Eaton boosted its quarterly common payout 16%, to 50 cents a share, from 43 cents. That translates into a current yield of 2.37%. Dividends have been paid without interruption since 1923 and have been raised for six consecutive years. Investors of record Feb. 4 will receive the new quarterly Feb. 22. The stock goes ex-dividend Jan. 31.

On Wednesday, Praxair hiked its quarterly common dividend to 37.5 cents a share, up 25% from 30 cents. Yield: 1.88%. Payouts were initiated in 1992, and have grown every year. The new dividend will be distributed March 17 to holders of record March 7, and the ex-date is March 5.

Electro Rent is one of the largest worldwide organizations devoted to the short-term rental, leasing and sales of general-purpose electronic test equipment, personal computers and servers. It initiated quarterly dividends last April at the rate of 10 cents a share, and on Wednesday enhanced them by 50%, to 15 cents, for a 2.88% yield. The respective payment, record and ex-dates are April 10, March 20 and March 18