NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Brinker International (EAT), News Corp. (NWSA), Altria Group (MO) and HerbaLife (HLF) were among the consumer stocks to raise their dividends in recent weeks.
 |
On Monday, Brinker International, the parent company of Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants, said its board of directors approved a 14.3% increase to its quarterly dividend. It will pay 16 cents a share on Sept. 29 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 9. That brings Brinker's yield to around 2.8% going forward.
Cigarette maker Altria Group said Friday it would increase its regular quarterly dividend by 7.9% to 41 cents per share, payable on Oct. 11 to holders of record on Sept. 15. That will bring Altria's yield to around 6.1%.
On Aug. 16, restaurateur Bob Evans Farms (BOBE) raised its quarterly payout by 25% to 25 cents per share. The company also posted a 42% spike in quarterly profits on lower wage costs. Bob Evans' higher dividend will be paid on Sept. 19 to shareholders of record on Sept. 6, bringing its yield to around 3.1%. Earlier this month on Aug. 10 media company News Corp. said it would pay holders of its Class A and Class B shares 9.5 cents per share on Oct. 19, reflecting an ordinary dividend of 8.5 cents and an incremental penny per share based on its fiscal 2011 financial results. That brings News Corp.'s yield to around 1.2% going forward.Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG), the maker of lawn and garden care products, said Aug. 8 it increased its dividend by 20% to 30 cents per share. The higher dividend will be paid on Sept. 9 to shareholders of record on Aug. 26. Scotts' yield is now around 2.5%.
Select the service that is right for you!
COMPARE ALL SERVICESAction Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREEJim Cramer and Stephanie Link actively manage a real portfolio and reveal their money management tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.
Product Features:
- $2.5+ million portfolio
- Large-cap and dividend focus
- Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
- Weekly roundups
Dividend Stock Advisor
TRY IT FREENew! $49.95/yr
Jim Cramer's protege, David Peltier, identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.
Product Features:
- Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
- Alerts when market news affect the portfolio
- Bi-weekly updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Stocks Under $10
TRY IT FREEDavid Peltier, uncovers low dollar stocks with extraordinary upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.
Product Features:
- Model portfolio
- Stocks trading below $10
- Intraday trade alerts
- Weekly roundups
Real Money
TRY IT FREE24/7 market commentary from Jim Cramer and 20+ veteran Wall Street gurus. Get access to the latest trading ideas on stocks, options, and ETFs as well as a real-time forum to see the pros exchanging their investment ideas.
Product Features:
- Jim Cramer + 20 Wall Street pros
- Intraday commentary & news
- Real-time trading forum
- Actionable trade ideas
Real Money Pro
TRY IT FREEAll of Real Money, plus 15 more of Wall Street's sharpest minds delivering actionable trading ideas, a comprehensive look at the market, and fundamental and technical analysis.
Product Features:
- Real Money + Doug Kass + 15 more Wall Street Pros
- Intraday commentary & news
- Ultra-actionable trading ideas
Options Profits
TRY IT FREEOur options trading pros provide daily market commentary and over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.
Product Features:
- 100+ monthly options trading ideas
- Actionable options commentary & news
- Real-time trading community
- Options TV
