IBM hiked its quarterly common payout 25%, to 50 cents a share from 40 cents. Disbursement will take place June 10 to investors on Big Blue's books May 9. The stock goes ex-dividend May 7. It's trading just a few notches below its 52-week high of 125, set April 18, for a 1.63% yield.

ExxonMobil -- the world's largest publicly traded company by stock-market value -- sweetened its common payout 14.3%, to 40 cents a share from 35 cents, for a 1.78% yield. Holders of record May 13 will receive the new quarterly June 10, and the ex-date is May 9. Exxon has paid dividends without interruption since 1882, and now has enriched them for 26 years in a row. The stock trades close to its 52-week high of 95.27, set Oct. 17. In 2007, the oil giant earned more than $40 billion, the largest-ever profit posted by a U.S. company, and repurchased some $32 billion worth of its stock. The founding Rockefeller family called on Exxon last week to expand its investment in alternative-energy sources.

California-based Chevron boosted its quarterly to 65 cents a share, up 12.1% from 58 cents, for its 21st consecutive annual increase. Yield: 2.73%. The respective payment, record and ex-dividend dates are June 10, May 19 and May 15. Chevron has paid dividends since 1912. The stock set a 52-week high Wednesday of 97.28. The company intends to repurchase about $15 billion worth of its shares through 2010.

W.W. Grainger (GWW) enhanced its common dividend for the 37th straight year. It is one of only 20 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 that can boast such a record. The largest global distributor of products for facilities maintenance, Grainger raised its quarterly 14.3%, to 40 cents a share from 35 cents, payable June 1 to stockholders of record May 12. Ex-date: May 8. Dividends have been ongoing since 1965. The stock was recently quoted near 88, roughly 10 points under its 52-week high, and yields 1.83%. With 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, 89-year-old Grainger also authorized the repurchase of 10 million more of its shares. Since 1984, the Chicago company has bought back more than 59 million shares.

Making its second appearance in this space in 2008 is Genco Shipping & Trading (GNK). After hiking its quarterly in February to 85 cents a share from 66 cents, Genco has boosted its rate to $1, for a combined increase of 51.5% so far this year. At a recent Big Board price of 73.28, the stock yields 5.46%. Holders of record May 16 will receive the new dividend May 30. The ex-date is May 14. A $50 million stock-buyback program is in place.