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Nike, Merck, and Aflac were among the large U.S. companies that announced dividend increases this week.
Nike (ticker: NKE), the global sports apparel and footwear company, plans to boost its quarterly disbursement by 3 cents, or 12%, to 27.5 cents a share. The stock, which yields 0.7%, has returned about 32% this year.
The major pharmaceutical company Merck (MRK) has declared a quarterly payout of 65 cents a share, a 6.6% hike from 61 cents currently. The stock, whose year-to-date return is minus 9%, yields 3.2%.
Insurer Aflac (AFL) declared a quarterly dividend of 33 cents a share, an increase of 5 cents, or nearly 18%. The stock is down about 15% this year, dividends included. It yields 3%.
Real-estate investment trust Kimco Realty (KIM), which owns and operates open-air shopping centers, said it plans to boost its quarterly dividend to 16 cents a share, up 60% from 10 cents.
The company suspended its quarterly dividend in May, then 28 cents a share, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but reinstated it in early September at 10 cents a share. The stock, which yields 2.7%, is down about 25% this year, dividends included.
Motorola Solutions (MSI) declared a quarterly dividend of 71 cents a share. That is an 11% boost from 64 cents. The stock, which yields 1.5%, has returned about 5% in 2020.
Agilent Technologies (A), which makes medical supplies and other products, is planning to raise its quarterly payout to 19.4 cents a share from 18 cents. That is an increase of nearly 8%. The stock, which yields 0.7%, has returned about 32% this year, including dividends.
Brown-Forman (BF.B) is raising its quarterly dividend by 3% to 17.95 cents a share from 17.43 cents. The increase applies the company’s class A and B common stock. Its brands include Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Finlandia vodka.
The stock, which yields 0.9%, has returned about 19% this year.
Write to Lawrence C. Strauss at [email protected]
