of 1.26%.

Delhaize Group (NYSE ADR: DEG) goosed its annual payout 18% to $0.53 a share for a 3% yield.

Donaldson Company Inc. (NYSE: DCI) raised its quarterly payout 17.9% to $0.16 a share for a yield of 1.63%.

Fedfirst Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: FFCO) increased its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.08 a share for 1.46% yield. When annualized, the dividend yield represents roughly 44% of net income achieved over the last 12 months.

First Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: THFF) hiked its quarterly payout a penny to $0.49 a share for a 3.1% yield.

First Midwest Bancorp. Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBI) raised its quarterly dividend 14.3% to $0.08 a share for 2% yield. The Illinois-based bank has been paying dividends since its inception in 1983, or 126 consecutive quarters.

Flowers Foods Inc. (NYSE: FLO) fattened its quarterly payout 6.7% to $0.12 a share for a 2.29% yield.

HDFC Bank Ltd. (NYSE ADR: HDB) boosted its annual dividend 26.5% to $0.26 a share for a yield approaching 1%.

Joy Global Inc. (NYSE: JOY) increased its quarterly dividend 14.3% to $0.20 a share for a 1.2% yield. "We are increasing our dividend as part of our strategy to optimize the allocation of our capital between growth investments and returns to our shareholders while maintain a strong balance sheet," Jim Sullivan, Chief Financial Officer, said in a statement. 

JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) raised its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.40 a share for a yield just shy of 3%. The dividend enrichment is reflective of the U.S. Federal Reserve's 2014 Comprehensive Analysis and Review results, as well as JPM's commitment to reward shareholders. The New York-headquartered bank also authorized a $6.5 billion share repurchase program through March 31, 2015.

Midsouth Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: MSL) moved its quarterly dividend up a penny to $0.09 a share for a yield just short of 2%. The Louisiana bank has been paying uninterrupted quarterly dividends since 1995.

NetApp Inc. (Nasdaq: NTAP) increased its quarterly payout 10% to $0.16 a share for a 1.85% dividend yield.

Neehah Paper Inc. (NYSE: NP) raised its quarterly dividend $0.03 to $0.27 a share for a yield near 2%.

Northrup Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) hiked its quarterly payout $0.11 to $0.70 a share for a 2.33% yield. The dividend enrichment marks the defense company's 11th consecutive annual increase.

Omincom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) increased its quarterly dividend a dime to $0.50 a share for a 2.87% yield. The hike comes as the New York advertising giant abandoned a $35 billion merger with France's Publicis Groupe.

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Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) boosted its monthly payout 39.3% to $0.12 a share for a 7.05% yield.

Republic Bancorp Inc. KY (Nasdaq: RBCAA) raised its quarterly dividend 6.3% to $0.187 a share for a 3.21% yield.

Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) upped its dividend 11.8%, or $0.04, to $0.38 a share for 1.6% yield. It's the luxury jeweler's 13th dividend enhancement in the past 12 years.

TowneBank (Nasdaq: TOWN) increased its quarterly payout by a penny to $0.11 a share for a 2.84% yield.

Trinity Biotech Plc (Nasdaq ADR: TRIB) boosted its annual payout 340% to $0.88 a share for a new yield of 3.72%.

United Fire Group Inc. (Nasdaq: UFCS) upped its quarterly payout $0.02 to $0.20 a share for a near 3% yield. The hike is the property and casualty company's second boost since May 2013.

Viacom Inc. (Nasdaq: VIA) raised its quarterly dividend $0.03 to $0.33 a share for a 1.55% yield. "As we increase investment in content and build our business worldwide, we remain committed to also returning significant capital to our shareholders," Chief Executive Officer Philippe Dauman said in a statement. 

Williams Companies Inc. (NYSE: WMB) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.42 a share for a 3.63% yield. The Tulsa, Okla.-based energy infrastructure company said it aims to increase quarterly dividends by 20% annually through 2016. WMB has paid dividends every quarter for the last 40 years.

W.R. Berkley Corp. (NYSE: WRB) boosted its quarterly payout a penny to $0.11 a share for a dividend yield of 1%.

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