Dividend-Paying Stocks: Verizon (NYSE: VZ) plus 24 More Dividend Enrichments

Dividend-paying stocks update, Sept. 8, 2014: For the eighth consecutive year, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) raised its dividend.

Dividend-Paying Stocks: VZ
Last week, the global leader in delivering broadband, wireless, and wireline communications services upped its quarterly dividend 3.8%, or $0.02, to $0.55 per share. On an annual basis, the hike lifts Verizon's dividend by $0.08 per share from $2.12 to $2.20, for a 4.43% yield.

The enhanced dividend is payable on Nov. 3 to shareholders of record Oct. 10.

In the first half of 2014, Verizon shelled out $3.6 billion in cash dividend distributions. The communications giant has paid uninterrupted dividends since it began trading on July 3, 2000. Prior to that date, VZ traded as Bell Atlantic.

With few alternatives for yield-hungry investors, dividend-paying stocks like Verizon remain attractive due to their highly competitive distributions as well as their potential for capital appreciation.

Following are the 22 other dividend boosts and two special dividends announced during the week ending Sept. 5.

Dividend Stocks That Just Hiked Payouts

Altisource Residential Corp. (NYSE: RESI) raised its quarterly dividend a dime to $0.55 a share for an 8.58% yield.

Atrion Corp. (Nasdaq: ATRI) upped its quarterly dividend $0.09 to $0.75 a share for a near 1% yield.

BancFirst Corp. (Nasdaq: BANF) boosted its quarterly payout $0.03 to $0.34 a share. This represents a $1.36 annual dividend and a yield of 2.14%.

BlackRock Resources and Commodities (NYSE: BCX) hiked its monthly distribution 0.1% to $0.077 a share for a 7.61% yield.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Achievers Trust (NYSE: BDJ) increased its monthly disbursement 0.1% to $0.04 a share for a 6.7% yield.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE: BME) hiked its monthly payout 0.1% to $0.14 a share for a 4.62% yield.

BlackRock International Growth and Income Trust (NYSE: BGY) boosted its monthly dividend 0.1% to $0.056 a share for an 8.53% yield.

If you aren't a Money Morning Member, sign up now for free to see 17 more dividend enrichments. You'll also get this report with three superior picks to help grow your income: The Best Dividend Strategy for Building Fortune in a Low-Yield Era

BlackRock Real Asset Equity Trust (NYSE: BCF) raised its monthly payout 0.1% to $0.58 a share for a 7.6% yield.

Culp Inc. (NYSE: CFI) declared a special $0.40 per share dividend payable on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record Oct. 1. The mattress company reported better than expected Q1 2015 results Friday and said it's off to a strong fiscal start. "We have maintained a solid financial position and generated strong free cash flow, allowing us to reward our shareholders with significant dividend payments and share repurchases," the company said.

EastGroup Properties Inc. (NYSE: EGP) upped its quarterly dividend $0.03 to $0.57 a share for a 3.48% yield.

Eaton Vance Michigan Municipal Bond Fund (NYSEMKT: MIW) raised its monthly payout 8.2% to $0.065 a share for a 5.88% yield.

Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund (NYSEMKT: EMJ) increased its monthly dividend 7.1% to $0.062 a share for a 5.83% yield.

Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund (NYSEMKT: EVM) upped its monthly distribution 4.6% to $0.057 a share for a 5.87% yield.

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund (NYSEMKT: ENX) hiked its monthly payout 4.4% to $0.059 a share for a 5.8% yield.

IXYS Corp. (Nasdaq: IXYS) increased its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.035 a share for a 1.15% yield.

Just Energy Group Inc. (TSE: JE) juiced its quarterly payout 78.6% to $0.11 a share for a 7.87% yield.

Nature's Sunshine Products (NYSE: NATR) declared a special $1.50 per share dividend payable on Sept. 19 to shareholders of record Sept. 8. The natural health and wellness company recently signed an agreement with Fosun Pharma to market and distribute its products in China.

Petro China Co. Ltd. (NYSE ADR: PTR) fattened its semi-annual dividend 6.3% to $2.71 a share for a 3.53% yield.

Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust (NYSE: RPT) raised its quarterly payout 6.7% to $0.20 a share for a 4.63% yield.

Royce Focus Trust Inc. (NYSE: FUND) goosed its quarterly payout 10% to $0.11 a share. The fund recently adopted a distribution policy of paying quarterly disbursements at an annual rate of 5% of the rolling average of the prior four calendar quarters' ending net asset values.

Royce Value Trust Inc. (NYSE: RVT) upped its quarterly payout a penny to $0.32 a share for an 8.15% yield.

Salem Communications Corp. (Nasdaq: SALM) sweetened its quarterly dividend 4.2% to $0.0625 a share for a 3.21% yield.

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp. (NYSE: SBY) hiked its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.04 a share for a yield just shy of 1%.

Zweig Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE: ZTR) boosted its monthly payout 1.1% to $0.092 a share for a 7.74% yield.

Don't forget to claim your free dividend investing report: The Best Dividend Strategy for Building a Fortune in the Low-Yield Era

Now for Today's Top Story: It's impossible not to recognize that there is a new energy crisis quickly developing in other parts of the world. Here's why the lack of energy shapes the world... and moves the markets.