Recent Dividend Increases

Dividend investors would be wise to focus not just on a stock's current yield, but also on the long-term growth potential of its dividends. That's because strong businesses that consistently raise their dividend payouts reward shareholders with a steadily rising income stream that essentially equates to a raise every year. Below are some stocks which have increased their dividends recently.

Aflac (AFL) - The board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by 5.7%, effective with the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter dividend of $.37 per share is payable on December 2, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 20, 2013. This marks the 31^st consecutive year in which the dividend has been increased.

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) - The board of directors of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.  approved a 10% increase in the cash dividend to an annual rate of $1.92 per share, Carlos A. Rodriguez, chief executive officer, announced recently. The new quarterly dividend of 48 cents per share compares with the previous quarterly dividend rate of 43.5 cents per share. This increased quarterly dividend will be distributed on January 1, 2014 to shareholders of record at December 13, 2013. The increased cash dividend marks the 39^th consecutive year in which the company has raised its dividend.

Realty Income (O) - Recently announced its board of directors has declared an increase in the company's common stock monthly cash dividend to $0.1818542 per share from $0.1815417 per share. The dividend is payable on October 15, 2013 to shareholders of record as of October 1, 2013. This is the 73^rd dividend increase since Realty Income went public in 1994. The new monthly dividend amount represents an annualized dividend amount of approximately $2.182 per share as compared to the previous annualized dividend amount of approximately $2.179 per share.

Nike (NKE) - Nike said it's increasing its quarterly dividend by 14% to 24 cents a share, up from 21 cents a share. The dividend is payable on January 6, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2013. This is the twelfth year in a row the component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased its annual dividend.

United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI)  - United Bankshares provides commercial and retail banking services and products in the United States. November 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.2% to $0.32 per share. The dividend is payable January 2, 2014 to shareholders of record as of December 13, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 4.2%.

Emerson (EMR) - The board of directors of Emerson voted recently to increase the quarterly cash dividend from forty-one cents ($0.41) to forty-three cents ($0.43) per share of common stock payable December 10, 2013 to stockholders of record November 15, 2013.

Parkway Properties, Inc. (PKY) - A real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the operation, acquisition, ownership, management, and leasing of office properties. November 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend 25% to $0.1875 per share. The dividend is payable December 26, 2013 to shareholders of record for Common Stock on December 12, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 4.4%.

Full Disclosure: I have a position in Realty Income (O) at the time of this writing. You can see a list of all my dividend growth positions here.