Dividend Scan: CHFC, APA, TIS, GNTX, HD, ALV, BKS, SAH, DDR, FTF

Falling home prices in major US cities, and rise in oil prices following intensifying Libyan tension have pushed the US market to a negative corner during the mid-day trading. Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.41 percent or 51.08 points to 12,340.17. Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.97 percent or 27.50 points to 2,806.45, and the Standard and Poor's 500 lost 0.64 percent or 8.59 points to 1,334.42. Amid the negative movement, several companies declared their annual and quarterly dividends. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here. Chemical Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CHFC) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on March 18, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 4, 2011. However, shares of the company lost 0.39 percent or $0.08 to $20.52 during the day's trading. Shares of Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA) gained 0.23 percent or $0.28 to $120.29 as the company announced a regular cash dividend of 15 cents per share, payable on May 23, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 22, 2011. Orchids Paper Products Company (AMEX: TIS) declared a dividend of $0.10 per outstanding share, payable on March 28, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 7, 2011. Shares of the company added 1.02 percent or $0.12 to $12.03. Gentex Corp. (Nasdaq: GNTX) raised its quarterly cash dividend by 9 percent to 12 cents per share. Shares of the company slipped 0.22 percent or $0.07 to $32.26 in the mid-day trading. Shares of Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) added 0.49 percent or $0.19 to $38.67. The company declared a 6 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to 25 cents per share. Autoliv Inc. (NYSE: ALV) announced an 8 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to 43 cents per share, payable on June 2, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 5, 2011. Shares of the company lost 1.36 percent or $1.03 to $74.72. Shares of Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) tumbled 8.49 percent or $1.58 to $17.03 amid reports that the company has suspended its dividend. Sonic Automotive Inc. (NYSE: SAH) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2011. Shares of the company lost 2.23 percent or $0.33 to $14.47. Shares of Developers Diversified Realty Corp. (NYSE: DDR) slipped 0.14 percent or $0.02 to $13.98. The company declared a dividend of $0.50 per depository share, payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2011. Franklin Templeton Limited (AMEX: FTF) announced a dividend of $0.083 per share, payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 28, 2011. Shares of the company slipped 1.36 percent or $0.18 to $13.05.... Read more