"New York City-based Bristol-Myers sweetened its quarterly common payout 10.7%, to 31 cents a share from 28 cents. That gives the stock a current yield of 4.84%. Disbursement will take place Feb. 1 for holders of record Jan. 4. The ex-dividend date is Jan. 2. Payouts have been ongoing since 1900."

"Come December 18, directors of Dow Jones utilities component FirstEnergy (FE) are expected to approve a 10% dividend hike, to 55 cents a share from 50 cents. At the stock's current price of 73.30 (almost its 52-week high), it would yield 3%. The new payout, which would be distributed in March, would mark the fifth increase since 2005, for a 47% surge over that time. Dividends have been paid without interruption since 1930."

"First Industrial Realty Trust (FR) enhanced its quarterly common dividend by a penny on Tuesday, to 72 cents a share. With a hefty 7.22% yield, the Chicago-based REIT, which serves some 30 states plus Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium, is a standout among its peers. The respective payment and record dates are Jan. 22 and Dec. 31. Ex-date: Dec. 27."

"Mortgage-giant Fannie Mae (FNM) on Tuesday slashed its quarterly common dividend 30%, to 35 cents a share from 50 cents, and said it will sell $7 billion worth of preferred stock to bolster its capital."