Seven Dividend Stocks Increasing Distributions

I browse through the list of weekly dividend increases, in order to uncover hidden dividend gems. I typically weed out companies which have raised distributions for less than five years. I have highlighted seven income stocks, which have raised distributions for five years in a row. Not all of these stocks are buys however. I require at least ten years of consistent dividend raises before I include stocks in my portfolio. You could read more about my entry criteria here. The stocks raising dividends include:

The Clorox Company (CLX) engages in the production, marketing, and sales of consumer products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Cleaning, Lifestyle, Household, and International. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 9.10% to 60 cents/share. Clorox is a dividend aristocrat which has raised distributions to shareholders for 34 consecutive years. Yield: 3.40% (analysis)

First Financial Corporation (THFF), through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Indiana and Illinois. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 2.20% to 47 cents/share. First Financial Corporation is a dividend champion which has raised dividends for 23 consecutive years. Yield: 3%

Safeway Inc (SWY)., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food and drug retailer in North America. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 20.80% to 14.50 cents/share. Safeway has raised dividends for 7 years in a row. Yield: 2.30%

Tiffany & Co. (TIF), through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and retail of fine jewelry. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 16% to 29 cents/share. Tiffany has raised dividends for 9 years in a row. Yield: 1.70%

Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL), through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and public authorities in the United States. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 3% to 26 cents/share. Xcel Energy has raised dividends for 8 consecutive years. Yield: 4.10%

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing integrated circuits used in industrial, communication, computer, and consumer applications. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 13.60% to 25 cents/share. Analog Devices has raised dividends for 9 years in a row. Yield: 2.50%

W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB), through its subsidiaries, operates in the property casualty insurance business in the United States and internationally. The company announced an increase in quarterly distributions by 14.30% to 8 cents/share. W.R. Berkley Corporation has raised dividends for 10 years in a row. Yield: 1%

I recently added to my position in Clorox (CLX) on the dip created by the company's weaker than expected third quarter results. Given the P/E of 17.60, sustainable dividend payout and the current yield of 3.40% I still find the company to be an attractive investment.

Full Disclosure: Long CLX

Relevant Articles:

- Clorox (CLX) Dividend Stock Analysis

- Dividend Aristocrats list for 2011

- Twelve Income Stocks Rewarding Patient Dividend Investors

- How to Uncover Hidden Dividend Gems