Timberland is one of V.F. Corporation's well-known brands.  The clothing company
announced its 45th year of dividend growth this week.
Photo: Flickr.com/DeclanTM

The week of October 23 – 27, 2017 was a good one for dividend growth investors, with eight announcements of annual dividend increases.  Notable among them was a double-digit increase from pharmaceutical company AbbVie and annual increases from regional banking companies Commerce Bancshares and Prosperity Bankshares.  Next week will bring another four announcements.

Dividend Increases Announced This Week

AbbVie (ABBV)

Industry: Healthcare – Pharmaceuticals

Dividend Payment: 71 cents per share – up 10.9% from prior level of 64 cents

Dividend Paid On: 1/11/2018

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 2/15/2018

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 46

Current Forward Yield: 3.09%

 

AFLAC (AFL)

Industry: Financial – Insurance

Dividend Payment: 45 cents per share – up 4.7% from prior level of 43 cents

Dividend Paid On: 12/1

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 11/14

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 35

Current Forward Yield: 2.14%

 

Commerce Bancshares (CBSH)

Industry: Financial – Banking

Dividend Payment: 23.63 cents per share + 5% stock dividend – up 5.0% from prior level of 23.63 cents

Dividend Paid On: 12/18

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 11/29

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 50

Current Forward Yield: 1.54%

 

Middlesex Water Company (MSEX)

Industry: Utilities – Water

Dividend Payment: 22.38 cents per share – up 5.9% from prior level of 21.13 cents

Dividend Paid On: 12/1

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 11/8

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 45

Current Forward Yield: 2.00%

 

Prosperity Bancshares (PB)

Industry: Financial – Banking

Dividend Payment: 36 cents per share – up 5.9% from prior level of 34 cents

Dividend Paid On: 1/2/2018

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 12/14

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 18

Current Forward Yield: 2.15%

 

Stepan Company (SCL)

Industry: Consumer Goods – Cleaning Products

Dividend Payment: 22.5 cents per share – up 9.8% from prior level of 20.5 cents

Dividend Paid On: 12/15

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 11/29

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 50

Current Forward Yield: 1.14%

 

UMB Financial Corporation (UMBF)

Industry: Financial – Banking

Dividend Payment: 27.5 cents per share – up 7.8% from prior level of 25.5 cents

Dividend Paid On: 1/2/2018

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 12/7

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 24

Current Forward Yield: 1.47%

 

V. F. Corporation (VFC)

Industry: Consumer Goods – Clothing

Dividend Payment: 46 cents per share – up 9.5% from prior level of 42 cents

Dividend Paid On: 12/18

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 12/7

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 45

Current Forward Yield: 2.60%

 

Dividend Increase Announcements Expected Next Week

Emerson (EMR)

AT&T (T)

United Bankshares (UBSI)

Vectren Corporation (VVC)