Corporate America is sitting on a lot of cash and more companies are beginning to dole out more with dividends. With companies issuing higher payouts and bond yields still low, dividend exchange traded funds may begin to attract even greater interest.
S&P 500 dividends rose about 15% in the first quarter year-over-year, writes Eddy Elfenbein for Crossing Wall Street.
Apple (NasadqGS: AAPL) has announced its intent to give back to its investors. CA Technologies is quintupling its dividend payouts. JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) has also raised its dividends. [Three ‘Fairly Valued’ Dividend ETFs]
All in all, 122 companies from the S&P 500 have raised their dividends, and seven new companies are starting to issue payments. Only three have diminished their dividends. [Dividend ETFs for an Uncertain Market]