The Top Dividend Stocks of the Week

Some investors received a double bonus last week, not just an increase in share price but also a boost in dividend, providing a nice financial gift for year-end.

Stockpickr has reviewed the list of stocks that increased their dividends last week and assembled the ones with the greatest percentage increases in their dividend payouts in the Dividend-Raisers for the Week Ended 12-02-07.

At the top of the list is Intel(INTC Quote), which increased its dividend by 13%. The stock has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.8, a P/E-to-growth (PEG) ratio of 1.2, and it pays a yield of 1.7%.

Intel shares are owned by Moore Capital, a group of hedge funds managed by noted trader Louis Bacon. Its Global Investments fund has generated an average annual return of 24% since inception. Moore also owns Qualcomm(QCOM Quote), which yields 1.4%, Motorola(MOT Quote), with a 1.3% yield, and Lehman Brothers(LEH Quote), which pays a 1% yield.

Another dividend-raiser last week was spice maker McCormick & Co.(MKC Quote), which increased its dividend by 10%. Last month, the company announced that it's buying the Lawry's business, which makes seasonings and marinades, from Unilever(UL Quote) for more than $600 million. McCormick has a P/E of 22.6, a PEG of 2.2 and a yield of 2.3%.