Over the past week, the following companies made important announcements regarding their future dividend payments…

Dividend Increases

  • Automatic Data Processing (ADP) declared a cash dividend increase of 10% to an annual rate of $1.74 per share. The new quarterly dividend of $.435 per share compares with the previous quarterly dividend rate of $.395 per share. This increased quarterly dividend will be distributed on January 1 to shareholders of record at December 14. The increased cash dividend marks the 38th consecutive year in which the company has raised its dividend.
  • Nike (NKE) announced a 17% increase in quarterly dividend. The board declared the dividend on the company’s outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock of $.21 per share, on a post-split basis, payable on December 26 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10. The dividend represents an increase over the previous split-adjusted quarterly rate of $.18 per share. This is the eleventh year in a row the Company has increased its annual dividend, over which time the dividend has increased by a factor of almost seven.
  • Sysco (SYY) announced it will increase its quarterly dividend payment by 3.7% to $.28, up from $.27. The new dividend is payable on January 25 to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 4.
  • Union Pacific (UNP) announced a 15% dividend increase for Q4.The dividend is increasing by 15% to $.69 per share. The increased dividend is payable January 2 to stockholders of record November 30.
  • Xerox (XRX) announced it will increase its dividend by 35% to $.0575 per quarter beginning with the dividend payable on April 30, 2013.
  • Royal Gold (RGLD) announced a common stock dividend increase of 33% to $.80 per share, up from $.60 per share.  Royal Gold has steadily increased its annual dividend since 2001. The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 4.
  • Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) announced a dividend increase to $.08 from $.05. The dividend is payable on December 17 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 3. The Board of Directors has also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.50 per depositary share on Associated Banc-Corp’s 8.00% Series B Perpetual Preferred Stock to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2012, with the dividend payable date of December 15 and an actual payment date of Monday, December 17.
  • Griffon (GFF) announced a quarterly dividend increase of 25% to $.025 per share. The dividend is payable on December 26 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 29.
  • The Laclede Group (LG) announced an increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $.425 per share from $.415 per share, which raises the annualized rate by 2.4% to $1.70 per share. The dividend is payable on January 3 to shareholders of record on December 11.
  • National Bankshares (NKSH) announced an increase in its semi-annual dividend of 9.6% to $.57 per share. The dividend will be paid to all stockholders of record as of November 23. The dividend is 9.6% higher than the semi-annual dividend that was paid on December 1, 2011.
  • American Software (AMSWA) announced an increase in its quarterly dividend of 11% to $.10. In addition, the board declared a special accelerated dividend of $.20 per common share intended by the board to be in lieu of the regular quarterly dividends that have historically been declared in February and May of each year. Both dividends will be paid on December 21 to shareholders of record on the close of business on December 8.
  • Johnson Controls (JCI) announced a quarterly dividend increase of 5.5% to $.19. The dividend is payable December 28 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 7. The company noted that due to potential tax law changes, the traditional January dividend payable date was changed to December for this year only.
  • S.Y. Bancorp (SYBT) announced a dividend increase of 5.3% to $.20 from $.19. The new rate will go into effect with the next payment on December 31 to stockholders of record as of December 10.
  • StanCorp Financial (SFG) announced an annual cash dividend increase of 4.5% to $.93 from $.89. The dividend is payable December 7, to shareholders of record on November 23.
  • Teck Resources (TCK) announced that it will pay an eligible dividend of $.45 per share on its outstanding Class A common shares and Class B subordinate voting shares on January 2 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 14. This represents a 12.5% increase from the previous dividend.
  • Home Loan Servicing (HLSS) announced a dividend increase to $.12 per share for November, December.
  • Neenah Paper (NP) announced a 25% increase in the regular dividend on the company’s common stock. The annual dividend will increase from $.48 to $.60 per share and will continue to be paid in four equal quarterly installments. The first installment at the new rate of $.15 per share is scheduled to be paid on March 4, 2013 to shareholders of record as of February 15, 2013.
  • Williams (WMB) declared a dividend increase to $.325 from $.3125. The dividend is payable December 24, to holders of record at the close of business on December 7.
  • MDU Resources (MDU) announced a quarterly dividend increase to $.1725 from $.1675 per share. The dividend is payable January 1 to stockholders of record December 13.
  • Brown-Forman (BFA) announced an increase to its quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock by 9.3% to $.255 per share from the prior quarter’s $.2333 per share. As a result, the indicated annual cash dividend will rise from $.9333 per share to $1.02 per share. Stockholders of record on December 5 will receive their quarterly cash dividend on December 26.
  • Orchids Paper (TIS) increased its dividend to $.25 from $.20 per share. The increased dividend will be effective for the dividend payable on December 18 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 3.
  • Bank of South Carolina (BKSC) increased its dividend to $.12 from $.11 per share. The dividend is payable December 31 to shareholders of record as of November 30.
  • National Oilwell Varco (NOV) announced an increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend to $.13 per share of common stock, payable on December 21 to each stockholder of record on December 7.
  • National Retail Properties (NNN) declared a dividend increase to $.4141 per share from $.40. The dividend is payable December 14, to shareholders of record on November 30.
  • Waddell & Reed (WDR) announced it will increase its quarterly dividend 12% to $.28 per share from $.25 per share payable on February 1 to stockholders of record as of January 11. The board also declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share payable on December 6 to stockholders of record as of November 26.
  • Primerica (PRI) announced a 29% dividend increase. The new dividend of $.09 per share, is up from $.07 per share and will be payable on December 10 to shareholders of record as of November 23.
  • Investors Title Company (ITIC) declared a quarterly dividend increase to $.08 from $.07 per share. The dividend is payable December 17 to shareholders of record as of December 3.
  • Redwood Trust (RWT) declared a $.25 per share dividend for Q4 of 2012.
  • PCTEL, Inc. (PCTI) approved a 16.6% increase in the company’s regular quarterly dividend to $.035 per share on its common stock. The quarterly dividend had been $.03 per share. This dividend will be payable on February 15 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 8.
  • Quest Diagnostics (DGX) authorized a 76% increase in its quarterly dividend to $.30 per share, up from $.17 per share, or $1.20 per share annually, payable on January 28 to shareholders of record on January 11.
  • American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (AEL) declared an annual cash dividend of $.15 per share to owners of its common stock. This is a 25% increase from the $.12 annual dividend declared on November 16. The dividend will be payable on December 17 to shareholders of record as of December 3.
  • Harris Teeter Supermarkets (HTSI) declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $.15 per share to be paid on January 1 to shareholders of record on December 14. This represents a $.01 increase in the quarterly dividend amount, from the $0.14 per share that the Company paid in previous quarters. The company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $.50 per share to be paid on December 31 to shareholders of record on December 14.
  • Matthews (MSTW) announced a dividend increase of 11% to $.10 per share. The dividend is payable December 10 to stockholders of record November 26.

Dividend Initiations

  • ChipMOS Technologies (IMOS) declared an annual cash dividend of $.14 per common share payable on December 18 to all common shareholders of record at the close of business on December 5. This represents the company’s first dividend.

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Special Dividends

  • Source Capital (SOR) declared a special year end distribution of $.53 per share.  The distribution will be paid December 15 to shareholders of record as of November 23.
  • National Interstate (NATL) announced will with pay a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share in addition to a one time special dividend of $2.00 per share. The combined $2.10 dividend will be payable December 10 to shareholders of record as of November 26.
  • China Digital (STV) declared a special cash dividend of $2.30 per share. Shareholders of record as of November 26 will receive the dividend in two installments of $1.00 and $1.3o, on or around December 3 and February 4,2012 respectively.
  • RRsat Global (RRST) announced a cash dividend of $.58 per share to be payable on December 13 to shareholders of record as of November 22.
  • Bridgford Foods Corporation (BRID) declared a one-time cash dividend of $.05 per share. The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record on November 27 payable on December 24.
  • Werner (WERN) announced a special cash dividend of $1.50 per common share payable to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 29. This dividend will be paid on December 13.
  • Atrion Corporation (ATRI) announced a special cash dividend of $10 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable on December 10 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 26.
  • PC Connection (PCCC) declared a special cash dividend of $.38 per share payable on December 14 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 28.
  • Crown Crafts (CRWS) announced a special dividend of $.50 per share which is in addition to the declaration of the quarterly cash dividend of $.08 per share. Both dividends will be paid on December 27 from cash on hand to stockholders of record on December 14.
  • Allegiant Travel (ALGT) announced a special dividend of $2 per share. This dividend will be payable on December 14 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30.
  • Haverty Furniture (HVT) announced a special dividend of $1 per share. The board also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.04 per share on the outstanding shares of common stock. Both the regular quarterly dividend and the special cash dividend are payable December 12 to stockholders of record as of November 26.
  • Epoch Investment (EPHC) declared a special cash dividend of $.75 per share. The dividend is payable on December 14 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30.
  • NetEase.com (NTES) declared a special dividend of $.04 per share or $1.00 per ADS (each ADS represents 25 ordinary shares). The special cash dividend is payable to shareholders of record as of January 15 and is expected to be paid on January 18.
  • Primus Telecommunications (PTGI) declared a special dividend of $2.50 per share. The special cash dividend will be paid on December 11 to holders of record of PTGi common stock as of November 27.
  • RLI Corporation (RLI) declared a special dividend of $5.00 and regular dividend of $.32 per share. Both dividends are payable on December 20 to shareholders of record as of November 30.
  • Heritage Financial (HFWA) announced a special dividend of $.30 per share payable on December 6, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 26.
  • Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) announced a one-time special cash dividend of $1.10 per share on Class A common stock and $1.00 per share on Class B common stock. The special cash dividend will be payable December 21 to shareholders of record as of November 30.
  • Future Fuel (FF) declared a special dividend of $1.20 per share payable December 17 to shareholders of record as of December 3.
  • Nacco Industries (NC) announced a one-time special dividend of $3.50 per share. The dividend will be paid December 14 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30.
  • FedFirst Financial (FFCO) announced a $.25 per share special cash dividend payable on or about December 7 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 26.
  • Computer Programs and Systems (CPSI) announced a special cash dividend of $1 per share, payable on December 14 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 29.
  • Omega Flex (OFLX) declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share. The dividend is payable on December 14 to shareholders of record on November 30.
  • City National (CYN) announces quarterly and special cash dividends totaling $.50. The company declared a regular Q4 common stock cash dividend of $.25 per share and is accelerating its payment into Q4 of 2012. The board also declared a special common stock cash dividend of $.25 per share. This will result in a cumulative dividend of $.50 per share, which will be paid on December 18, to shareholders of record on December 3. The company declared its Q3 dividend on October 18, and it is payable on November 21.
  • Republic Bancorp (RBCAA) announced a one-time special cash dividend of $1.10 per share on Class A common stock and $1.00 per share on Class B common stock. The special cash dividend will be payable December 21 to shareholders of record as of November 30.
  • Hot Topic (HOTT) declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.08 per share payable on December 28 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 14. The company said it accelerated its fourth quarter dividend, typically paid in January, to allow shareholders to benefit from the lower dividend tax rate that is set to expire December 31, 2012.
  • Unico American Corporation (UNAM) announced a cash dividend of $1 per share of common stock. This cash dividend declared on November 15 is payable on December 14 to shareholders of record on November 30.
  • Franklin Resources (BEN) announced a special cash dividend in the amount of $3 per share payable on December 20 to stockholders of record holding shares of common stock at the close of business on December 6.
  • Town Sports International Holdings (CLUB) announced a one-time special cash dividend of $3 per share, payable on December 11 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30.
  • Heartland Express (HTLD) declared a $.02 regular dividend as well as a $1.00 special dividend. Both dividend are expected to be paid on December 17 to shareholders of record as of December 7.
  • First Interstate BancSystem’s (FIBK) declared an accelerated quarterly dividend of $.13 per common share. The dividend is payable on December 17 to owners of record as of December 3. This accelerated quarterly dividend is intended to be in lieu of the quarterly dividend which would have been declared in January 2013.
  • Carnival Corporation (CCL) declared a special dividend of $.50 per share, which is in addition to its previously announced regular quarterly dividend of $.25 per share already scheduled to be paid December 14. For the special dividend, the board approved a payment date of December 28 based on a record date of December 7.
  • Boise (BZ) announced a special cash dividend of $.72 per common share, payable December 12 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 28.
  • Physicians Formula (FACE) announced a one-time special dividend to stockholders and that Physicians Formula, Markwins International Corporation and Markwins Merger Sub, entered into an amendment to the agreement and plan of merger previously entered into by the parties under which Markwins would acquire Physicians Formula via a merger.  A dividend of $.035 per share is payable on December 5 to stockholders of record as of November 26.
  • Knight Transportation (KNX) announced a special cash dividend of $.50 per share of common stock. The company’s special dividend is payable to shareholders of record on December 7 and is expected to be paid on December 28.
  • Franklin Financial (FRNK) declared a special dividend of $.45 per share. The dividend is payable on December 18 to stockholders of record on November 30.
  • Territorial Bancorp (TBNK) declared a special cash dividend of $.10 per share payable on December 13 to shareholders of record as of November 29.
  • Provident Financial Services (PFS) announced that its board approved a special cash dividend of $.20 per common share payable on December 21 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 7.

Dividend Decreases

  • Safe Bulkers (SB) announced a reduced dividend by $.05 per share. The previous quarter’s dividend was $.15. The dividend is payable on November 30 to shareholders of record as of November 26.

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