Some Big Names Boost Dividends (NKE) (NP) (WMB) (ACE)

After the close of the market Thursday, several large corporations raised dividends to the pleasure of shareholders everywhere.

Nike (NYSE: NKE) boosted its quarterly dividend 16.1 percent to 36 cents per share, yielding 1.6 percent.

Neenah Paper (NYSE: NP) moved its dividend from 44 to 48 cents per share, a 9 percent increase.

Williams Partners (NYSE: WMB) made a nice 25 percent increase to its dividend, now paying 25 cents per quarter.

Finally, insurer ACE Ltd. (NYSE: ACE) said it would propose a 33 percent increase to its quarterly dividend, moving it from 35 cents to 47 cents per share. Yield on the new dividend would be about 2.8 percent at this afternoon's close.

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