From Barron's 8-25-07: "THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE MESS is not having much impact on Wachovia despite its acquisition last year of a major mortgage lender. That's because less than 0.5% of the big banking company's real-estate portfolio is in subprime loans. So in an overall dreary dividend week, Wachovia (ticker: WB) was a standout, boosting its quarterly common dividend 14%, to 64 cents a share from 56 cents, for a 5.21% yield. Disbursement is slated for Sept. 17 to holders of record Aug. 31. The stock goes ex-dividend Aug. 29."

From Barron's 8-25-07: "HERE WERE ALSO SOME SPECIAL dividends last week. Big Board-listed Primedia (PRM) will pay its first dividend-a one-time distribution of $2.15 a share. That's worth around $96 million to its investors. The dividend will be funded from the proceeds of Primedia's Aug. 1 sale of its Enthusiast Media business for $1.18 billion in cash. The New York company, which publishes consumer guides, including Apartment Guide, Auto Guide and New Home Guide, also plans to institute a regular dividend program. Holders of record Sept. 4 will receive the special payout Sept. 7; the ex-date is Aug. 30."

From Barron's 8-25-07: "In Milwaukee, Strattec Security (STRT) initiated quarterly common dividends with a 15-cent-a-share declaration. Directors also voted a $1 special. Both are payable Oct. 1 to holders of record Sept. 14. Ex-date: Sept. 12. The combined distribution of around $4.1 million will be funded by current cash balances. Strattec makes locks for all kinds of vehicles. Its shares are priced a couple of notches under their 52-week Nasdaq high of 51.40."