The following companies announced a change in their dividend payouts today.

Companies Increasing Dividend Payouts
Apartment Investment & Management (AIV) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.72 to $.80. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $27.08, is 2.95%. AIV is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

American States Water (AWR) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.12 to $1.48. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $40.33, is 3.52%. AWR is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. (EEP) has raised its annual dividend payout from $2.13 to $2.17. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $29.83, is 7.27%. EEP is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

J2 Global Communications (JCOM) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.86 to $.88. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $29.89, is 2.94%. JCOM is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

LittleFuse Inc. (LFUS) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.72 to $.80. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $54.04, is 1.48%. LFUS is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

MKS Instruments (MKSI) has raised its annual dividend payout from $0.60 to $0.64. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $25.81, is 2.48%. MKSI is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Murphy Oil (MUR) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.10 to $1.25. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $54.40, is 2.30%. MUR is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

Norfolk Southern (NSC) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.88 to $2.00 The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $73.31, is 2.73%. NSC is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Safety Insurance Group (SAFT) has raised its annual dividend payout from $2.00 to $2.40 The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $42.05, is 5.71%. SAFT is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.48 to $.60. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $11.51, is 5.21%. SBGI is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.