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

Companies Increasing Dividend Payouts
Associated Estates Realty Corp. (AEC) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.72 to $.76. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $15.28, is 4.97%. AEC is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

Sotheby’s (BID) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.32 to $.40. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $31.01, is 1.29%. BID is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.32 to $1.40. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $60.64, is 2.31%. CHRW is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Douglas Emmett (DEI) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.60 to $.72. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $23.14, is 3.11%. DEI is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Ecolab, Inc. (ECL) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.80 to $.92. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $72.39, is 1.27%. ECL is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Eastman Chemical (EMN) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.04 to $1.20. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $60.85, is 1.97%. EMN is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Enbridge (ENB) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.13 to $1.26. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $40.35, is 3.12%. ENB is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Hillenbrand Inc. (HI) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.77 to $.78. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $21.29, is 3.66%. HI is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Linear Technology (LLTC) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.00 to $1.04. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $33.51, is 3.10%. LLTC is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

Simmons Financial (SFNC) has raised its annual dividend payout from $.76 to $.80. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $23.94, is 3.34%. SFNC is not a “Recommended” stock at this time, holding a Dividend.com Rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars.

Wisconsin Energy (WEC) has raised its annual dividend payout from $1.20 to $1.36. The new dividend yield, based on today’s closing stock price of $37.64, is 3.61%. WEC 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.