Catching Up On A Few Dividend Increases From Last Week

Last week saw a number of companies announce increases in their dividends. Two notable increases were from L-3 Communications (LLL) and Colgate Palmolive (CL).

L-3 Communications

• announced a 14% increase in the quarterly dividend to 40 cents per share versus 35 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

• based on 2010 estimated earnings per share of $8.15, the projected payout ratio is 20%. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 16%.

• LLL carries an S&P Earnings & Dividend Quality Ranking of A-.
  

Colgate-Palmolive

• announced a 20% increase in the quarterly dividend to 53 cents per share versus 44 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

• based on 2010 estimated earnings per share of $4.85, the projected payout ratio is 45%. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 45%.

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