Stocks Raising Dividends

Amid renewed talk of a double dip recession, European debt woes and the Fed's fear of deflation, it's nice to see a few companies that feel their earnings are strong enough to raise annual dividends - and especially now, in the off season, so to speak, for the corporate world.

Dividend declarations are usually timed to coincide with reporting season when the focus is on earnings and more sizzle can be added to an already heated investment environment. It should also be a green light to investors, as it heralds a general sense of stability and confidence that earnings and operations will be sufficient going forward to maintain the payout for the long haul. And that's key. Companies that have to cut or suspend dividend payments are regularly thrashed by the market, their stock price bludgeoned to a fraction of its former worth.

Source: Investopedia

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