Virginia-based AvalonBay raised its payout 4.25 cents, to 89.25 cents a share. Disbursement will be made April 15 to holders of record April 1. The stock goes ex-dividend March 28. Payouts have been made every year since AvalonBay's 1994 public debut and in each of the last four years were boosted.

National Health Investors hiked its quarterly a nickel, to 55 cents a share, payable May 9 to investors on its books March 31. The ex-date is March 27.

Wrigley (WWY) sweetened its quarterly dividend 15.5% on its regular and Class B common, to 33.5 cents a share from 29 cents. Yield: 2.44%.Dividends have been paid without interruption since 1913 and enhanced every year since 1980.