The refrain of "wild volatility" is becoming a virtual cliché on Wall
Street these days, as traders continue their mood swings from bull to bear with
seemingly every peep out of Europe. That was the case again this week, as stocks
crumbled on Tuesday after jjjGreek Prime Minister George Papandreou threatened
to hold a referendum on the European bailout package. Stocks surged on Wednesday
and Thursday, as it became clear that the referendum had been shelved. The
political posturing on how to fund the European bailout now has taken center
stage, and that could put the fate of the deal in limbo. Until the issue is
settled, look for more volatility ahead. Amidst this opaque European backdrop,
companies continue to return profits to shareholders. This week, gaming giant
Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN ) declared a $5 special dividend. The company, led by
outspoken billionaire CEO Steve Wynn, said the special dividend will be paid
Dec. 21 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 23. Of course, Wynn wasn't the
only high-profile firm pumping up payouts. Here are 13 more companies increasing
dividends this week: Retailer Aaron's (NYSE: AAN ), which specializes in sales
and leasing of electronics, appliances and furniture, rearranged the chairs on
its dividend, boosting its payout to 15.4% to 1.5 cents a share. The new
dividend is payable Jan. 4 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 1. The new
dividend yield, based on the Nov. 1 closing price of $25.73 (the day the
dividend was announced), is 0.23%. Last week, the company trimmed the upper end
of its 2011 earnings per share, citing startup costs from its new HomeStart
business. Agribusiness conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM )
cultivated a boost in its quarterly dividend, growing its payout by 9% to 17.5
cents a share. The new dividend will be paid on Dec. 8 to shareholders of record
as of Nov. 17. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 3 closing price of
$29.37, is 2.38%. The company also said its fiscal first-quarter earnings rose
33% from last year, mostly due to an accounting gain. Without the gain, its
adjusted profit fell from a year earlier on weak margins in its oilseeds
business, and higher corn costs. Natural gas transport and storage behemoth
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (NYSE: BWP ) transported a slight increase in its
quarterly distribution to 52.75 cents per unit. The new distribution is payable
Nov. 17 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10. The new dividend yield, based
on the Oct. 31 closing price of $28.58, is 7.38%. The company also reported
third-quarter earnings that fell 15% as revenue grew more slowly than expected.
Diversified manufacturing giant Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR ) assembled a 15.9%
increase in its quarterly dividend, upping its payout to 40 cents per share from
34.5 cents. The supplier of technology and engineering services, and automation
systems for everything from biopharmaceutical companies to chemical refineries,
will pay the dividend on Dec. 9 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 11. The new
dividend yield, based on the Nov. 1 closing price of $48.31, is 3.31%. The
company managed to beat estimates for its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings;
however, revenue was slightly below expectations. Skin care, makeup and beauty
products manufacturer Estee Lauder (NYSE: EL ) made up its quarterly dividend to
shareholders, applying a 40% surge in its annual dividend payout to $1.05 per
share from 75 cents. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 3 closing price
of $118.92, is 0.88%. The company also declared a two-for-one common stock
split. Shares of EL surged 14% to an all-time high on Thursday after the company
reported first-quarter profit that surged 46%. Shopping center owner Kimco
Realty (NYSE: KIM ) raised the rent it pays to shareholders by nearly 6% to 19
cents per share. The new payout will be made on Jan. 17 to shareholders of
record on Jan. 4. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 2 closing price of
$17.35, is 4.38%. Separately, the company reported that its net income more than
doubled in the three months ended Sept. 30. Specialized welding products
manufacturer Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ: LECO ) strengthened its weld with
shareholders, boosting its quarterly dividend by 9.7% to 17 cents per share. The
new payout will be made on Jan. 13 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31. The
new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 3 closing price of $37.57, is 1.81%.
Automobile dealership owner Penske Automotive (NYSE: PAG ) put the pedal to the
metal on its quarterly dividend, accelerating its payout by 12.5% to 9 cents per
share. The new payout will be issued on Dec. 1 to shareholders of record on Nov.
14. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 2 closing price of $21.69, is
1.66%. Penske also reported a sharp increase in earnings per share, as the
dealership group sold more cars at higher prices throughout the third quarter.
Natural gas company Questar (NASDAQ: STR ) raised its quarterly payout by a
penny to 16.25 cents per share. The new dividend is payable Dec. 12 to
shareholders of record on Nov. 18. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 1
closing price of $18.74, is 3.47%. This is the company's 268th consecutive
dividend and second dividend increase this year. Questar has increased its
dividend 39 times in the last 39 years. Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX ) brewed up a
new quarterly dividend, filling shareholders' mugs with a 31% bigger payout.
The new dividend of 17 cents per share will be poured on Dec. 2 to shareholders
of record as of Nov. 17. The new dividend yield, based on the closing price of
$41.40, is 1.64%. Starbucks also announced that it plans to repurchase up to 20
million shares of its common stock. The dividend and buyback news came along
with a stellar 29% jump in its fiscal fourth-quarter profit that easily bested
Wall Street estimates. Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT ), operator of well-known
lodging brands such as St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Meridien
and Sheraton, upgraded its annual dividend payout by 67% to 50 cents per share.
The annual dividend will be paid on Dec. 30 to shareholders of record as of Dec.
15. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 3 closing price of $51.12, is
0.98%. Natural and organic grocery chain retailer Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:
WFMI ) served up a 40% increase in its quarterly dividend to 14 cents per share.
The new dividend will be paid on Jan. 24 to shareholders of record as of Jan.
13. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov. 2 closing price of $70.56, is
0.79%. Whole Foods said it saw a 31% jump in fiscal fourth-quarter profit in
what was the eighth straight quarter of same-store sales growth. The company
also said it was initiating a $200 million share-repurchase program. Mining firm
Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY ) dug up a 67% increase in its quarterly dividend,
lifting its payout to 20 cents per share. The new dividend is payable Jan. 13 to
shareholders of record as of Dec. 30. The new dividend yield, based on the Nov.
2 closing price of $15.31, is 1.31%. The move was the second dividend increase
this year for Yamana, which cited faster than expected development of its
Mercedes mine in Mexico as a partial reason for the payout boost. At the time of
publication, Jim Woods held no positions in any of the stocks mentioned in this
article.
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