Flowers Foods announced a 6% increase in their dividend this week.
Photo: Flickr.com/SJU Undergraduate Admissions

(I’m publishing this a little early due to the holiday weekend.  Forward yields are based on Friday’s midday prices.)

Going into the Memorial Day weekend, four companies announced their latest annual dividend increases.  The biggest surprise was a nearly 9% increase from agribusiness company Bunge Limited.  Restaurant company Cracker Barrel announced a modest 4% increase to an annual rate of $5.00, but sweetened things up by announcing a special dividend of $3.25.  And, as mentioned above, bakery company Flowers Foods announced a 6% dividend increase.  Read on for the details….

Dividend Increases Announced This Week

Bunge Limited (BG)

Industry: Consumer Goods

Dividend Payment: 50 cents per share – up 8.7% from prior level of 46 cents

Dividend Paid On: 9/5

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 8/21

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 17

Current Forward Yield: 2.86%

 

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL)

Industry: Restaurants

Dividend Payment: $1.25 per share – up 4.2% from prior level of $1.20

Dividend Paid On: 8/6

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

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 16

Current Forward Yield: 3.06%

Note: Cracker Barrel also announced a $3.25 special dividend this week.

 

Flowers Foods (FLO)

Industry: Food & Beverages

Dividend Payment: 18 cents per share – up 5.9% from prior level of 17 cents

Dividend Paid On: 6/21

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 6/6

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 17

Current Forward Yield: 3.57%

 

Tiffany & Company (TIF)

Industry: Specialty Retail

Dividend Payment: 55 cents per share – up 10.0% from prior level of 50 cents

Dividend Paid On: 7/10

Stock Goes Ex-Dividend (own the stock before this date to collect the dividend): 6/19

Number of Years of Dividend Increases: 16

Current Forward Yield: 1.70%

 

Dividend Increase Announcements Expected Next Week

Lowe’s Companies (LOW)