Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO), Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) & Five Stocks That Have Doubled Their Dividends

Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE:RS) : up 100%
The steel industry has been struggling lately, so it’s especially remarkable to see Reliance Steel having made not one but two dividend increases in the past year. With increases from $0.15 per share last May to $0.25 in August and then to $0.30 in March, Reliance is bucking the negative trends in steel. What’s especially noteworthy is that the company raised its payout even after announcing more than a $750 million deal to buy Metals USA Holdings Corp (NYSE:MUSA) in February — a move that might have led other companies to rein in its payouts.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE:HOT) : up 150%
Unlike most companies, Starwood makes dividend payments only once a year, but its end-of-2012 payout of $1.25 per share was far above the $0.50 it paid in 2011. Even with its international exposure leaving it facing headwinds in troubled areas such as Europe, recovering prospects in its key U.S. market and expansion into growth markets around the world have led to strong performance for Starwood, and sharing the wealth with shareholders shows that Starwood expects the good times to continue.

More doubles to come?
As long as the economy remains healthy for corporations, you can expect more stocks to keep raising their dividends. But companies that double their dividends will remain rare, so be sure to keep an eye on these stocks to see how their aggressive dividend increases reward their shareholders both now and well into the future.

The article 5 Stocks That Have Doubled Their Dividends originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter: @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Cisco Systems and Southwest Airlines.

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