Photo: Freeimages.com/Michael Collins

Eight dividend growth companies announced their annual dividend increase this week.  Notable among them: business services company S&P Global announced a 14% increase and specialty chemical company Praxair announced its 25th year of dividend growth, placing it on track to become a Dividend Aristocrat at the beginning of 2018.

Dividend Increases Announced This Week

Black Hills Corporation (BKH)

Industry: Utilities – Electric

Dividend Payment: 44.5 cents per share – up 6.0% from prior level of 42 cents

Dividend Paid On: 3/1

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/13

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 46

Current Forward Yield: 2.71%

 

Cincinnati Financial (CINF)

Industry: Financial – Insurance

Dividend Payment: 50 cents per share – up 4.2% from prior level of 48 cents

Dividend Paid On: 4/14

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 3/20

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 56

Current Forward Yield: 2.72%

 

California Water Service Group (CWT)

Industry: Utilities – Water

Dividend Payment: 18 cents per share – up 4.3% from prior level of 17.25 cents

Dividend Paid On: 2/17

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/2

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 50

Current Forward Yield: 1.99%

 

J. B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT)

Industry: Business Services

Dividend Payment: 23 cents per share – up 4.5% from prior level of 22 cents

Dividend Paid On: 2/24

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/8

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 14

Current Forward Yield: 0.89%

 

Polaris Industries (PII)

Industry: Consumer Goods – Recreational Vehicles

Dividend Payment: 58 cents per share – up 5.5% from prior level of 55 cents

Dividend Paid On: 3/15

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/27

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 22

Current Forward Yield: 2.54%

 

Praxair (PX)

Industry: Specialty Chemicals

Dividend Payment: 78.75 cents per share – up 5.0% from prior level of 75 cents

Dividend Paid On: 3/15

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 3/3

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 25

Current Forward Yield: 2.50%

 

SJW Group (SJW)

Industry: Utilities – Water

Dividend Payment: 21.75 cents per share – up 7.4% from prior level of xx cents

Dividend Paid On: 3/1

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/2

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 50

Current Forward Yield: 1.61%

 

S&P Global, Inc. (SPGI)

Industry: Financial – Business Services

Dividend Payment: 41 cents per share – up 13.9% from prior level of 36 cents

Dividend Paid On: 3/10

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/22

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 44

Current Forward Yield: 1.19%