With the fiscal cliff looming large and big-time tax implications coming closer, a horde of companies have either announced special one-time dividends sped up their fourth-quarter payments into calendar year 2012. To date, more than 200 companies have either accelerated dividends or announced special dividends.
This week, 15 firms joined our list of , with eight announcing expedited payouts. (Note: All new yields are as of Dec. 7 midday prices.)
Global pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 3% to 25 cents per share, payable Feb. 1, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 4.
BMY Dividend Yield: 4.32%
West Coast office and multifamily real estate investment trust Douglas Emmett (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 20% to 18 cents per share, payable Jan. 15, 2013, to shareholders of record on Dec. 31, 2012.
DEI Dividend Yield: 2.59%
Global chemical producer Eastman Chemical (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 15% to 30 cents per share, payable Dec. 30 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17.
EMN Dividend Yield: 1.68%
Hospitality and food services product developer Ecolab (NYSE:), a Dependable Dividend Stock, raised its quarterly dividend 15% to 23 cents per share, payable Dec. 28 to shareholders of record on Dec. 18. This represents the company’s 21st consecutive annual dividend increase.
ECL Dividend Yield: 1.1%
Crude oil and liquid petroleum distributor Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 12% to 31.5 cents per share, payable March 1, 2013, to shareholders of record on Feb. 15.
ENB Dividend Yield: 2.67%
Power electronics design and original equipment manufacturing company Espey Manufacturing & Electronics (AMEX:) raised its quarterly dividend 11% to 25 cents per share, payable Dec. 20 to all shareholders of record on Dec. 13.
ESP Dividend Yield: 3.66%
Financial holding company First Financial (NASDAQ:) raised its semi-annual dividend 1.1% to 48 cents per share, payable on Jan. 2, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business Dec. 14, 2012.
THFF Dividend Yield: 3.26%
Fluid handling solutions firm Graco (NYSE:
) raised its quarterly dividend 11.1% to 25 cents per share, payable Feb. 6, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 22.
GGG Dividend Yield: 1.76%
Oil and gas well driller Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 115% to 15 cents per share, payable March 1, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 15.
HP Dividend Yield: 1.09%
Welding, cutting and brazing products manufacturer Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:) raised its quarterly dividend 17.6% to 20 cents per share, payable Dec. 28 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17.
LECO Dividend Yield: 1.68%
Analog integrated circuits manufacturer Linear Technology (NASDAQ:) raised its quarterly dividend 4% to 26 cents per share, payable Dec. 28 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17. This marks the 21st consecutive year the company has increased its dividend.
LTTC Dividend Yield: 2.98%
Mid America Apartment Communities (NYSE:), a Sunbelt-area REIT, raised its quarterly dividend 5.3% to 69.5 cents per share, payable Jan. 31, 2013, to shareholders of record on Jan. 15.
MAA Dividend Yield: 4.41%
Fiber optic and copper data cable provider Optical Cable (NASDAQ:) raised its quarterly dividend 33% to 2 cents per share, payable on or about Dec. 21 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17.
OCC Dividend Yield: 1.42%
Healthcare REIT Universal Health Realty Income (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 8.7% to 62 cents per share, payable Dec. 31 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 17.
UHT Dividend Yield: 5.05%
Coatings and paint maker Valspar (NYSE:) raised its quarterly dividend 15% to 23 cents per share, payable Dec. 28 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17. Valspar has boosted its dividend for 35 consecutive years.
VAL Dividend Yield: 1.5%
Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. For more payout winners, see previous weeks’ lists of .
