Debt worries in the Eurozone and talks of financial reform from the United States and Western Europe have plagued the markets this week, yet some companies have still chosen to reward their shareholders for helping them through the rough times. Here we shall take a look at them.

Portland General Electric (POR), electricity provider based in Oregon, has increased its dividend to $0.26 per share. This gives a new yield of 5.29%. Nordstrom (JWN), a specialty retailer of clothing and accessories, has increased its dividend 25% to $0.20 per share. This produces a new yield of 2.10%. Northrop Grumman (NOC), a large producer of military equipment and government IT systems, has increased its dividend to $0.47 per share. This generates a new yield of 3.02%. ACE Limited (ACE), commercial insurance provider, has increased its dividend to $0.33 per share producing a yield of 2.59%.

Excel Energy (XEL), a company produced by the merging of Northern States Power and New Century Energies, has increased its dividend to $0.2525 per share. This gives a new yield to investors of 4.82%. Safeway (SWY), a large food retailer throughout US and Canada, has increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12 per share. This generates a new yield of 2.09%. Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS), a very large drinks manufacturing company, has increased its dividend a respectable 67% to $0.25 per share. This gives a new yield of 2.72%.

Ship Finance (SFL), a company specializing in leasing crude oil tankers, has increased its dividend to $0.33 per share. This produces a new yield of 7.84%. Tiffany (TIF), manufacturer and retailer of high quality jewelery, has increased its dividend 25% to $0.25 taking the yield to 2.39%. Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), provider of freight transportation in the US and Canada, has increased its dividend to C$0.27. This gives a new yield of 2%.

Dividend Achievers and Aristocrats

First Financial (THFF), a financial services provider with offices in Indiana and Illinois, has increased its dividend to $0.46 per share; the dividend is played biannually. The yield based on this new dividend is 3.08%; First Financial is a dividend achiever. Republic Bancorp (RBCAA), a bank serving the whole of the US, has increased its quarterly dividend to $0.143 per share. This gives a new yield of 2.41%; Republic Bancorp is a dividend achiever. Clorox (CLX), a producer of household cleaning goods, groceries and food, has increased its dividend to $0.55 per share, producing a yield of 3.50%. Clorox qualifies as a dividend aristocrat having increased its dividend without fail for the past 22 years.

Final Thoughts

The best yield in here for dividend investors is Ship Finance’s, by far, at 7.84%. If the problems with BP continue, and the oil industry is thrown into the spotlight with new regulations, there might be a dip in Ship Finance’s share price, and it might be possible to squeeze a few extra basis points into the yield. Other than that there are a few 3% yields floating around which might be seen as attractive for some portfolios. With Clorox’s yields at 3.50% and a long history of increasing yields it might make for good returns in the future.

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