14 Dividend Growth Stocks Rewarding Shareholders With A Raise

J B Hunt Transport Services Inc (NASDAQ:JBHT), together with its subsidiaries, provides surface transportation and delivery services in the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. It operates through four segments: Intermodal (JBI), Dedicated Contract Services (DCS), Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), and Truck (JBT). This dividend contender raised its quarterly dividends by 4.50% to 23 cents/share. This marked the 14th consecutive annual dividend increase for J B Hunt Transport Services Inc (NASDAQ:JBHT). Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase its dividends at a rate of 13.30%/year. Earnings per share have increased from $1.55/share in 2007 to an estimated $4.17/share for 2017. Currently, the stock is overvalued at 23.70 times forward earnings and yields 0.90%. I would be hesitant to buy into a cyclical transportation stock at more than 20 times earnings. I am impressed by the growth in earnings per share, and would add the stock on my list for further research.

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT), through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii. This newly minted dividend king raised its quarterly dividends by 4.30% to 18 cents/share. This marked the 50th consecutive annual dividend increase for California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT). Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase its dividends at a rate of 1.60%/year. Earnings per share have increased from 67 cents/share in 2006 to an estimated 95 cents/share for 2017. Currently, the stock is overvalued at 36.60 times forward earnings and yields 2.10%. Given the slow rate of earning growth ( didn’t even double over the past decade), the low yield, and the excessive P/E ratio, I would not touch the stock even with a ten foot poll.

Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) produces, sells, and distributes atmospheric, process, and specialty gases, as well as surface coatings in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. This dividend contender raised its quarterly dividends by 5% to 78.75 cents/share. This marked the 24th consecutive annual dividend increase for Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX). Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase its dividends at a rate of 14.80%/year. Earnings per share have increased from $3.62/share in 2007 to an estimated $5.85/share for 2017. Currently, the stock is overvalued at 20.50 times forward earnings and yields 2.60%. I would be interested in the company on dips below $117/share.

S&P Global Inc (NYSE:SPGI) provides independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide. The company operates through S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Market Intelligence, S&P Dow Jones Indices, and S&P Global Platts divisions. This dividend champion raised its quarterly dividends by 13.90% to 41 cents/share. This marked the 44th consecutive annual dividend increase for this quality dividend paying company. Over the past decade, S&P Global Inc (NYSE:SPGI) has managed to increase its dividends at a rate of 7.20%/year. Earnings per share have increased from $2.40/share in 2006 to an estimated $5.27/share for 2016. Currently, the shares of this quality company are overvalued at 22.80 times forward earnings and yields 1.40%. I would be interested in the stock on dips below $106/share.

Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE:D) produces and transports energy in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Dominion Virginia Power (DVP), Dominion Generation, and Dominion Energy. This dividend contender raised its quarterly dividends by 7.90% to 75.50 cents/share. This marked the 14th consecutive annual dividend increase for Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE:D). Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase its dividends at a rate of 6.80%/year. Earnings per share have increased from $2.21/share in 2006 to an estimated $3.81/share for 2016. Currently, the stock is fully valued at 19.80 times forward earnings and yields 4%. I need to refresh my last analysis.