Dividend Scan: EL, DV, LUFK, MFC, SIX, NYX

Amidst the positive movement of the U.S. market, several companies declared their future dividend plans. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here. Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. (NYSE: EL), which is engaged in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide, raised its annual dividend by 40 percent as it also declared a two-for-one common stock split. The annual dividend for class A and class B common shares was increased to $1.05 a share from $0.75 a share. The increased payout is expected to cost the company an added $57.8 million annually. Shares jumped 17.53 percent, or $17.68, to trade at $118.51. DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), a leading educational services provider in the world, declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.30 per share, or $0.60 annualized. This is a 25 percent increase from the prior dividend of $0.24. The dividend will be payable on January 10, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 8, 2011, with an ex-dividend date of December 6, 2011. Shares added 3.04 percent, or $1.12, to trade at $38.01. Lufkin Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: LUFK), which sells and services oil field pumping units, foundry castings and power transmission products throughout the world, today announced that the board of directors has declared a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.125 per share on its common stock. The dividend will be paid on December 9, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 1, 2011. Shares were up 1.33 percent, or $0.79, to trade at $60.02. Manulife Financial Corp. (NYSE: MFC), a leading Canada-based financial services group operating in 21 countries and territories worldwide, declared a quarterly shareholders' dividend of $0.13 per share on the common shares, payable on and after December 19, 2011, to shareholders of record on November 15, 2011. Shares lost 1.21 percent, or $0.15, to trade at $12.25. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: SIX), which owns and operates regional theme, water, and zoological parks in North America, declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, or $0.24 annualized. The dividend will be payable on December 19, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 5, 2011. Shares gained 0.99 percent, or $0.36, to trade at $36.65. NYSE Euronext Inc. (NYSE: NYX), which operates major securities exchanges, declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share for the third quarter of 2011. The third quarter 2011 dividend is payable on December 30, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2011. Shares were up 1.41 percent, or $0.36, to trade at $25.89.... Read more