UBS Dividend Ruler Stocks Keep Raising Dividend Payouts

A new report from the Dividend Ruler analysts at UBS highlights the many stocks in the current portfolio that have already raised dividends this year. We screened the companies that had a dividend increase for the highest yielding stocks.

Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE: CL) sells its products in more than 200 countries and makes over 75% of its revenue outside the United States, which provides geographic diversification and growth opportunities in emerging markets for the company. This diversity, matched with a huge list of consumer products, keeps revenues and dividends growing. The company raised the dividend by 6% in February.

Colgate-Palmolive investors are paid a 2.2% dividend. The UBS price target for the stock is $74, and the Thomson/First Call consensus price target is $72.68. Colgate closed Thursday at $68.53 a share.

Dominion Resources Inc. (NYSE: D) reported solid earnings and raised the dividend by 8% in February. That represents the 12th consecutive annual dividend increase. The utility has filed a petition with Virginia State Corporation Commission for building the first large-scale solar facility in the state.

Dominion investors are paid a very solid 3.72% dividend. The consensus price target is $80.07. The stock closed Thursday at $69.82 a share.

ALSO READ: 4 Top Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy for Market Safety

NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is another top utility that raised the payout to shareholders. It recently raised the dividend by 6%. The company is the old Florida Power and Light, and continues to rank as the best of all major electric companies in Florida.

NextEra shareholders are paid a tidy 3.05% dividend. The consensus price target is $116.59. Shares closed trading on Thursday at $100.52.

Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) is one of the leading fashion specialty retailers based in the United States. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 260 stores in 35 states, including 117 full-line stores, 140 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store. In February, the company raised its dividend, a 10% increase, for the sixth consecutive year.

Investors are paid a 1.8% dividend. The consensus price target is $77.95. Nordstrom closed Thursday above that level at $80.28.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD) is based in Canada and is a stock that the UBS team is very bullish on. TD Bank is one of the 10 largest banks in the United States, providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 locations throughout the country. The bank raised the dividend 9% at the end of last month.

Toronto-Dominion shareholders are paid a very nice 3.85% dividend. The consensus price target is $58.65. Shares closed at $42.38.

ALSO READ: Warren Buffett’s Top 8 Dividend Stocks

Companies that consistently return earnings to shareholders via dividends and increase in those dividends are putting shareholders first. In a pricey market, these are the kind of stocks to buy and hold for the long term.