It's still a perfect time to look for more opportunities in dividend-paying stocks. Interest rates will remain low for months - as noted at last week's Federal Open Market Committee meeting - and dividend-paying companies continue to hike payouts.
Go-to saving instruments like money markets and CDs pay next to nothing. Stocks that sport attractive and growing dividends, many with yields high enough to compete with bonds, are today's best option for income seekers. Plus, dividend stocks offer an added bonus of potential capital appreciation.
Last week, 64 companies hiked payouts to shareholders, including BP Plc. (NYSE ADR: BP). Twelve companies issued special dividends.
Following are 35 notable dividend enrichments announced during the week ending Oct. 31.
Dividend-Paying Stocks That Just Raised Payouts
AFLAC Inc. (NYSE: AFL) upped its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.39 a share for a 2.61% yield.
Alexander & Baldwin Inc. (NYSE: ALEX) boosted its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05 a share for a 0.50% yield.
Amerisafe Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF) announced a special $1-per-share dividend payable on Dec. 26 to shareholders of record Dec. 12.
Atlas Energy LP (NYSE: ATLS) raised its quarterly dividend 6.1% to $0.52 a share for a 5.54% yield.
BP Plc. (NYSE ADR: BP) boosted its quarterly dividend 2.5% to $0.60 a share for a 5.38% yield.
CBS Outdoor Americas Inc. (NYSE: CBSO) declared a special $4.56 per share dividend payable on Dec. 31 to shareholders of record Nov. 20. Stockholders have the option to receive their special dividend in all cash or all stock.
Chase Corp. (NYSEMKT: CCF) increased its annual dividend 33.3% to $0.60 a share for a 1.67% yield.
Churchill Downs Inc. (NYSE: CHDN) upped its quarterly dividend 15% to $1 a share for a 1% yield. This marks the fourth consecutive year the company has increased its dividend. CHDN has now doubled its dividend rate from 2011.
Columbia Sportswear Co. (Nasdaq: COLM) lifted its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.15 a share for a 1.45% yield.
Dine Equity Inc. (NYSE: DIN) raised its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.875 a share for a yield approaching 4%. "The meaningful increase in our quarterly cash dividend underscores our confidence in the future of our business," said Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer Julia A. Stewart.
If you aren't a Money Morning Member, sign up now for free to see 25 more dividend-paying stocks that just raised payouts. You'll also get this dividend investing report with three superior picks to help grow your income: The Best Dividend Strategy for Building Fortune in a Low-Yield Era
Emerge Energy Services LP (NYSE: EMES) increased its quarterly payout $0.21 to $1.38 a share for a 6.34% yield.
First Mid-Illinois Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBH) fattened its quarterly dividend $0.03 to $0.29 a share for a 2.8% yield.
Gorman-Rupp Co. (NYSEMKT: GRC) goosed its quarterly payout a penny to $0.10 a share for a 1.26% yield.
Hennessy Advisors Inc. (Nasdaq: HNNA) boosted its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05 a share for a near 1% yield.
JMP Group Inc. (NYSE: JMP) juiced its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.07 a share for a 3.3% yield. The boost marks the fifth consecutive quarter in which the company has raised its dividend.
John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. (Nasdaq: JBSS) announced a special $1.50 per share dividend payable on Dec. 12 to shareholders of record Dec. 3.
Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (NYSE: JLL) raised its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.25 a share for a 3.37% yield.
Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LECO) increased its quarterly payout $0.06 to $0.29 a share for a 1.6% yield.
Macquarie Infrastructure Co. LLC (NYSE: MIC) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.03 to $0.98 a share for a 5.3% yield. The company said it believes its dividend can grow at a rate of 12% per year over at least the next two years.
Midcoast Energy Partners LP (NYSE: MEP) juiced its quarterly dividend 3.8% to $0.33 a share for an 8.4% yield.
Moelis & Co. (NYSE: MC) announced a special $1 per share dividend payable on Nov. 24 to shareholders of record Nov. 10.
NGL Energy Partners LP (NYSE: NGL) increased its quarterly dividend 3.4% to $0.608 a share for a 7.10% yield.
Oaktree Capital Group LLC (NYSE: OAK) upped its quarterly payout $0.07 to $0.62 a share for a 5.22% yield.
Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: PDM) raised its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.21 a share for a 4.32% yield.
Precision Drilling Corp. (NYSE: PDS) increased its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.06 a share for a 3% yield.
Regal Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: RGL) announced a special $1 per share dividend payable on Dec. 15 to shareholders of record Dec. 4. Last week, the movie theater chain said it is considering a possible sale.
S&T Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: STBA) boosted its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.18 a share for a 2.61% yield.
SandRidge Permian Trust (NYSE: PER) sweetened its quarterly dividend 3.8% to $0.656 a share for a whopping 25.51% yield.
Seadrill Partners LLC (NYSE: SDLP) hiked its quarterly dividend 1.8% to $0.55 a share for a yield just shy of 9%.
Symetra Financial Corp. (NYSE: SYA) announced a special $1.30 per share dividend payable on Nov. 21 to shareholders of record Nov. 7.
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. (NYSE: AMTD) raised its quarterly payout $0.03 to $0.15 a share for a 1.78% yield.
Territorial Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: TBNK) hiked its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.16 a share for a 2.8% yield.
Tompkins Financial Corp. (NYSEMKT: TMP) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.42 a share for a 3.35% yield.
United Bancshares Inc. OH (Nasdaq: UBOH) upped its quarterly dividend 14.3% to $0.08 a share for a 2.06% yield.
Wynn Resorts Ltd. (Nasdaq: WYNN) increased its quarterly dividend a quarter to $1.50 a share for a 3.16% yield. The casino operator also announced a special $1 per share dividend payable on Nov. 25 to shareholders of record Nov. 12.
Don't forget to claim your free dividend-paying stocks report: The Best Dividend Strategy for Building a Fortune in the Low-Yield Era
Now for Today's Top Story: As expected, the Fed finally ended its massive bond-buying program. Now the market will turn its focus to interest rates. Will the Fed raise rates next year? If so, what effects will that have? Here's what will cause us nightmares - and what we can do to avert a crisis in our investments...