11 Stocks Increasing Dividends Last Week

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InvestorPlace
The bullish momentum we've seen in stocks of late took a bit of breather last week. But on the dividend front, there was no shortage of companies making moves to increase their payouts. Several widely held, mega-cap firms sweetened their dividend pots last week, and leading the charge was consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG ), Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST ), Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW ) and aerospace and defense firm United Technologies (NYSE: UTX ). 11 high yield dividend stocks in total boosted their payouts. Here they are: Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG ): After Monday's closing bell, the maker of such ubiquitous household products such as Ivory soap, Crest toothpaste and Charmin toilet paper announced that its board of directors has approved a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend payout. The new PG dividend of 52.5 cents per share will be payable on May 16 to shareholders of record as of April 29. The increase marks the 55th consecutive year Procter and Gamble has raised its dividend payout. P&G upped the dividend along with announcing Q2 earnings, which came in above Wall Street forecasts. However, the company's net sales saw only a marginal advance of 1.5% over the same period a year ago, which was slightly below what the Street was anticipating. United Technologies (NYSE: UTX ): The diversified industrial and aerospace firm United Technologies dividend took flight last week, as the maker of Otis brand elevator services lifted its quarterly payout 12.9% to 48 cents per share. The boosted dividend will be paid on June 10 to shareholders of record as of May 20. Typically, the world's largest maker of elevators and air conditioners typically raises its payout every five quarters. Even though UT shares its capital with stockholders, they also have a lot of cash on hand. According to the company's CEO Louis Chenevert, UT has about $1.5 billion budgeted for takeovers this year. Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW ). The chemical, electronics and agricultural company upped its dividend to 25 cents per share from 15 cents. The 67% increased payout will be made on July 29 to shareholders of record on June 30. According to CEO Andrew N. Liveris, the company's "enhanced financial flexibility and robust portfolio of businesses" position it to deliver sustainable growth. The company also boasted that its current dividend marked the 399th consecutive cash dividend paid to shareholders since 1912. Duncan Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE: DEP ). The natural gas producer and pipeline operator fueled up its quarterly payout to shareholders, increasing its quarterly cash distribution by 2.2% to 45.75 cents per common unit. The Houston, TX-based firm said the new distribution would be paid on May 6 to unit holders of record on April 29. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD ). Not to be outdone by rival Duncan, this natural gas company also pumped up its payout last week. Enterprise Products Partners said that its board of directors of its general partner declared an increase in the quarterly cash distribution rate paid to partners to 59.75 cents per common unit. The new quarterly distribution will be paid on May 6, to unit holders of record as of the close of business on April 29. This increase represents the 36 th distribution increase since EPD's initial public offering in 1998. Genesis Energy L.P. (NYSE: GEL ). The oil and gas pipeline and refining firm poured out more cash to its shareholders while also announcing it will expand its crude oil pipeline and terminaling capabilities in Texas. The company will pay a regular quarterly distribution of 40.75 per share for the quarter ended March 31, or about 11% higher than the previous year's payout. The new, higher distribution will be paid on May 13 to unit holders of record on May 3. Separately, Genesis said it acquired three above-ground storage tanks in Texas City, with an aggregate capacity of about 230,000 barrels. Targa Resources Partners L.P. (NYSE: NGLS ). This natural gas producer also raised its quarterly its dividend last week, declaring a new cash payout of 27.25 cents per common share, or $1.09 per common share on an annualized basis. The new dividend represents about a 6% increase over the annualized rate paid last year. Plains All American Pipeline L.P. (NYSE: PAA ). Yet another natural gas firm increasing its largess to shareholders, as PAA announced it has raised its quarterly cash distribution to 97 cents per unit on all of its outstanding limited partner units. The distribution will be payable on May 13 to unit holders of record as of May 3. This new distribution represents an increase of approximately 3.7% over the same quarter a year ago. The increase is the 26 th quarter of raised payouts in the 28-quarter history of the natural gas trust.  Along with the dividend increase, PAA also said that it expects to deliver earnings that will exceed the high end of its public guidance for the first quarter of 2011. H.B. Fuller Co. (NYSE: FUL ). The specialty chemical maker gave a fresh coat of paint to its quarterly payout, as the company's board voted to increase its regular quarterly dividend 7%. The company, best known for its paint and sealant products, said it was raising the dividend to 7.5 cents per share from 7 cents per share. The new dividend is payable on May 12 to shareholders of record on April 28. Omega HealthCare Investors Inc. (NYSE: OHI ). This real estate investment trust operates healthcare facilities across the country, and last week it announced a healthy raise in its quarterly payout. The company's board declared a common stock dividend of 38 cents per share, increasing its dividend by a penny per share. The new payout will be maid on May 16 to shareholders of record on April 29. Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST ). The industrial and construction supply seller built up its quarterly dividend last week, raising its payout to 26 cents a share. The new divided will begin on April 28, and will be made to shareholders of record as of April 12. Fastenal made its announcement alongside a 42% gain in Q1 profit, and a 23% surge in quarterly revenues. Net income rose to $79.5 million, or 54 cents per share, for the three months ended March 31. Analysts were expecting net income of just 51 cents per share. At the time of publication, Jim Woods held no positions in any of the stocks mentioned in this article.