When Principal Financial Group (PFG) appeared in this space in October 2008, it had cut its annual dividend in half as the equity markets imploded. But last Monday, the company, a top administrator of employer-sponsored retirement plans, enriched its payout 11%, to 50 cents a share from 45 cents. Disbursement is scheduled for Dec. 4 to investors of record Nov. 13. The stock goes ex-dividend Nov. 10. The new payout, however, is still below the record 90 cents a share Principal paid in 2007. Dividends were initiated in October 2002 at the annual rate of 25 cents a share and sweetened every year prior to the aforementioned cut. Principal , by the way, chose not to participate in Uncle Sam's Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, under which it had been approved to receive $2 billion. Rather, in May, it raised $1.9 billion via a stock sale and an offering of long-term debt.

For the fifth year in a row and for the second time in 2009, Digital Realty Trust (DLR) is boosting its quarterly common dividend. Last Tuesday, the San Francisco company, which owns, acquires, develops, redevelops and manages technology-related real estate, followed its 9% payout hike in July with a 25% enhancement to 45 cents a share. Digital Realty has paid dividends every year since 2004. The new quarterly will be distributed on January 15 to stockholders of record Dec. 15. The ex date is Dec. 11.