FedEx and Three More Companies That Raised Their Dividends This Week

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FedEx,

MGM Growth Properties,

and

H&R Block

were among the U.S. companies that declared dividend increases this week.

FedEx, the global shipper based in Memphis, plans to boost its quarterly payout to 75 cents a share, up 10 cents, or 15%, from 65 cents. As of Thursday’s close, the stock had returned about 11% this year, dividends included. It yields 1%.

H&R Block (HRB) said it will raise its quarterly dividend by a penny to 27 cents a share. That’s a 4% increase.

Based in Kansas City, Mo., the company is known for its tax-preparation services. The stock, which yields 4.6%, has returned about 50% this year.

MGM Growth Properties, a real estate investment trust that owns a portfolio of resorts/casinos in Las Vegas and elsewhere, declared a quarterly disbursement of 51.5 cents a share. That is an increase of 2 cents, or 4%.

The stock, which yields 5.6%, has returned about 19% in 2021.

Property and casualty insurer W.R. Berkley (WRB) said it will raise its dividend to annual rate of 52 cents a share, up 8%. On a quarterly basis, that will be 13 cents a share, versus 12 cents previously.

The stock, which has returned about 13% this year, yields 0.7%.

In other news,

T. Rowe Price

(TROW) declared a special dividend of $3 a share. The special is payable on July 7 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 25.

The company is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, whose members have paid out a higher dividend for at least 25 straight years.

The Baltimore-based money manager is on track to have paid out a higher regular annual dividend for 35 consecutive years.

The stock, which yields 2.3%, has returned nearly 30% this year.

Write to Lawrence C. Strauss at [email protected]