"FirstEnergy's new 55-cents-a-share quarterly gives the stock, which set a 52-week high Friday approaching 75, a 2.94% yield. The respective payment and record dates are March 1 and Feb. 7, and the ex-dividend date is Feb. 5."

"Exelon's boost is even more generous. With some 5.4 million customers and annual revenues above $15 billion, the Chicago-based holding company voted a 13.6% hike, to 50 cents a share from 44 cents. Disbursement is slated for March 10 to investors of record Feb. 15. The stock, which set a 52-week high of 86.83 Dec. 11 and yields 2.42%, goes ex-dividend Feb. 13."

"Pfizer hiked its quarterly by 10.3%, to 32 cents a share from 29 cents. Stockholders of record Feb. 8 will receive the new dividend March 4, and the ex-date is Feb. 6. Pfizer said the move is part of its "continued commitment to enhancing shareholder return." This is the 158-year-old New York City company's 41st consecutive annual dividend boost. Payouts have been ongoing since 1901. Trading a few notches under its 52-week high of 27.73, Pfizer, a Dow industrials component, yields 5.51%."

"Lilly announced a 10.6% dividend increase to 47 cents a share from 42.5 cents. Lilly has paid dividends every year since 1885, and, like Pfizer, this is its 41st annual hike in a row. The respective payment, record and ex-dates are March 10, Feb. 15 and Feb. 13. Lilly's shares are changing hands on the Big Board around 54, and yield 3.48%."

"The housing crisis is far from over, but Thornburg Mortgage on Tuesday reinstated its quarterly dividend, omitted in October, at 25 cents a share, versus 68 cents."