FirstMerit Corp. (FMER) Declares $0.16 Quarterly Dividend; 3.6%. Yield

FirstMerit Corporation (Nasdaq: FMER) today announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company's common stock, $0.64 annualized. The dividend is payable December 20, 2010, to shareholders of record on November 29, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 25, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.6%.... more

7 Large-Cap Stocks With Higher Yields Than 10-Year Treasuries

Ten-year Treasuries are still yielding less than 3%, despite a recent rebound in yields. Since that's not very much, I looked to see how easy it would be to create a diversified portfolio with higher yielding stocks.There were three primary characteristics I sought out in potential candidates. The first was a history of dividends, so I required five consecutive years of dividend payments. Second, I wanted companies that generated cash from their business operations. Therefore, I looked for companies that have reported five consecutive years of positive cash flow from operations. (Located on the cash flow statement, this number shows whether a company's business operations is producing or using up cash.) Finally, being a value guy, I did not want to overpay, so I required a price-earnings... more

17 Oversold Stocks With a Track Record of Raising Dividends

The following is a list of oversold stocks, as determined by the Relative Strength, or RSI(14), indicator. All of the stocks mentioned below have RSI(14) values below 40, which usually signal oversold conditions.In addition, all of these stocks have raised their dividend payouts over the past three years.... more

V.F. Corporation: Dividend Stock Analysis

V.F. Corporation (VFC), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sourcing of branded apparel and related products for men, women, and children in the United States. This Dividend Aristocrat has increased distributions for the past 38 consecutive years. The latest dividend increase was in October 2010, when the company raised distributions by 5% to 63 cents/share.Over the past decade this dividend stock has delivered annualized total returns of 15.80 % to its shareholders.The company has managed to deliver a 6.90% average annual increase in its EPS between 2000 and 2009. Analysts expect V.F. Corp to earn $6.19 per share in 2010 and $6.67/share in 2011. In comparison, the company earned $4.13/share in 2009.The company’s return on equity has deteriorated... more

Special Dividends Like Never Before

With the potential for less favorable tax treatment ahead, companies have been announcing "special dividends" like never before. Many of the companies are specifically citing "excess capital", so I take these payments as a sign of confidence as well. With many managers being measured these days on metrics like return on capital, it behooves the executives to lower the denominator by returning cash. My guess is that this money will end up being reinvested to a great degree. This table isn't meant to be a complete recitation of the many recent declarations, but it should give us a flavor: I highlighted in dark green the dividends that exceed 10% of the market value of the company and in light green those between 5% and 10%. As you can see, there are several substantial payments. While the... more

Laclede Group (LG) Increases Quarterly Dividend 2.5% to $0.405; Yields 4.6%

The Laclede Group, Inc. (NYSE: SR) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.405 per common share, $1.62 annualized. The dividend is a 2.5% increase from the current rate of $0.395. The dividend will be payable on January 4, 2011, to shareholders of record on December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 4.6%.... more

Renasant Corp. (RNST) Declares $0.17 Quarterly Dividend; 3.8% Yield

Renasant Corporation (Nasdaq: RNST) approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share, $0.68 annualized. The dividend is to be paid January 3, 2011, to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.8%.... more

American National Bankshares (AMNB) Declares $0.23 Quarterly Dividend; 4% Yield

American National Bankshares Inc., (Nasdaq: AMNB), announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share, $0.92 annualized. The dividend is payable December 17, 2010, to shareholders of record December 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 1, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 4%.... more

Buckle Popped: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis. What: Shares of Buckle (NYSE: BKE) popped on a bellyful of good news this morning. Third-quarter earnings beat estimates by nearly a nickel, and same-store sales grew 5%. Best of all, Buckle promised to share its cash stash with shareholders, announcing a $2.50-per-share special dividend.... more

Income Boost: High-Yield Stocks With a Track Record of Raising Dividends

When it comes to investing, timing is everything. Sell too soon or buy too late, and you've missed out on the profits that might have been. More often than not, rallies end in a wash for investors, for no other reason than poor timing. So even though the market's currently riding a bullish high, you may want to rethink your investment strategy if it's resting on your laurels. Not that that necessarily means cashing out all your gains in one fell swoop. According to strategists, it's all about hedging your bets instead. And one way to cover your backside in a mercurial market is to look for steadier stocks, like dividend payers.... more