Last week, 105 stocks that pay dividends raised payouts - Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) being one of the most notable. Six companies announced special dividends, and three declared stock dividends.
Dividend stocks aren't just good investments because they offer income. Stocks that pay dividends tend to be less volatile than non-payers.
In 2008, stocks that did not pay dividends lost 45.4% on a total-return basis. But dividend-paying stocks lost an average of 39%. In 2002, nonpayers plunged 30.3%. Dividend stocks lost just 10.9%.
That's welcome news following a week where the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed nearly 500 points.
To add more income to your portfolio - or to see if your dividend stocks are healthy - look at how often companies increase their dividends. To get started, here are 33 notable payout hikes from the week ending Jan. 30, 2015.
The Power of Dividend Stocks
Access Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: ACMP) upped its quarterly payout 38% to $0.85 a share for a 6.57% yield.
Anthem Inc. (Nasdaq: ANTM) raised its quarterly dividend 43% to $0.62 a share for a 1.85% yield. Anthem has hiked its dividend every year since initiating them in 2011 at $0.25 a share.
A. O. Smith Corp. (NYSE: AOS) sweetened its quarterly payout $0.04 to $0.19 a share for a 1.28% yield. The increase marks the fourth straight year the water technology company has improved its dividend 20% or more.
Blackstone Group LP (NYSE: BX) boosted its quarterly dividend 77% to $0.78 a share for a 7.23% yield. The hike came after the investment firm reported record FY2014 results across all key metrics.
Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BCRM) raised its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.14 a share for a 1.32% yield.
Camden Property Trust (NYSE: CPT) increased its quarterly payout $0.04 to $0.70 a share for a 3.63% yield.
Central Pacific Financial Corp. (NYSE: CPF) raised its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12 a share for a 2.3% yield.
If you aren't a Money Morning Member, sign up now for free to see 26 more stocks that pay dividends 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.
Computer Programs & Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CPSI) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.07 to $0.64 a share for a 5.2% yield.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (Nasdaq: COST) declared a special $5-per-share dividend payable Feb. 27. It's the first such payment since 2012 when the largest U.S. warehouse chain rewarded investors with a $7-per-share extra dividend.
Delek Logistics Partners LP (NYSE: DKL) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.51 a share for a 5.7% yield.
Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE: DB) boosted its annual dividend 5% to $0.84 a share for a 3.37% yield.
Emerge Energy Services LP (NYSE: EMES) elevated its quarterly dividend 2.2% to $1.41 a share for an 11.24% yield.
Energy Transfer Partners LP (NYSE: ETP) enriched its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.995 a share for a 6.5% yield.
Fox Chase Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: FXCB) fattened its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.14 a share for a 3.5% yield. The Hatboro, Pa.-based bank also declared an extra $0.12-per-share dividend payable Feb. 26 to shareholders of record Feb. 12.
AJ Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) goosed its quarterly payout 2.8% to $0.37 a share for a 3.33% yield. The boost marks the fifth consecutive year in which AJG has increased its dividend. It's also the 27th increase since AJG went public in 1984.
Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI) hiked its quarterly dividend a dime to $0.40 a share for a 1.44% yield. The company also declared a 4-for-1 stock dividend payable March 3 to shareholders of record Feb. 9.
HSN Inc. (Nasdaq: HSN) announced a special $10 per share dividend payable Feb. 19 to shareholders of record Feb. 9. The company said it's paying the extra dividend because it's confident it can continue to grow and generate cash.
Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.24 a share for a near 3% yield. The chip giant has been increasing its dividend without interruption for the last five years.
Investors Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: ISBC) boosted its quarterly payout a penny to $0.05 a share for a 1.45% yield. The Short Hills, N.J.-based bank also announced a special $0.05-per-share dividend payable Feb. 25 to shareholders of record Feb. 9.
JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (Nasdaq: JBHT) juiced its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.21 a share for a 1.06% yield.
Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) increased its quarterly dividend a nickel to $0.33 a share for a 1.2% yield.
Louisiana Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: LABC) raised its quarterly payout $0.02 to $0.07 a share for a 1.31% yield.
Marine Products Corp. (NYSE: MPX) moved its quarterly dividend up 33.3% to $0.04 a share for a 2.2% yield.
National Instruments Corp. (Nasdaq: NATI) raised its quarterly dividend $0.04 to $0.19 a share for a 2.53% yield.
Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) sweetened its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.59 a share for a 2.31% yield.
Penske Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE: PAG) raised its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.22 a share for a 1.82% yield.
Praxair Inc. (NYSE: PX) boosted its quarterly payout 10% to $0.715 a share for a 2.37% yield. The increase marks the 22nd consecutive year in which the company has hiked its dividend.
Quest Diagnostics Inc. (NYSE: DGX) raised its dividend a nickel to $0.38 per share for a 2.13%. It's the fourth increase in as many years.
Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL) raised its quarterly dividend 14.3% to $0.12 a share for a 1.45% yield. The Atlanta, Ga.-based company also announced a 3-for-2 stock dividend payable March 10 to shareholders of record Feb. 10.
Seadrill Partners LLC (NYSE: SDLP) sweetened its quarterly dividend 2.7% to $0.56 a share for a 16.51% yield.
Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE: VLO) increased its quarterly dividend 45.5% to $0.40 a share for a 3% yield. The oil refiner has been growing its dividend for the last four years.
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) declared a 4-for-1 stock dividend payable March 3 to shareholders of record Feb. 13
Western Gas Equity Partners LP (NYSE: WGP) raised its quarterly dividend 7.3% to $0.312 a share for a 2.16% yield.
Don't forget to claim your copy of How to Make 2015 Your Wealthiest Year Yet
What Does the Donner Party Tragedy Have to Do with Investing? Well, the sort of mistakes that led to the deaths of 39 settlers - and even induced some snowbound party members to resort to cannibalism - can be just as deadly to your investments. Whatever you do - don't make these fatal investing mistakes...
