This month, the Los Angeles Times wrote that 444 American companies increased their dividends in the second quarter of this year, while only 21 scaled back their payouts. But it's hard to keep track of 444 companies, so I've highlighted three stocks that will help you diversify your portfolio and take advantage of this dividend trend.
Dividend Rx
Coming off a great third quarter when earnings rose an unexpectedly high 30%, Walgreen
There is some speculation, however, that Walgreen will run into some trouble over a coming contract renewal with pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts
Double up the dividends
Mining company Cliffs Natural Resources
Dividends for breakfast
When I broke out the dividend leaders in the food industry last month, I mentioned that General Mills
The increase will cost the company an additional $64 million annually, but investors needn't worry. General Mills is old hat at the dividend game, consistently paying out to investors for the last 112 years.
Bottom line
A diverse portfolio is crucial to investing. If investors can incorporate strong dividend stocks into that diversity, especially with companies with excellent dividend pedigrees like Walgreen and General Mills, then they are that much better off.
Interested in dividend stocks? Check out our free report, "13 High-Yielding Stocks to Buy Today."