20 Stocks Not Missing Their Opportunity to Raise Dividends

At some point in the future we will look back at our actions today and refer to them as our greatest missed opportunity? A successful dividend growth strategy takes time. Unfortunately, many income investors don't have the luxury of time on their side and must focus on high-yield investments to meet current expenses. These high-yield investments are often accompanied by high risk. For those with time, a solid long-term strategy focusing on quality stocks that grow their dividends will treat them well in their retirement years.

Below are several companies that did not miss missing this opportunity to raise their cash dividends:

CTS Corporation (CTS) engages in the design, manufacture, assembly and sale of electronic components and sensors, as well as the provision of electronics manufacturing services worldwide. December 15, the company increased its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.035 per share. The dividend is payable on Feb. 3, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.6%.

Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (UBA), a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the acquisition, ownership, and management of commercial real estate properties in the United States. December 15, the company increased its quarterly dividend 1$ to $0.2475 per share. The dividend is payable Jan. 20, 2012 to stockholders of record on Jan. 6, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 5.7%.

UDR Inc. (UDR) formerly United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc., operates as a self-administered equity real estate investment trust (REIT). December 15th the company increased it quarterly dividend 7.5% to $0.2150 per share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2012 to shareholders of record as of January 11, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc. (WDR) provides investment management, investment product underwriting and! distrib ution, and shareholder services administration to mutual funds, and institutional and separately managed accounts. December 15, the company increased it quarterly dividend 25% to $0.25 per share. The dividend is payable on Feb. 1, 2012 to stockholders of record as of Jan. 3, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.

City Holding Company (CHCO) operates as the bank holding company for City National Bank of West Virginia that offers community banking services to consumers and local businesses. December 15, the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 31, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.3%.

Discover Financial Services (DFS), a bank holding company, offers direct banking and payment services in the U.S. December 15, the company increased its quarterly dividend 67% to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 19, 2012, to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 29, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.7%.

Boston Properties Inc. (BXP), a real estate investment trust (REIT), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership and development of office properties. December 14, the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.55 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 27, 2012 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 31, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 2.3%.

Nucor Corporation (NUE) engages in the manufacture and sale of steel and steel products in North America and internationally. December 14, the company increased its quarterly dividend 0.7% to $0.365 per share. The dividend is payable on Feb. 10, 2012 to stockholders of record on Dec. 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.

Pentair Inc. (PNR) operates as a diversified industrial manufacturing company worldwide. December 14, the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0! .22 cent s per share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.6%.

Realty Income Corporation (O) engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial retail real estate properties in the United States. December 14, the company increased its quarterly dividend 0.2% to $0.1455 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 17, 2012 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 2, 2012. This is the 57th consecutive quarterly increase and the 64th dividend increase since Realty Income went public in 1994. The yield based on the new payout is 5.2%.

Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) is a publicly owned real estate investment trust (REIT) engaged in the ownership and operation of hotel properties. December 14, the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.05 per share. The dividend is payable on Jan. 17, 2012, to stockholders of record on Dec. 30, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.

Moody's Corporation (MCO) provides credit ratings; credit and economic related research, data, and analytical tools. December 13, the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable March 10, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 20, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

SEI Investments Co. (SEIC) is a publicly owned investment manager. December 13, the company increased its semi-annual dividend to $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on Dec. 28, 2011 with a payment date of Jan. 6, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

WD-40 Company (WDFC) engages in the production and sale of consumer products. December 13, the company increased its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.29 per share. The dividend is payable Jan. 31, 2012 to stockholders of record on Jan. 6, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

The Boeing Company (BA) engages in the design, development, m! anufactu re, sale, and support of commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems. December 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.44 per share. The dividend is payable March 2, 2012, to shareholders of record as of Feb. 10, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.

Pfizer Inc. (PFE), a biopharmaceutical company, offers prescription medicines for humans and animals worldwide. December 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10 percent to $0.22 per share. The dividend is payable March 6, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 3, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 4.2%.

Ingersoll-Rand Plc (IR) engages in the design, manufacture, sale, and service of a portfolio of industrial and commercial products in the United States and internationally. December 12, the company increased its quarterly dividend 33% to $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable March 30, 2012, to shareholders of record on March 12, 2012. The yield based on the new payout is 2.1%.

General Electric Company (GE) operates as a technology, service, and finance company worldwide. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 13.3% to $0.17 per share. The dividend is payable January 25, 2012 to shareowners of record at the close of business on Dec. 27, 2011. The ex-dividend date is Dec. 22, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.

Taubman Centers Inc. (TCO) operates as a real estate investment trust. As of June 30, 2005, the company owned a 63% managing general partner's interest in The Taubman Realty Group Limited Partnership (the operating partnership). December 9, the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.9% to $0.45 per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on Dec. 19, 2011. The yield based on the new payout is 3.0%.

Waste Management Inc. (WM) pr! ovides w aste management services to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers in North America. December 9, the company increased its quarterly dividend 4.4% to $0.355 per share. This marks the eighth consecutive year that the company has increased its planned quarterly dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 4.5%.

Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long NUE, O (Dividend Growth Portfolio), UBA (High Yield Portfolio). See a list of all my dividend growth holdings here.

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