A diverse group of companies have increased dividend payments in recent months, often to bolster investors’ confidence in their overall business prospects. Here are companies increasing dividends with a bullish or better outlook indicating a buy rating.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) operates as a healthcare services company that provides pharmaceutical and medical products and services. The company operates in two segments, Pharmaceutical and Medical. CAH announced that its board of directors has approved a 10.5 percent increase in the company’s quarterly dividend to$0.2375 per share, or $0.95 per share on an annualized basis. The regular dividend is payable on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 1. CAH has paid a $0.215 per share quarterly dividend since July 15, 2011. This is the 111th consecutive regular quarterly dividend. The new dividend yield is 2.22%. CAH has a 5-year average annual dividend growth of 21%. CAH has an equity summary score of 9.3 out of 10 for a VERY Bullish Outlook.
Domtar Corporation (UFS) engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of fiber-based products in North America. The company operates in three segments: Pulp and Paper, Distribution, and Personal Care. UFS announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 29% increase to its quarterly dividend (from $0.35 to $0.45per share) on its common stock. The Board of Directors declared the dividend payable on July 16, 2012 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2012. The new dividend yield is 2.13%. UFS has increased its dividend 80% since 2010. UFS has an equity summary score of 8.6 out of 10 for a Bullish Outlook.
AMETEK, Inc. (AME) manufactures and sells electronic instruments and electromechanical devices in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The company operates in two segments, Electronic Instruments Group and Electromechanical Group.
AMETEK, Inc. (AME) announced its Board of Directors has declared a three-for-two stock split and approved a 50% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on its common stock. The three-for-two split of its common stock will result in the issuance of one additional common share for every two shares owned as of the record date. The new shares are payable on June 29, 2012, to shareholders of record on June 15, 2012. Any fractional shares resulting from the stock split will be paid in cash based on the closing market price of AME stock on the record date. By splitting its stock, AME expects to broaden the stock’s marketability and improve its trading liquidity.
After reviewing the Company’s strong financial position and future expectations, AME’s Board of Directors also has decided to increase the quarterly common stock dividend 50%, to an indicated annual rate of $.36 per share ($.24 per share on a post-split basis). The Board of Directors declared the second quarter dividend of $.09 per share ($.06 per share on a post-split basis), payable on June 29, 2012 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2012. The new dividend yield is 0.72%. AME has a 5-year average annual dividend growth of 17%. AME has an equity summary score of 7.5 out of 10 for a Bullish Outlook.
Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX) engages in the production and sale of gold and copper. The company has a portfolio of 26 operating mines, and exploration and development projects located in North America, South America, the Australia Pacific region, and Africa. ABX announced a 33% increase in its quarterly payout to 20 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid June 15 to shareholders of record as of May 31. The new dividend yield is 2.11%. ABX has a 5-year average annual dividend growth of 29%. ABX has an equity summary score of 7.7 out of 10 for a Bullish Outlook.