Intel's dividend declaration and strong earnings by McDonald's gave positive momentum to the market today. Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.57 percent or 67.36 points to 11,939.20. NASDAQ Composite index was up 0.67 percent or 18.10 points to 2,707.64, and the Standard and Poor's 500 index gained 0.38 percent or 4.86 points to 1,288.21.
Besides Intel, few other companies have also declared their annual and quarterly dividend plans boosting up investors' confidence.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) gained 1.06 percent or $0.22 to $21.04 in the morning as the company rose its quarterly dividend by 15 percent to 18.12 cents per share.
Twin Disc Incorporated (NASDAQ: TWIN) has raised its quarterly dividend by 14 percent to $0.08 per share. Shares of the company rose 1.41 percent or $0.40 to $28.81 after the news.
PriceSmart Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) has declared a cash dividend of $0.60 per share, $0.30 per share payable on February 28, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2011, and $0.30 per share payable on August 31, 2011 to shareholders of record on August 15, 2011.
General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is expected to raise its annual dividend to 80 cents per share. Shares of the company were up 1.04 percent or $0.21 to $19.95 in the initial hours.
Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO) lost 0.87 percent or $0.38 to $43.42 today. The company plans to raise its quarterly dividend by 16.1 percent to 18 cents per share, payable on April 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2011.
Merchants Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT) has decided to pay a dividend of 28 cents per share on February 17, 2011, to shareholders of record on February 3, 2011.
Sierra Bancorp (NASDAQ: BSRR) plans to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share on February 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 1, 2011.
Shares of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) added 2.78 percent or $3,355 to $123,881 amid reports that the company may soon start paying a dividend.
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