4 Top Dividend Growth Stocks Which Recently Raised Yields

Companies that can consistently raise their dividend represent some of the best investment opportunities over time. One great example about dividend growth investing is the fact that Warren Buffett has received more in dividend payouts from Coke (KO) then his original investment. Over the next few years, Buffett said he wouldn't be surprised to see their share of Coke's annual earnings exceed 100% of what they paid for the investment. "Time is the friend of the wonderful business," Buffett likes to say. Below we highlighted four dividend growth stocks that recently raised payouts to investors:

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (NYSE: IFF): On August 5, IF&F raised its quarterly dividend 20.5% to $0.47 per share, or $1.88 annualized. The dividend will be payable on October 7, 2014, to stockholders of record on September 25, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of September 23, 2014. The annual yield on the dividend is 1.8 percent. Including this authorization, IFF's quarterly dividend payment will have grown by a compound annual growth rate of 15% over the last four years.

Tesoro Corp. (NYSE: TSO). On July 30, Tesoro raised its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30 per share, or $1.20 annualized. The dividend will be payable on September 15, 2014, to stockholders of record on August 29, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of August 27, 2014. The annual yield on the dividend is 2 percent. This is the third annual dividend hike in as many years.

Leggett & Platt, Inc. (NYSE: LEG). On August 5, Leggett & Platt raised its quarterly dividend 3.3% to $0.31 per share, or $1.24. The dividend will be payable on October 15, 2014, to stockholders of record on September 15, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of September 11, 2014. The annual yield on the dividend is 3.7 percent. The company has increased its annual dividend for 43 consecutive years, at a 13% compound average growth rate. Notably, only 11 members of the S&P 500 have a longer string of consecutive annual dividend increases. In addition, Leggett & Platt possesses one of the highest dividend yields among the S&P 500's Dividend Aristocrats.

Crane (NYSE: CR): On July 29, Crane raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.33 per share, or $1.32 annualized. The dividend will be payable on September 9, 2014, to stockholders of record on August 29, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of August 27, 2014. The annual yield on the dividend is 2 percent. Crane has raised its dividend each of the last four years.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Dividend News at StreetInsider.com's Dividend Insider. For Real-Time access to Dividend Hike information sign-up for SI Premium's Dividend Hike feed.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Deere shares climb as fiscal Q3 earnings and revenue top estimates
• LSI Industries (LYTS) Tops Q4 EPS by 3c, Beats on Revenue
• ABAT posts record gross profit, wins reinstatement of $57M DOE grant