In investing, the only way to be absolutely certain that something will happen is to wait until it actually happens. But when it comes to companies with long histories of paying higher dividends each year, counting on them to do everything in their power to keep their dividend hike streaks alive is the next best thing to a sure thing.
Respect the streak
Every year, Standard & Poor's announces its list of Dividend Aristocrats. In order to qualify, a company has to increase its annual dividend payments to shareholders every year for at least 25 years. For 2010, just 43 stocks made the list.
Being a Dividend Aristocrat carries a lot of prestige, especially lately as many investors have started to appreciate stocks that provide consistent income to their shareholders. Demonstrating an ability to maintain ever-increasing payouts over the course of several business cycles shows that a company has the financial strength not just to thrive in bull markets but to survive in tough business environments. Now more than ever, in the aftermath of 2008's financial crisis, investors want assurance that the stocks they own are stable and won't bring them any surprises.
With that reputation on the line, once companies reach the Dividend Aristocrat milestone, they have every incentive to stay on the list. But like those who file their taxes every April 15 at five minutes to midnight, a few companies are letting things go down to the wire before announcing a dividend hike in 2010.
Timing the increase
Among the Dividend Aristocrats, companies use various strategies in timing their payout increases. Many stocks set their increases for the first quarter of every year, thereby leaving no suspense whatsoever that they'll extend their streaks. But others make an annual hike in a different quarter, based on seasonal factors or just historical tradition. Still others make unpredictable dividend increases, sometimes doing so early in one year and late in another.
This year, a fair number of stocks have let things go to the bitter end. Just yesterday, Automatic Data Processing
But there are still a few stocks that should be making a move in the near future:
|
Stock |
Current Dividend Yield |
Years of Dividend Increases |
|---|---|---|
|
Becton, Dickinson |
1.9% | 37 years |
|
Brown-Forman |
1.9% | 26 years |
|
Integrys Energy |
5.1% | 51 years |
Sources: Yahoo! Finance, company releases.
Of these, Becton and Brown-Forman typically wouldn't have paid a dividend yet, so it's reasonable to expect that their next payouts will be higher. With Integrys, though, it's a different story. In October, Integrys announced that it would declare the same $0.68 dividend it had paid out during the previous three quarters, thereby leaving it in a position to end its streak. Technically, the record date for the dividend hasn't passed yet, giving the company a chance to change its mind if it wants. But given the financial trouble Integrys has gone through recently, it's a long shot to expect a special dividend at this point.
Giving up the ghost
In addition, two other stocks will almost certainly leave the list at the end of the year. For SUPERVALU
The shocking move, however, comes from Eli Lilly
No sure things
Given the panache of being a Dividend Aristocrat, you can expect Becton and Brown-Forman to come through with dividend hikes in the coming weeks. But as Lilly and Integrys show, you can't be 100% sure that your wishes will come true.
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