23 Stocks Increasing Shareholder Wealth With Higher Dividends

Dividend growth investing is a long-term strategy. A growing dividend is a sign that the company is becoming more valuable. Companies that consistently increase dividends tend to have steadily rising share prices and the best way to benefit from this is to buy and hold the stocks. Diversification and a focus on blue-chip stocks provides insurance for the few companies that don't pan out. Below are several companies that are increasing shareholder wealth by raising their cash dividends: The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) engages in finding, producing, gathering, processing, and transporting natural gas primarily in the United States. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.5% to $0.25875 per share. The dividend is payable March 26, 2012, to holders of record at the close of business on March 9. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%. Schlumberger Limited (SLB) supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.275 per share. The dividend is payable on April 13, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 22, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%. IDACORP, Inc. (IDA) Idaho Power Company, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, and purchase of electric energy in the United States. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.33 per share. The dividend is payable February 29, 2012 to IDACORP shareholders of record on February 6, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.2%. The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. (MW) operates as a specialty retailer of men's suits in the United States and Canada. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.18 per share. The dividend is payable on March 23, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.5% to $0.2025 per share. The dividend is payable on March 9, 2012, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.4%. Pall Corporation (PLL) manufactures and markets filtration, purification, and separation products and integrated systems solutions worldwide. January 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.21 cents per share. The dividend is payable on February 21, 2012, to shareholders of record on the close of business on February 7, 2012. This is the 8th consecutive year the company has increased its cash dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 1.4%. Crosstex Energy, L.P. (XTEX) Crosstex Energy Services, L.P. operates as an independent midstream energy company.123... Read more