About Sigma-Aldrich

Sigma-Aldrich began increasing dividends in 1987.
Photo courtesy Search Engine People Blog/flickr.com

Sigma-Aldrich provides life science technology products to academia and industry around the world.  Life science companies, universities, hospitals, and industry use the company’s biochemical and organic chemical products, kits and services for scientific research, pharmaceutical development and genomic research.  Sigma-Aldrich supplies more than 230,000 products and services to over 1.3 million scientists and technologists across 160 countries.  The company is divided into three business units: Research, Applied and SAFC Commercial.

The company is a member of the S&P 500 index and trades under the ticker symbol SIAL.

Sigma-Aldrich’s Dividend and Stock Split History

Sigma-Aldrich has increased its dividend every year since 1987 and met the Dividend Aristocrat criteria of 25 consecutive years of increases in 2011.  The company has paid dividends since 1975.  The company traditionally announces dividend increases in February and pays them out in March.  At the beginning of 2014, Sigma-Aldrich increased the quarterly dividend by 7.0%, from 21.5 cents per share to 23 cents per share.

Sigma-Aldrich has compounded its annual dividend in excess of 10% over the long term, although it has slowed down in recent years.  Sigma’s 5-year compounded annual dividend growth rate (CADGR) is 9.67%, while its 10-year CADGR is 10.47%.  The company’s 20- and 25-year CADGR increases to 12.81% and 12.83%, respectively.

Sigma-Aldrich has split its stock five times: 2 for 1 in December 1981, 3 for 1 in December 1985, and 2 for 1 again in December 1990, December 1996 and December 2006.

The company has not split its stock since meeting the Dividend Aristocrat criteria of 25 years of dividend increases, but the dividend has grown from 72 cents per share in 2011 to 92 cents, a CADGR of 8.51%.

Sigma-Aldrich’s Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plans

Sigma-Aldrich does not offer either a direct purchase or a dividend reinvestment plan.  Most brokers offer the option for investors to reinvest dividends automatically.  Fees will vary by broker; investors should contact them directly for more information.

Helpful Links

Sigma-Aldrich Investor Relations Website

Current quote and financial summary for Sigma-Aldrich (finviz.com)

Want to find out about more great dividend growth stocks?  Check out the list of current S&P Dividend Aristocrats.