14 Dividend Stocks Rewarding Shareholders With A Raise

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals worldwide. The Company operates through the segments, including Performance Chemicals and Refining Solutions. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4.90% to 32 cents/share. This marked the 23rd consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever (2). Over the past decade, Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) has managed to increase annual dividends at a rate of 13.30%/year. The company managed to grow earnings per share from $1.47 in 2006 to $3 in 2015. The company is expected to earn $3.52/share in 2016. The stock is overvalued at 26.40 times earnings and yields 1.40%. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) may be worth another look on dips below $71/share.

Infinity Property and Casualty Corp. (NASDAQ:IPCC), through its subsidiaries, provides personal automobile insurance with a focus on nonstandard market in the United States. It also writes standard and preferred personal auto insurance, mono-line commercial auto insurance, and classic collector automobile insurance. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 11.60% to 58 cents/share. This marked the 15th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever (2). Over the past decade, Infinity Property and Casualty Corp. (NASDAQ:IPCC) has managed to increase annual dividends at a rate of 21.40%/year. The company earned $4.26/share in 2006 and earned $4.51/share in 2015. Infinity Property and Casualty Corp. (NASDAQ:IPCC) is expected to earn $2.55/share in 2016 and $4.15/share in 2017. The stock is overvalued at present times and yields 2.60%. I would take a pass at the company given the high valuation and lack of earnings growth over the past decade.

Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI), through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. The company operates through three segments: General Insurance Group, Title Insurance Group, and the Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 1.30% to 19 cents/share. This marked the 36th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend champion. Over the past decade, Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) has managed to increase annual dividends at a rate of 2.40%/year. The slow growth in dividends was due to the lack of earnings growth. Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) earned $1.99/share in 2006, which decreased to $1.58/share by 2016. Without earnings growth, future dividend growth will be impossible. Due to this reason, I will pass on the company today, despite the fact that the stock is attractively valued at 13.20 times forward earnings and yields 2.40%.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) operates as an energy services holding company worldwide. The Company’s principal operating units are San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas); Sempra International, which includes Sempra South American Utilities and Sempra Mexico segments, and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, which includes Sempra Renewables and Sempra Natural Gas segments. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 8.90% to 82.25 cents/share. This marked the 14th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever (2). Over the past decade, Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) has managed to increase annual dividends at a rate of 9.60%/year. The company managed to grow earnings per share from $4.17 in 2006 to $5.37 in 2015. The company is expected to earn $4.82/share in 2016. The stock is overvalued at 22.60 times forward earnings and yields 3%. Given the slow rate of earnings growth, and the high valuation, I would take a pass at Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE).