Dividend Scan: DFS, FITB, CRR, MRX, MAA, NI

Amid the downward movement of the US market following Federal Reserve's rejection of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) dividend hike plan, several companies declared their future dividend plans. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here. Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) announced an increase in its quarterly dividend by 6 cents per share from its previous 2 cents a share. DFS gained 3.33 percent or $0.74 to $22.99. Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) raised its quarterly dividend to 6 cents a share from its previous one cent a share. Despite the increase, FITB was down 0.25 percent or $0.04 to $13.81. Carbo Ceramics Inc (NYSE: CRR) plans to pay a quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share, payable on May 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 2, 2011. CRR lost 0.25 percent or $0.33 to $130.75. Medicis Pharmaceutcial Corporation (NYSE: MRX) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 a share, payable on April 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 1, 2011. However, MRX slipped 1 percent or $0.38 to $29.73. Mid-America Apartment Communications Inc (NYSE: MAA) lost 1.29 percent or $0.80 to $61.15 despite declaring a quarterly common dividend of $0.6275 per share. The dividend is payable on April 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2011. NiSource Inc (NYSE: NI) announced a quarterly common dividend of 23 cents per share, payable on May 20, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 29, 2011. NI was down 0.70 percent or $0.12 to $18.57.... Read more