Del Monte Foods' Dividends May Not Last Forever

Whether you're a beginning investor or a near-retiree, the importance of purchasing stocks that pay dividends cannot be overstated. Not only do companies that have quarterly or annual payouts provide you with a steady stream of income, they also have the potential for capital appreciation. Simply put, dividend stocks can give your portfolio what almost no other investment can -- both income and growth. At The Motley Fool, we're avid fans of dividends -- and not just because we like that steady stream of cash. Studies have shown that from 1972 to 2006, stocks in the S&P 500 that didn't pay dividends brought an average annual return of 4.1%; dividend stocks, however, averaged a whopping 10.1% per year. That is an incredible difference -- one that you'd be crazy to not take advantage of!... more

Colgate-Palmolive's Dividends May Not Last Forever

Whether you’re a beginning investor or a near-retiree, the importance of purchasing stocks that pay dividends cannot be overstated. Not only do companies that have quarterly or annual payouts provide you with a steady stream of income, they also have the potential for capital appreciation. Simply put, dividend stocks can give your portfolio what almost no other investment can -- both income and growth. At The Motley Fool, we’re avid fans of dividends -- and not just because we like that steady stream of cash. Studies have shown that from 1972 to 2006, stocks in the S&P 500 that don’t pay dividends have earned an average annual return of 4.1%; dividend stocks, however, have averaged a whopping 10.1% per year. That is an incredible difference -- one that you’d be crazy to not take... more

Allied World Assurance (AWH) Tops Q3 EPS by $1.06 on Record Net Income; Additional Dividend Announced

Allied World Assurance (NYSE: AWH) reports Q3 EPS of $2.94, $1.06 better than the analyst estimate of $1.88. Revenue for the quarter was $378 million, which compares to the estimate of $341.77 million. AWH declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share. The dividend will be payable on November 26, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2010. In addition, the company's Board of Directors also declared a contingent special dividend of $0.25 per share related to the company's redomestication to Switzerland which is expected to take place before the end of the calendar year 2010 President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, "We are pleased to deliver this growth in shareholder value by reporting record net income for the quarter of $254.5 million.... more

Evolving Systems (EVOL) Posts Q3 non-GAAP EPS of $0.18, Tops Views on Lower Revs; Declares $0.05 Quarterly Dividend; 2.6% Yield

Evolving Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: EVOL) reports Q3 non-GAAP EPS of $0.18, 2 cents better than the consensus of $0.16. Revenue for the quarter came in at $9.2 million, compared to the consensus of $10.17 million. Evolving Systems' Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.05 per common share, $0.20 annualized. The dividend is payable on January 14, 2011, to stockholders of record on December 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 8, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 2.6%.... more

Meredith Corp. (MDP) Declares $0.23 Quarterly Dividend; 2.7% Yield

The Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) Board of Directors yesterday declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, $0.92 annualized. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 30, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 26, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 2.7%.... more

Ares Capital (ARCC) Declares $0.35 Quarterly Dividend; 2.1% Yield

Ares Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: ARCC) announced Thursday that its Board of Directors has declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.35 per share, The dividend payable on December 31, 2010 to stockholders of record as of December 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is December 13, 2010. The yield is 2.1%.... more

Bank Stocks Ramp Into Close On Reports Fed To Allow Healthy Ones to Raise Dividends

Bank stocks have seen a bid late in the day on reports from the Wall Street Journal, the The Federal Reserve will soon allow healthy banks to increase dividend payments. Stocks: Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C), Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS). Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) up 3%... more

iPass Inc. (IPAS) Tops Q3 non-GAAP Loss of 2c, Narrower than Views; Declares 7c Special Dividend

iPass Inc. (Nasdaq: IPAS) reports Q3 non-GAAP loss of $0.02, 2 cents better than the consensus of ($0.04). Revenue for the quarter came in at $38.1 million, compared to the consensus of $36.60 million. Declares special $0.07 per share cash dividend.... more

Snap-on (SNA) Declares $0.32 Quarterly Dividend; 2.4% Yield

Snap-on Incorporated’s (NYSE: SNA) Board of Directors declared today a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.32 per share, $1.28 annualized. The dividend is payable December 10, 2010, to shareholders of record on November 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is November 17, 2010. The yield is 2.4%... more

Universal Corp. (UVV) Increases Quarterly Dividend 2.1% to $0.48; Yields 4.5%

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per Common share, $1.92 annualized. The dividend is a 2.1% increase over the current rate of $0.47. The dividend is payable February 14, 2011, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 10, 2011. The ex-dividend date is January 6, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 4.5%.... more