Dividends may not seem like much. Over the course of the year, they may add up to no more than 1% to 5% of a company's market capitalization. That's not the point, though. When a company increases its dividend, it's confident about growing its earnings power in the future. That means more than just the quarterly checks. Let's take a closer look at four of the companies that inched their payouts higher this past week.
Let's start with CSX
The rail operators have been chugging along nicely these days. Union Pacific
Burlington Northern's dividend will climb from $0.20 to $0.25 a share every quarter. CSX was even more aggressive, announcing a share buyback, a stock split, and a 54% payout spike.
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Lastly, we can bet the over for the Harrah's Entertainment
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 companies that are committed to growing their distributions, with market-thumping results.
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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. Rick is also part of theRule Breakersnewsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.