All sorts of investors turn to the Dow Jones Industrials (INDEX: ^DJI) and its high-quality stocks. With long track records of excellence, the 30 stocks within the Dow represent blue chip companies that lead their respective industries.
Many Dow stocks are especially valuable to dividend-seeking investors because of their lucrative payouts. A good number of stocks in the Dow have made annual dividend increases part of their routine, making them during the same quarter year in and year out.
Relatively few stocks in the Dow make their annual increases during the third quarter. But here are the ones that were due for increases and will bring you bigger payouts at some point during this quarter:
- Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) announced a 13% jump in its quarterly dividend last month. The payout, which will take place on Aug. 20, will have an ex-dividend date of July 18, meaning that investors who own shares before that date will be entitled to the higher payout of $0.52 per share.
- Back in May, Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) said its third-quarter payout would rise to $0.225 per share, up 7% from its second-quarter dividend. The payment will likely be made on or around Sept. 1, and the stock will probably go ex-dividend in early August.
- United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) has a somewhat odd schedule, usually raising its dividend every five quarters. Sure enough, the company held to that schedule this time around, announcing an 11.5% increase to $0.535 per share, payable Sept. 10, with an ex-dividend date of Aug. 15.
As the quarter goes on, you can also expect to get some news about Dow stocks that traditionally make dividend payments early in the fourth quarter. With each of these three stocks paying yields of 2% or more, their news of higher dividends only reinforces the fact that the Dow is a great place to start for dividend investors seeking reliable income from their portfolios.
Get paid!
With the overall stock market moving up and down but generally making little progress lately, dividends can make the difference between earning a positive return and losing money. Don't settle for less than the best; read the Fool's latest special report and get the names of the three Dow stocks dividend investors need. The report is absolutely free, so just click here and get your copy today.
