17 Companies Increasing Dividends

Another week is in the books, and once again we saw another bevy of big names reporting earnings — and boosting shareholder bottom lines. This week�s diverse group of dividend divas includes a REIT, a bourbon maker, a tech titan and two iconic toy makers. Here are 17 companies increasing dividends.

Apartment REIT AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB) raised the rent it pays to shareholders by 8.7% to 97 cents per share. The new dividend is payable on Apr. 16 to shareholders of record as of March 30. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 1 closing price of $136.92 (the day the dividend was declared), is 2.83%.

Bourbon maker Beam (NYSE:BEAM) distilled a new dividend of 20.5 cents per share, a 7.9% increase from the previous payout. The new, higher-proof dividend will be poured on March 1 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 8. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 27 closing price of $52.77, is 1.55%.

Wireless chipmaker Broadcom (NASDAQ:BRCM) rang up shareholders� cell phones with an 11% spike in its quarterly payout to 10 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid March 5 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 17. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 31 closing price of $34.35, is 1.16%.

Exchange operator CME Group (NYSE:CME) traded up for a higher payout to shareholders, increasing its dividend by 59% to $2.23 per share. The company also declared an additional, annual variable dividend, amounting to $3 per share in 2012.� Both dividends, totaling $5.23 per share, will be payable on March 26 to shareholders of record as of March 9. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 2 closing price of $266.01, is 3.35%.

Electric and gas utility CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS) turned the power up on its dividend, increasing the payout 14% to 24 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid on Feb. 29 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 10. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 27 closing price of $22.09, is 4.35%.

Filtration systems maker Donaldson (NYSE:DCI) purified its payout, upping its quarterly dividend 7% to 16 cents per share. The new dividend is payable March 9 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 17. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 27 closing price of $71.61, is .89%. The company also authorized a two-for-one split of its common stock, which will take effect March 23 to shareholders of record as of March 2.

Engineering and construction firm Fluor (NYSE:FLR) built a new payout for shareholders, raising its quarterly dividend by 28% to 16 cents per share. The new dividend is payable Apr. 3 to shareholders of record as of March 5. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 2 closing price of $57.97, is 1.10%. The company also tapped CEO David Seaton to takeover the role as chairman.

Toy maker Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) added some mirth to shareholders� portfolios, increasing its dividend by 20% to 36 cents a share. Shareholders will be able to play with the new payout on May 15, if they’e owners of record as of May 1. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 2 closing price of $35.14, is 4.10%.

Confectioner Hershey Foods (NYSE:HSY) sweetened its payout by 10% to 38 cents per share. The tastier dividend will be paid March 15 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 24. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 1 closing price of $61.30, is 2.48%.

Trucking and logistics firm J.B. Hunt (NASDAQ:JBHT) carried an increasing dividend payload to shareholders, delivering a penny increase in its quarterly payout to 14 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid Feb. 24 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 14. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 2 closing price of $51.17, is 1.09%.

Lingerie and bath products seller Limited Brands (NYSE:LTD) raised the limit on its dividend, increasing its quarterly payout 25% to 25 cents per share. The sexy new dividend is payable March 9 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 24. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 30 closing price of $41.00, is 2.44%.

Oil sands giant Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) dug up a 13% increase in its quarterly dividend to 17 cents per share. The new payout will be pumped into portfolios on March 12 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 16. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 27 closing price of $31.24, is 2.11%.

Barbie and Hot Wheels maker Mattel (NYSE:MAT) dressed up its dividend by 35% to 31 cents per share. The hot new payout will be wheeled out March 9 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 23. The new dividend yield, based on the Jan. 31 closing price of $31, is 4%.

Office and business machine maker Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI) increased the fiscal productivity of shareholders, lifting its quarterly dividend to 37.5 cents per share. The new dividend is payable March 12 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 17. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 1 closing price of $19.16, is 7.83%.

Discount clothing retailer Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) increased the price it pays to shareholders by 27% to 14 cents per share. The dressed up payout will be donned March 30 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 17. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 2 closing price of $51.19, is 1.09%.

Energy stock Sunoco (NYSE:SUN) gave shareholders a ray of dividend light, increasing its payout 25% to 20 cents per share. The new dividend is payable March 8 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 15. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb. 2 closing price of $38.25, is 2.09%.

Global direct-selling giant Tupperware (NYSE:TUP) sealed up a 20% gain in its quarterly dividend to 36 cents per share. The new dividend is payable Apr. 6 to shareholders of record as of March 20. The new dividend yield, based on the Feb.1 closing price of $61.38, is 2.35%.

Disclosure: At the time of publication, Jim Woods held no positions in any of the stocks mentioned in this article.