Dividends aren't just for those with a hankering for income-producing investments. Seeking out companies that are increasing their distributions is often a good way to spot businesses with improving fundamentals. They wouldn't be so quick to part with their money if they thought they might need it soon.

Let's take a closer look at four of the companies that inched their payouts higher this past week.

We'll start with United Technologies (NYSE:UTX). The home of Carrier air conditioning units and Otis elevators is boosting its dividend by 20%. Stockholders will now be getting $0.265 every quarter for each share they own.

Thrifty shoppers may recognize Tanger Factory Outlet Centers (NYSE:SKT), and miserly investors may be ready to follow suit. The company's quarterly payout is rising from $0.325 to $0.34 per share. Overseeing eight million square feet of marked-down clearance shops for brand-name retailers has paid off well for Tanger; this is its 13th straight year of dividend hikes. This niche isn't necessarily a slam dunk, though. Just look into the recent trouble at Mills Corp. (NYSE:MLS) for a glimpse at how even the largest of outlet-center landlords can struggle.

Overseas Shipholding Group (NYSE:OSG) was another hiker. The operator of 113 oil tankers and cargo vessels has tapped a gusher this time, spiking its dividend rate by 43% to return a $0.25-per-share quarterly disbursement to its shareowners. This has been a pretty good group lately; rival Top Tankers (NASDAQ:TOPT) hiked its yield just last month.

Then we have LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO). The company's monthly dividend rate is checking in with an impressive uptick, going from $0.10 to $0.14 a share. The timing of the move is inspiring, since the operator of 28 hotels is set to report earnings later this week.

Subscribers to our Income Investor newsletter can appreciate companies that send more and more money to their investors. Analyst Mathew Emmert has often singled out firms that are committed to growing their distributions, with market-thumping results.

Want to see what Mathew's liking these days? Give his newsletter service a shot with a 30-day trial subscription. Who knows? Maybe the next thing to get hiked will be your interest.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz pays attention to yield signs. He does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story. The Fool has a disclosure policy. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.