Dividend Scan: SSL, MDC, CSE, WMT, PNY, MYE, CNAF

The US market slipped to a negative territory as oil prices crossed $105 per barrel mark. Amid market's negative move, several companies declared their annual and quarterly dividends. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here. Sasol Ltd (NYSE: SSL) gained 1.11 percent or $0.62 to $56.55 as it raised its first-half dividend by 11 percent to 45 cents per share. MDC Holdings Inc (NYSE: MDC) declared a 7.7 percent increase in its cash dividend to $0.14 per share from $0.13 a share, payable on April 8, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 17, 2011. MDC gained 1.08 percent or $0.27 to $25.26 after the news. CapitalSource Inc (NYSE: CSE) announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on March 31, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2011. CSE added 0.54 percent or $0.04 to $7.51. Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE: WMT) slipped 0.23 percent or $0.11 to $51.96 during today's trading despite raising its dividend by 20.6 percent to $1.46 per share from $1.21 a share, payable on a quarterly basis of 37 cents a share. Piedmont Natural Gas Company (NYSE: PNY) raised its quarterly dividend by 3.6 percent to 29 cents per share from 28 cents a share. PNY added 0.96 percent or $0.29 to $30.43. Myers Industries Inc (NYSE: MYE) lost 1.10 percent or $0.11 to $9.88. The company raised its quarterly dividend to 7 cents from 6.5 cents per share. Commercial National Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CNAF) declared a cash dividend of 13 cents per share, payable on April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2011. CNAF was trading at $20.25, with zero percent change on its Friday's close.... Read more