It's still a great time to look for more value in dividend-paying stocks as interest rates remain low.
More than half of S&P 500 stocks sport a dividend yield above the 10-year Treasury's 1.82%. Further, dividend stocks offer capital appreciation potential. Investors can't get that from Treasuries.
From December 2010 through 2014, the S&P 500 rose 65%. Dividends per share climbed 74% in that same time period, according to Yale University economist Robert Shiller. Thus investors weren't just rewarded with rising stock values; they also benefited via dividend payments.
Last week, 56 companies hiked payouts, including Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) and Markwest Energy (NYSE: MWE). Following are 30 notable dividend boosts for the week ending Jan. 23.
Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) raised its quarterly dividend 60% to $0.20 a share for a 1.17% yield. The hike came after record Q4 income of $125 million, or $0.94 per share.
The Power of Dividend Stocks
Alexander's Inc. (NYSE: ALX) increased its quarterly payout a quarter to $3.50 a share for a 2.9% yield. Its annual dividend rate per share goes up a dollar to $14.00.
Alliant Energy Corp. (NYSE: LNT) increased its quarterly dividend $0.04 to $0.55 a share for a 3.13% yield. The energy service provider has been paying dividends for 277 consecutive quarters since 1946.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE: BHB) boosted its quarterly dividend 4.3% to $0.245 a share for a 3% yield.
City National Corp. (NYSE: CYN) raised its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.35 a share for a 1.57% yield.
Dorchester Minerals LP (Nasdaq: DMLP) raised its quarterly dividend 8.5% to $0.48 a share for a 7.47% yield.
Dynagas LNG Partners LP (NYSE: DLNG) hiked its quarterly payout 8.3% to $0.422 a share for a 10% yield.
EnLink Midstream Partners (NYSE: ENLK) upped its quarterly payout 1.4% to $0.375 a share for a 5.1% yield.
First American Financial Corp. (NYSE: FAF) fattened its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.25 a share for a 2.9% yield.
If you aren't a Money Morning Member, sign up now for free to see 21 more dividend-paying stocks that just raised payouts. You'll also get this Members-only report: "How to Make 2015 Your Wealthiest Year Yet." It tells you the three habits to dump immediately, the single most effective strategy for your portfolio, and five stocks to get you started to a wealthier you.
Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP) goosed its quarterly payout 1.9% to $0.66 a share for a 7.3% yield.
Graham Holdings Co. (NYSE: GHC) grew its quarterly dividend a dime to $2.65 a share for a 1.18% yield.
HCI Group Inc. (NYSE: HCI) boosted its quarterly payout 9% to $0.30 a share for a 2.6% yield. The hike is the sixth since HCI started dividend payments in 2010.
Hoegh LNG Partners LP (NYSE: HMLP) increased its quarterly dividend 84% to $0.33 a share for a 6.45% yield.
Holly Energy Partners LP (NYSE: HEP) juiced its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.53 a share for a 6.5% yield. The increase marks the company's 41st consecutive dividend boost.
Kayne Anderson Energy Development Co. (NYSE: KED) raised its quarterly dividend 1% to $0.52 a share for a 6.27% yield. Dividends have grown 14.3% year over year.
Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE: KMI) boosted its quarterly distribution a penny to $0.45 a share for a 4.26% yield. That amounts to $1.80 annually in payouts. A "good year" was cited for the 10% year-over-year dividend increase.
Markwest Energy Partners LP (NYSE: MWE) moved its quarterly dividend up a penny to $0.90 a share for a 5.9% yield.
Mercantile Bank Corp. (Nasdaq: MBWM) raised its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.14 a share for a near 3% yield.
NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) increased its quarterly dividend 3.6% to $0.145 a share for a 2.32% yield.
Oiltanking Partners LP (NYSE: OILT) upped its quarterly payout 4.6% to $0.285 a share for a 2.5% yield.
ONE Gas Inc. (NYSE: OGS) goosed its quarterly payout $0.02, or 7%, to $0.30 a share for a 2.6% yield. The company expects an average annual dividend increase of 6% to 8% through 2019.
Park Electrochemical Corp. (NYSE: PKE) announced a special $1.50 per share cash dividend. The extra dividend is payable Feb. 24 to shareholders of record Feb. 10. The special dividend, together with PKE's regular $0.10 per share quarterly dividend, brings its total shareholder return via regular and special dividends to $15.90 per share since FY2005.
Phillips 66 Partners LP (NYSE: PSXP) hiked its quarterly payout 7.3% to $0.34 a share for a 1.81% yield.
Realty Income Corp. (NYSE: O) raised its monthly dividend 3% to $0.189 a share for a 4.24% yield. This is the 79th dividend increase since Realty listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1994.
Southwest Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: OKSB) sweetened its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.06 a share for a 1.53% yield.
Summit Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: SMLP) raised its quarterly dividend 3.7% to $0.56 a share for a 6.26% yield.
Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) increased its quarterly payout 5.8% to $0.77 a share for a 3.4% yield.
Tesoro Logistics LP (NYSE: TLLP) raised its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.66 a share for a 4.9% yield.
Union Bankshares Inc. (NYSE: UNB) upped its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.27 a share for a 4.5% yield.
Washington Federal Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.13 a share for a 2.53% yield. The Feb. 16 distribution will be WAFD's 128th consecutive quarterly cash payout.
Don't forget to claim your copy of How to Make 2015 Your Wealthiest Year Yet
IBM's Just-Reported Q4 Earnings Laid Another Egg... "Big Blue's" transition, or perhaps we can call it a "turnaround," is at best stalling and at worst setting investors up for more disappointment. It's simply not going well for IBM. Here's how we need to play IBM stock today...
