4 Dividend Increases Earlier This Month

February is the busiest month for dividend increases and below is detail on four companies increasing their payouts earlier this month.

Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL)

• announced a 10.3% increase in the quarterly dividend to 16 cents per share versus 14.5 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

• based on 2010 estimated earnings per share of $3.14, the projected payout ratio is 20%. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 20%.

• SIAL carries an S&P Earnings & Dividend Quality Ranking of A+ and is one of S&P's Dividend Aristocrats.
  

United Technologies (UTX)

• announced a 10.4% increase in the quarterly dividend to 42.5 cents per share versus 38.5 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

• based on 2010 estimated earnings per share of $4.60, the projected payout ratio is 37%. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 27%.

• UTX carries an S&P Earnings & Dividend Quality Ranking of A+.
  

Archer-Daniels Midland (ADM)

• announced a 7.1% increase in the quarterly dividend to 15 cents per share versus 14 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

• based on June 2010 estimated earnings per share of $2.96, the projected payout ratio is 20%. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 18%.

• ADM carries an S&P Earnings & Dividend Quality Ranking of A and is one of S&P's Dividend Aristocrats.
  

Bemis (BMS)

• announced a 2.2% increase in the quarterly dividend to 23 cents per share versus 22.5 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

• based on 2010 estimated earnings per share of $1.92, the projected payout ratio is 48%. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 49%.

• BMS carries an S&P Earnings & Dividend Quality Ranking of B+ and is one of S&P's Dividend Aristocrats.

Disclosure: Long interest in UTX.