Dividend Scan: KSS, MGA, CME, JWN, ESS, GPC, DUF, RNR, WR

Disappointing new home sales data and escalating tensions in Libya and MENA region pushed the US stocks to a negative territory during the mid-day trading. Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped to 12,075.41, down 0.25 percent or 30.47 points, and the Standard and Poor's 500 lost 0.11 percent or 1.46 points to 1,305.94. However, Nasdaq Composite added 0.26 percent or 7.17 points to 2,730.16. Amid fluctuating market environment, several companies declared their annual and quarterly dividends. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here. Kohl's Corporation (NYSE: KSS) added 2.17 percent or $1.41 to $53.43 as it declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share. Magna International Inc. (NYSE: MGA) raised its dividend by 39 percent to 25 cents per share. Shares of Magna were down 8.58 percent or $4.78 to $50.95. CME Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CME) increased its quarterly dividend by 22 percent to $1.40 per share, payable on March 25, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2011. CME gained 0.73 percent or $2.19 to $303.59 during the mid-day trading. Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) lost 0.20 percent or $0.09 to $44.50 despite declaring a 15 percent increase in its dividend to 23 cents per share, payable on March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 4, 2011. Essex Property Trust Inc. (NYSE: ESS) has hiked its annual dividend by $0.03 to $1.04 a share, payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2011. ESS was up 0.06 percent or $0.07 to $117.57. Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) declared a quarterly dividend of 45 cents per share, payable on April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 11, 2011. However, GPC was down 0.37 percent or $0.19 to $51.64. Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE: DUF) added 2.14 percent or $0.35 to $16.70 as it increased its quarterly dividend by 33 percent to 8 cents per share. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) declared a 4 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to 26 cents. However, RenaissanceRe lost 0.19 percent or $0.13 to $66.92 during the mid-day trading. Westar Energy Inc. (NYSE: WR) added 0.38 percent or $0.10 to $26.13 as it increases its quarterly dividend to 33 cents per share from 32 cents a share, payable on April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2011.... Read more