Dividend investing news, Oct. 20, 2014: As we enter the final quarter of 2014, here's a look back at the robust dividend activity in Q3.
Net increases (positive payout action minus negative ones) rose $12.3 billion during Q3 for U.S.-traded companies. That's up from $11.9 billion, or 3.7%, in the same period a year ago.
According to data from S&P Dow Jones Indexes, 563 companies raised, restored, or approved extra dividends in Q3. That's up 18.5% from last year's Q3 tally of 475.
This brings the total number of dividend hikes so far in 2014 to 2,337, up 16.3% from 2,101 in the same period a year ago.
Dividend boosts in Q4 2014 are expected to trump Q3's activity.
Last week 23 dividend stocks, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS), raised payouts. Here's a roundup of the dividend activity for the week ending Oct. 17.
Dividend Investing: 23 New Increases
A. Schulman Inc. (Nasdaq: SHLM) upped its quarterly payout 2.5% to $0.205 a share for a 2.61% yield. "The company's strong balance sheet and cash flow from operations - expected to be in excess of $110 million in fiscal 2014 - enable A. Schulman to continue the streak of annual dividend payments that began when we went public in 1972," said Chief Executive Officer Joseph M. Gingo.
Ameren Corp. (NYSE: AEE) raised its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.40 a share for a 4.13% yield. The company expects annual earnings growth of 7% to 10% through 2018 and said future dividend increases will be driven by earnings growth, cash flows, and other business conditions.
American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) increased its monthly payout 1.5% to $0.22 a share for a 11.6% yield.
Bluerock Residential Growth REIT Inc. (NYSEMKT: BRG) boosted its monthly distribution 1.5% to $0.096 a share for a 9.6% yield.
Cordorus Valley Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: CVLY) hiked its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.125 a share for a 2.47% yield.
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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund (NYSE: ETO) enriched its monthly payout $0.03, or 20%, to $0.18 a share for a 9.38% yield.
Eaton Vance Senior Floating Rate Trust (NYSE: EFR) enhanced its monthly distribution 1.3% to $0.078 a share for a 6.6% yield.
Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD) upped its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.365 a share for a near 4% yield.
Eaton Vance Floating Rate Income Trust (NYSE: EFT) raised its monthly payout 1.4% to $0.075 a share for a 6.33% yield.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) goosed its quarterly dividend by a nickel to $0.60 a share for a 1.36% yield. The sweetened dividend came as the investment bank reported a Q3 profit of $2.24 billion, up from $1.52 billion in the same quarter a year ago. The results propelled Goldman's earnings per share to $4.57, handily topping consensus estimates of $3.21.
Healthcare Services Group Inc. (Nasdaq: HCSG) hiked its quarterly dividend 0.7% to $0.175 a share for a 2.58% yield.
Huntington Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq: HBAN) boosted its quarterly payout one cent, or 20%, to $0.06 a share for a 2.19% yield. Last week, the Columbus, Ohio-based bank was named the nation's largest small business association (SBA) lender, providing loans to some 4,183 Midwest businesses, helping create jobs.
Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE: KMI) increased its monthly dividend a penny to $0.44 a share for a 4.8% yield.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (NYSE: KMP) juiced its quarterly payout 0.7% to $1.40 a share for a 6.23% yield. "KMP had a strong third quarter and increased the distribution for the 53rd time since current management took over in February of 1997," said CEO Richard D. Kinder.
Knot Offshore Partners LP (NYSE: KNOP) raised its quarterly dividend 12.6% to $0.49 a share for a 7.87% yield.
Marlin Midstream Partners LP (Nasdaq: FISH) fattened its quarterly payout 1.4% to $0.365 a share for a 7.24% yield.
Mesa Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq: MLAB) moved its quarterly dividend up a penny, or 7%, to $0.16 a share for yield approaching 1%.
Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. (NYSE: OHI) upped its monthly payout one cent, or 2%, to $0.52 a share for a 5.5% yield. Since October 2012, the dividend has gone up every quarter, usually by a penny a share. On a longer-term basis, the payout has risen nearly every year since 2005. Maryland-based Omega owns or holds mortgages on 563 skilled nursing, assisted living, and other specialty hospitals spread over 37 states.
Penske Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE: PAG) raised its dividend a penny to $0.21 a share for a 2.1% yield. The company said the dividend increase "reflects our commitment to increasing returns for shareholders and reinforces the continued confidence we have in the strength of the auto retail market and our ability to continue growing our overall business."
Texas Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: TXN) increased its quarterly payout $0.04, or 13.3%, to $0.34 a share for a 3.11% yield.
United Community Banks Inc. (Nasdaq: UCBI) upped its quarterly dividend $0.02, or 66.7%, to $0.05 a share for a 0.76% yield. The boost represents a payout ratio of 19% based on the Georgia bank's most recent reported quarterly earnings. "This increase reflects our continuing desire to deliver a dividend payout ratio to our shareholders that is in-line with our performance and historic payout ratios," the company said.
Valero Energy Partners LP (NYSE: VLP) hiked its quarterly payout 7.9% to $0.24 a share for a 2.18% yield.
Western Refining Inc. (NYSE: WNR) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.04, or 15.4%, to $0.30 a share for a yield just shy of 3%.
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