The Highest-Yielding Utilities Worth Your Time

What's more, reinvesting dividends acts as a "bear-market protector and return accelerator," according to Siegel. The extra shares purchased and accumulated at higher dividend yields during down periods act as a protector in falling markets, and these extra shares turn into a "return accelerator" when prices rise. As the recent economic crisis illustrated all too well, however, you can't buy just any high-yielding stock. Dividends that get cut or suspended entirely can wreak havoc on a stock price -- and, thus, your portfolio.... more

The Reaves Utility Income Fund Announces Regular Monthly Dividend of $0.125 Per Share

The Reaves Utility Income Fund (NYSE Amex: UTG) announced today the next three monthly dividends, at a rate of $0.125 per common share per month, unchanged from the per share rate paid for the previous quarter. The dividend represents an annualized yield of 6.0% based on the current market price. As of July 5, 2011, the Fund’s market price was $25.01 per share and its net asset value was $24.55 per share.... more

SunAmerica Closed-End Funds Announce Estimated Sources of Dividend Distributions

SunAmerica Focused Alpha Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE: FGF) and SunAmerica Focused Alpha Large-Cap Fund, Inc. (NYSE: FGI), (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), today announced the estimated amounts of the sources of each Fund’s second quarterly dividend distribution of $0.05 per share of common stock declared on June 15, 2011 and payable on July 6, 2011 and the cumulative dividend distributions paid year-to-date.... more

WGL Holdings, Inc. and Washington Gas Light Company Revise Record Date for Dividends Previously Declared on June 30, 2011

WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: WGL) declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.3875 per share of common stock on June 30, 2011. The quarterly dividend is payable Aug. 1, 2011, to shareholders of record as of July 20, 2011, instead of the previously reported date of July 8, 2011.... more

Popular, Inc. Declares Dividends on Preferred Stock, Announces Distribution on Trust Preferred Securities

Popular, Inc. (Nasdaq: BPOP) announced today that it has declared the following monthly cash dividends on its outstanding shares of Non-cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock: a monthly cash dividend of $0.1328125 per share of 6.375% Non-cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2003 Series A, payable on August 1, 2011 to holders of record as of July 15, 2011; and a monthly cash dividend of $0.171875 per share of 8.25% Non-cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series B, payable on August 1, 2011 to holders of record as of July 15, 2011. The Corporation also announced the declaration of the following monthly distributions on its outstanding Trust Preferred Securities: a monthly distribution of $0.13958333 per security of 6.70% Cumulative Monthly Income Trust Preferred... more

10 Mid Caps to Rule Them All

Here are the choices for the previous seven weeks: Jazz Pharmaceuticals Thompson Creek Metals American Water Works Sohu Gafisa Arch Coal Bank of Hawaii This week I'd like to highlight a household name in retailing with both the young and old crowd -- Foot Locker (NYSE: FL) .... more

12 Financial Sector Dividends Ready to Shoot Higher

Today, we take a look at 12 financial institutions that are poised to increase dividends as they continue to recover from the financial crisis. All of these stocks paid exceptionally higher dividends before the crisis hit, so they are prime candidates to increase dividends considerably in upcoming quarters. Earlier this year, the Fed concluded that several banks have adequate reserves to renew dividend payments to shareholders. Now that many institutions have laid out their plans, investors can trade on bank statements regarding dividends going forward. For macro investors, renewed dividend payments may be a sign of increased confidence by executives eager to reward shareholders with cash sitting on the balance sheet. Huntington Bancshares Inc (HBAN): At this point in the financial crisis... more

8 Large-Cap Dividend Stocks With Excellent Dividend Trends

If you’re looking for sources of dividend income, there are several considerations to keep in mind.Dividend yields above 7% and payout ratios above 35% may be unsustainably large. Cash flow trends should also be positive enough to indicate that the company can keep funding the dividend. And an increasing dividend is also a good sign because it shows that management is confident in the company’s ability to continue paying a dividend.We ran a screen on large-cap dividend stocks with these considerations in mind. We screened for sustainable dividend yields and payout ratios, increases in operating cash flow/revenue and dividend per share. Interactive Chart: Press Play to compare changes in analyst ratings over the last two years for the top six stocks mentioned below. Analyst ratings... more

UniFirst Declares Regular Cash Dividends

The Board of Directors of UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) today declared regular quarterly cash dividends of 0.0375 per share (3.75 cents) on the company's Common Stock and $0.03 per share (3.0 cents) on the Company's Class B Common Stock. Both dividends are payable on September 30, 2011, to shareholders of record on September 9, 2011.... more

Delaware Investments® Global Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. Announces Dividends

Today, Delaware Investments Global Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), a New York Stock Exchange-listed closed-end fund trading under the symbol “DGF”, declares a monthly dividend of $0.0575 per share. This dividend is payable July 29, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2011. The ex-dividend date will be July 13, 2011.... more