These 16 Stocks That Pay Dividends Just Sweetened the Deal for Investors By Diane Alter

Income-hungry investors continue to pile into stocks that pay dividends amid a persistently yield-challenged environment. The S&P 500 is on track to turn in a dividend record in Q3, with the July-September period set to boast the largest combined dividend payment ever by S&P 500 companies, at more than $10 a share. The post These 16 Stocks That Pay Dividends Just Sweetened the Deal for Investors appeared first on Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From .

Income-hungry investors continue to pile into stocks that pay dividends amid a persistently yield-challenged environment.

Stocks That Pay DividendsIndeed, the yield on the U.S. Treasury bill (a popular income investment) maturing on Oct. 2 traded at -0.01% last week, and yields on other Treasury bills due in three months or less hovered near zero.

Further boosting the appeal of dividend stocks is that the U.S. Federal Reserve is in no rush to raise rates, with economic data and (government-reported) inflation remaining tepid.

As the third quarter comes to an end, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index is on track to turn in a dividend record. According to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices, the July-September period is set to boast the largest combined dividend payment ever by S&P 500 companies, at more than $10 a share.

Additionally, Q3 2014 will mark the first quarter in which total payouts to shareholders will surpass $90 billion. Furthermore, Silverblatt believes "the fourth quarter should beat it out."

Last week was quiet for dividend boosts, but the number of companies announcing special dividends ticked up.

Following are the 11 dividend hikes and five special dividends declared during the week ending Sept. 26.

Dividend-Paying Stocks That Just Announced Special or Increased Payouts

Accenture Plc. (NYSE: ACN) increased its semiannual dividend $0.09 to $1.02 a share for a 2.57% yield.

Atlantic Tele-Network Inc. (Nasdaq: ATNI) upped its quarterly payout $0.02 to $0.29 a share for a 2.11% yield. The 7% increase is the Beverly, Mass.-based company's 16th consecutive annual dividend enhancement.

Bank of South Carolina Corp. (NYSE: BKSC) announced a $0.10 per share special dividend payable on Oct. 31 to shareholders of record Oct. 8. "As we move out of the Great Recession, we are proud to have supported generations of Lowcountry families and businesses to a future of greater prosperity," Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fleetwood S. Hassell said. "Given the Bank's outstanding performance and strong capital position, we are excited to celebrate this dividend milestone with our shareholders."

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Delek US Holdings Inc. (NYSE: DK) declared a special $0.10 per share dividend payable on Oct. 30 to shareholders of record Oct. 9. This is the diversified downstream energy company's 11th consecutive quarter in which it has declared a special dividend since the beginning of 2012.

Enventis Corp. (Nasdaq: ENVE) announced a special $0.07 per share dividend payable on Oct. 15 to shareholders of record Oct. 2.

Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) hiked its quarterly dividend 16.7% to $0.07 a share for a 4.27% yield.

International Bancshares Corp. (Nasdaq: IBOC) increased is semiannual payout $0.02 to $0.27 a share for a 2.16% yield. "This cash dividend, which reflects an increase of 8% per share over IBC's most recent cash dividend, was made possible because of the continuing favorable performance of IBC during these challenging economic times," said CEO Dennis E. Nixon.

Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.17 to $1.50 a share for a 2.93% yield. The world's largest defense contractor also added $2 billion to its share repurchase program. Lockheed has been increasing its dividend annually for the last 11 years. Find out here why Money Morning Defense & Tech Specialist Michael A. Robinson calls LMT the space race's best stock to buy now.

OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE) juiced its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.25 a share for a 2.71% yield. "Our five-year growth plan of a 10% annual dividend increase from 2015 to 2019 provides a consistent, growing current return to our shareholders, many of whom count on dividends to supplement their income," said CEO Pete Delany. "We are proud of our record of consistency, with quarterly dividends for 67 straight years."

Prospect Capital Corp. (NYSE: PSCE) moved its monthly dividend up 0.01% to $0.1106 a share for a 13.26% yield.

Saratoga Investment Corp. (NYSE: SAR) sweetened its quarterly dividend $0.04 to $0.22 a share for a 5.44% yield.

SIFCO Industries Inc. (NYSEMKT: SIF) declared a special $0.20 per share dividend payable on Nov. 20 to shareholders of record Nov. 6.

Sun Hydraulics Corp. (Nasdaq: SNHY) announced a special $1.00 per share dividend payable on Oct. 24 to shareholders of record Oct. 10. "Given Sun's excellent performance so far this year, coupled with our strong balance sheet and ability to generate cash, the Board determined it is appropriate to return some cash to shareholders," said Philippe Lemaitre, Sun's chairman.

Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund (NYSE: VGI) goosed its monthly payout a penny to $0.13 a share for a 9.17% yield.

Washington Federal Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD) raised its quarterly dividend 33.4% to $0.14 a share for a 2.85% yield. The Oct. 27 dividend marks the Seattle, Wash.-based bank's 127th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp. (NYSE: WMC) upped its quarterly dividend $0.03 to $0.70 a share for a 19.5% yield.

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Now for Today's Top Story: With the taper almost behind us, the dialogue has shifted to rising interest rates. The almost-unanimous opinion is there will be a sell-off because the market and the economy are addicted to cheap credit. But the pundits are wrong. Here's what rising rates really do to your shares...

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