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

Companies Increasing Dividend Payouts
Brown-Forman (BF-B) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.93 to $1.02. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $64.74, is 1.58%. BF-B is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Bank of South Carolina Corp (BKSC) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.44 to $.48. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $11.75, is 4.09%. BKSC is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars.

Laclede Group (LG) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.66 to $1.70. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $38.23, is 4.45%. LG is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Matthews International Corp (MATW) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.36 to $.40. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $28.37, is 1.41%. MATW is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars.

MDU Resources Group (MDU) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.67 to $.69. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $19.76, is 3.49%. MDU is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Nike Inc. (NKE) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.44 to $1.68. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $90.83, is 1.85%. NKE is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

National Bankshares (NKSH) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.06 to $1.14. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $29.2, is 3.90%. NKSH is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.48 to $.52. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $70.44, is .74%. NOV is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Neenah Paper (NP) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.48 to $.60. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $23.67, is 2.52%. NP is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Royal Gold Inc. (RGLD) has raised its annual dividend payout from $0.60 to $0.80. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $80.34, is 1.00%. RGLD is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Union Pacific (UNP) has raised its annual dividend payout from $2.40 to $2.76. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $117.99, is 2.34%. UNP is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Waddell & Reed (WDR) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.00 to $1.12. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $32.88, is 3.41%. WDR is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Williams Co. (WMB) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.25 to $1.30. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $30.97, is 4.20%. WMB is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 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.