6 Companies Increasing Dividends

If you missed the news that a number of companies increased dividends this
week, then you're probably not alone. In a week dominated by headlines of
400-plus point Dow swings each day, it's quite understandable if news of a
half-dozen payout increases failed to hit the radar screen. But amid the wild
volatility on Wall Street, Main Street companies continue making money, and they
continue to dish out dividends to shareholders. This week's pack of payout
performers come from a host of different industries, including big media, big
mining, big financial and even one straight from the garden. The diversity we
see with companies increasing dividends this week shows there always are
multiple ways for investors to get continue getting paid even when there's
stomach-churning volatility going on in the major market indices. The following
are six companies increasing dividends amid the wild and wooly Wall Street ride:
Acme United Corp. The supplier of cutting, safety and measuring products, Acme
United Corp. (AMEX: ACU ) measured up a 17% increase to its quarterly dividend,
upping its payout to 7 cents per share. The new dividend yield, based on the
stock's closing price of $9.31 on Aug. 10, is 3.01%. The new dividend is
payable Oct. 24 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 3. The dividend increase
was the sixth such move by Acme since 2004, and the increase comes a few weeks
after the company reported a 17% bump in net sales during the previous quarter.
Broadridge Financial Solutions The provider of technology services for financial
institutions, Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR ), programmed a 7%
increase in its quarterly dividend, raising its payout to 16 cents per share
from 15 cents. The new dividend yield, based on the Aug. 11 closing price of
$20.93, is 3.06%. On that day, Broadridge also reported earnings results for its
fiscal fourth quarter. The company said it saw revenues of $2.167 billion, and
net earnings from continuing operations of $172 million. Diluted earnings per
share from continuing operations were $1.34, which excludes a $6 million charge
from costs associated with its IBM data center migration. The new dividend is
payable on Oct. 3 to shareholders of record on Sept. 15. Kinross Gold
Canadian-based mining giant Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC ) more than doubled its
quarterly profit in the second quarter, as the glitter in gold bullion prices
helped boost the company's bottom line. Kinross saw gold production rise
nearly 26% to 676,245 ounces, while revenue rose 42% to $987.8 million. The
shiny quarter prompted Kinross to raise its semi-annual dividend payout by a
penny per share to 6 cents. The new dividend yield, based on the Aug. 10 closing
price of $16.26, is 0.74%. The new dividend is payable on Sept. 30 to
shareholders of record at the close of business Sept. 23.