12 Companies Increasing Dividends Last Week

When evaluating dividend stocks, the culture of maintaining dividend increases throughout various economic cycles is important. Companies that generate excess cash flows are more likely to maintain and increase their dividends. Much more important however are the fundamentals that will pave the way for future dividend increases. Investors should also focus on income stocks which have sustainable dividends.

The companies which announced dividend increases in the past week include:

AFLAC Incorporated (NYSE:AFL), through its subsidiary, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC), provides supplemental health and life insurance. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 10% to 33 cents/share. This dividend aristocrat has raised distributions for 29 years in a row. Yield: 2.80% (analysis)

V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC) designs and manufactures — or sources from independent contractors — various apparel and footwear products primarily in the United States and Europe. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 14.30% to 72 cents/share. This dividend aristocrat has raised distributions for 39 years in a row. Yield: 2.20% (analysis)

Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE:RAI), through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarette and other tobacco products in the United States. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 5.70% to 56 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 8 years in a row. Yield: 5.80%

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE:SXL) engages in the transport and storage of refined products and crude oil, as well as the purchase and sale of crude oil in the United States. The company increased its quarterly distributions to $1.24/share. This master limited partnership has raised distributions for 10 years in a row. Yield: 5.20%

Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:HEP) operates a system of petroleum product and crude oil pipelines, storage tanks, distribution terminals and loading rack facilities. The company increased its quarterly distributions to 87.50 cents/share. This master limited partnership has raised distributions for 7 years in a row. Yield: 6.30%

Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) focuses on natural gas transportation, gathering, treating and processing, storage, natural gas liquid fractionation and oil transportation activities in the United States. The company increased its quarterly distributions to 74.75 cents/share. This master limited partnership has raised distributions for 7 years in a row. Yield: 5.30%

Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP), a media and marketing company, engages in magazine publishing and related brand licensing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing, interactive media and video production businesses in the United States. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 50% to 38.25 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 19 years in a row. Yield: 5.60%

UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:UMBF), a multi-bank holding company, provides banking and other financial services in the United States. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 5.10% to 20.50 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 21 years in a row. Yield: 2.30%

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS) develops and distributes anti-aging personal care products and nutritional supplements worldwide. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 18.50% to 55 cents/share. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 12 years in a row. Yield: 1.30%

Perrigo Company (NASDAQ:PRGO), through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and distributes over-the-counter and generic prescription pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, nutritional products and active pharmaceutical ingredients worldwide. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 14.30% to 8 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 9 years in a row. Yield: 0.30%

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (NYSE:MSM), together with its subsidiaries, operates as a direct marketer and distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations products to industrial customers in the United States. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 13.60% to 25 cents/share. This dividend stock has raised distributions for 9 years in a row. Yield: 1.50%

NewMarket Corporation (NYSE:NEU), through its subsidiaries, engages in the petroleum additives and real estate development businesses. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 10% to 55 cents/share. NewMarket Corporation has raised distributions for 7 years in a row. Yield: 1.50%