The number of U.S. dividend stocks raising payouts this year has hit its highest number since 1979, increasing investment in these stocks - which has helped the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to log 25 year-to-date record closes.
Data from S&P Dow Jones Indices shows 696 dividend boosts were reported in Q2 2014 compared to 591 hikes posted in 2013's second quarter.
New dividend increases (increases less decreases) for U.S. domestic common stocks rose to $12.6 billion in Q2 2014. While a hefty dollar amount, it's a notable 28.3% decline from the $17.6 billion in net dividend increases in Q2 of 2013.
Still, FY2014 dividend boosts are expected to hit a record figure.
"The strong rate of Q2 increases, even at the lower growth rate, coupled with the number of issues that have a demonstrated history of annual increases, translates to another strong increase for dividends in 2014," said Howard Silverblatt, senior analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Shareholder return "continues to be the battle cry from boardrooms," Silverblatt said.
"As public companies continue to be pressured to use their available cash, total shareholder returns from both cash dividends and buybacks are at record levels. The trend of higher returns is growing - more companies are paying more dividends and buying back stocks. At this point, the question is, how much growth will there be, and not will there be growth," Silverblatt added.
The number of S&P components presently paying a dividend sits at 422 issues, or 84.4%, the highest number since September 1998. Additionally, all 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average members pay a dividend.
Following are the 25 dividend-paying stocks that boosted payouts in the holiday-shortened week ending July 3.
Dividend Stocks That Just Hiked Payouts
America Movil SAB de CV (NYSE ADR: AMX) upped its semi-annual payout 8.9% to $0.18 a share for a 1.71% yield.
America Movil SAB de CV (Nasdaq ADR: AMOV) raised its semi-annual payout 8.9% to $0.18 a share for a 1.72% yield.
Bank of the Ozarks Inc. (Nasdaq: OZRK) boosted its quarterly payout 4.3% to $0.12 a share for a 1.4% yield.
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BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. (Nasdaq: BBEP) hiked its monthly distribution 1% to $0.16 a share for a 9.03% yield.
Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) raised its quarterly dividend 1.9% to $0.795 a share for a 4.45% yield. The North Carolina energy giant has distributed cash dividends for 88 consecutive years and boosted quarterly payouts every year since 2007.
Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (NYSE: EVF) increased its monthly disbursement 3.1% to $0.033 a share for a 5.83% yield.
Formula Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq ADR: FORTY) fattened its annual dividend $0.17, or 54.8%, to $0.48 a share for a 3.34% yield.
John Hancock Tax-Advantage Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) juiced its monthly payout 10% to $0.121 a share for a 7% yield.
Mainstay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund (NYSE: MMD) moved its monthly dividend up 1% to $0.097 for a 6.75% yield.
MFS Special Value Trust (NYSE: MVF) raised its monthly payout 0.7% to $0.058 a share for a 9.11% yield.
Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NVG) increased its monthly distribution 5.2% to $0.61 a share for a 5.27% yield.
Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE: NAZ) hiked its monthly payout 1.5% to $0.06 a share for a 5.88% yield.
Nuveen California Municipal Market Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE: NAC) raised its monthly disbursement 8.1% to $0.08 a share for a 7% yield.
Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 (NYSE: NZF) upped its monthly payout 5% to $0.06 a share for a 5.6% yield.
Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 (NYSE: NXZ) boosted its monthly distribution 2.9% to $0.07 a share for a 6.38% yield.
Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund (NYSE: JMF) goosed its quarterly dividend 1.9% to $0.32 a share for a 5.9% yield.
Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund (NYSEMKT: NXJ) hiked its monthly payout 3.3% to $0.062 a share for a 5.62% yield.
Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 (NYSEMKT: NUJ) raised its monthly distribution 3.5% to $0.059 a share for a 5.44% yield.
Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund (NYSE: NPV) sweetened its monthly payout 4.1% to $0.064 a share for a 5.87% yield.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE ADR: TSM) raised its annual dividend 0.1% to $0.501 a share for a 2.21% yield.
Tallgrass Energy Partners LP (NYSE: TEP) increased its quarterly dividend 16.9% to $0.38 a share for a 3.66% yield.
Watsco Inc. (NYSE: WSO) raised its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.60 a share for 2.33% yield.
Watsco Inc. B (NYSE: WSO.B) boosted its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.60 a share for a 2.35% yield.
Zweig Fund Inc. (NYSE: ZF) upped its quarterly distribution 2.3% to $0.264 a share for a 4.95% yield.
Zweig Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSW: ZTR) lifted its monthly payout 1.1% to $0.092 a share for a 7.62% yield.
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