Dividend Aristocrats Week in Review for May 17, 2014: Clorox Increases Dividends Again

Three S&P Dividend Aristocrats announced dividend events this week, including one company that announced an increase in their quarterly dividend.

Clorox announced their 32nd consecutive annual dividend increase this week. Photo courtesy Elana Centor/FunnyBiz via flickr.com.

Clorox announced their 32nd consecutive annual dividend increase this week.
Photo courtesy Elana Centor/FunnyBiz via flickr.com.

The Clorox Company (CLX), maker of their eponymous cleaning products along with Glad bags and containers, K C Masterpiece sauces, Kingsford charcoal, and other consumer brands, announced their latest annual dividend increase this week.  Clorox will increase their quarterly dividend by 4.2%, to 74 cents per share from 71 cents per share.  The increased dividend will be paid on August 8th to shareholders of record on July 23rd.  With an annual dividend payment of $2.96, the stock currently yields 3.34%.  The company last increased dividends in August 2013 by 10.9%, from 64 cents per share and has compounded its dividends by nearly 10% annually over the last 5 years..  Check out Clorox’s company summary page for more information on its dividend history.

3M (MMM) announced its latest quarterly dividend of 85.5 cents per share, payable on June 12th to shareholders of record on May 23rd.  3M last increased their dividend payout in March 2014; their next dividend increase is expected to be announced in December 2014 and paid in March 2015.  The annual dividend payment is $3.42, giving the stock a current yield of 2.42%.  3M manufactures a wide variety of products, ranging from consumer products to health care and industrial products.  3M has paid dividends since 1916, increased dividends for 55 consecutive years, and compounded its dividend payout over the last 5 years at about 5% annually.  More information on 3M’s dividend history and dividend reinvestment plan is available on 3M’s company summary page.

Specialty gas and gas equipment provider Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (APD) will pay a regular quarterly dividend of 77 cents per share on August 11th to shareholders of record on July 1st.  Air Products’ annual dividend of $3.08 gives the company a current yield of 2.60%.  Air Products has increased dividends for 32 consecutive years, and has compounded its dividend growth rate over the last 5 years by more than 10%.  More details on Air Products’ dividend history is available Air Products’ company summary page.