From Barron's 6-4-07: "German Power and Chemicals giant E.ON generated hefty gains in its stock price last week when it took the wraps off a package of strategic initiatives that will return billions of dollars to shareholders. E.ON, which is on track to transform itself from a conglomerate into the world's leading electricity-and-gas utility, has divested assets worth more than $80 billion over the past several years. Investors had been critical of the company's use of its cash, however, and had moved on to other, albeit smaller, European utilities. In an effort to win them back, E.ON, with annual sales of some $91 billion, will spend up to $9.4 billion buying as much as 10% of its stock by the end of 2008. E.ON's American depositary receipts, which trade on the Big Board under the ticker EON, set a 52-week high Wednesday of 55.95."

From Barron's 6-4-07: "Another dividend increase is on the menu for investors in global food giant H.J. Heinz. The 138-year-old Pittsburgh company boosted its quarterly common payout 8.6% Thursday, to 38 cents a share from 35 cents. This is the fourth consecutive annual hike since Heinz (HNZ)slashed dividends 33% in early 2003 to help lighten its debt load. Disbursement will take place July 10 for holders of record June 25. The stock goes ex-dividend June 21. Heinz has paid uninterrupted dividends since going public in 1946. "This increase reflects the accelerating momentum of our businesses around the world and our commitment to return approximately 60% of earnings to shareholders in the form of dividends," said chief executive William R. Johnson. He noted that the new payout gives the stock a 3.2% yield, which puts its return in the top 12% of the S&P 500. The shares, which trade on the Big Board, are near their 52-week high of 48.73, set on April 19."