Dividend checks continue to get fatter in corporate America, as more companies jack up their distribution rates. Readers of the Income Investor newsletter service can certainly appreciate that kind of thinking. So let's take a closer look at some of the companies that inched their payouts higher these past few days.
We can start with Seadrill (SDRL). The deep-sea offshore oil-drilling rig contractor is fueling its quarterly dividend 5% higher to $0.88 a share. Seadrill came through with the boost after delivering better-than-expected quarterly results on Tuesday.
Business should continue to coast along for Seadrill, as it has six more ultra-deepwater drillships joining its fleet between now and the end of next year.
Daktronics (DAKT) also knows the score. The largest supplier of electronic scoreboards and other gargantuan displays boosted its semi-annual dividend by 4%. Investors will be getting $0.12 a share every six months. Daktronics was able to return more money to its stakeholders after posting a slight increase in quarterly revenue as it reversed a year-ago loss with a small profit.
Golar LNG (GLNG 0.32%) is also a gusher. The liquefied natural gas transporter is increasing its quarterly rate by 6% to $0.45 a share.
When investors receive Golar LNG's distribution later this month it will be the first cash they get back from the company this year. Like many other companies trying to get ahead of what could've been dramatic increases in dividend tax rates for 2013, Golar LNG shelled out its first-quarter disbursement of $0.425 a share late last year.
Finally we have American Eagle Outfitters (AEO 6.32%) dressing up its payout. The clothing retailer with more than 1,000 locations is pumping up its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.125 a share. Fashion can be fickle, but American Eagle Outfitters has been able to come through with 36 consecutive quarterly distributions.
Checks and balances
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