The nation's retailers continued to suffer from weak sales in May. But that didn't keep Target , the No. 2 U.S. discount retailer after Wal-Mart , from sweetening its dividend Thursday, albeit by only a penny. Still, the boost is worth some $7.5 million to investors. The 6.3% hike by Target (TGT) takes its quarterly common payout to 17 cents a share. The new dividend is slated for disbursement on Sept. 10 to holders of record Aug. 20. The stock goes ex-dividend Aug. 18. The company, which has been making payouts since its 1967 public debut, has more than three decades of dividend growth under its belt. In addition, Target is working down a $10 billion share-buyback program.

For the 32nd year in a row, venerable household-cleaning-products maker Clorox (CLX) is adding sparkle to its payout. The Oakland, Calif., company, which turns 100 in 2013, Thursday boosted its quarterly common payout 8.7%, to 50 cents a share from 46 cents. Investors of record July 27 will receive the new dividend Aug. 14. The ex date is July 23. Payouts have been made without interruption since 1968. This latest boost gives the shares a 3.55% yield. In a May 4 Barron's feature, Staff Writer Dimitri DeFotis discussed how Clorox's roster of iconic brands, plus new additions such as Burt's Bees and Green Works, should keep the shine on the company's stock. From a 52-week low of 45.67 March 9, Clorox shares were recently quoted above 56. Their 52-week high is 65.

Standard & Poor's thinks Dynamic Materials (BOOM) is one to watch. "With signs of economic improvement and pricing strength in commodity markets, particularly energy, we expect Dynamic Materials' order rates to begin to improve." Monday, the Boulder, Colo., company moved from an annual dividend of 15 cents a share to a quarterly one of four cents, for an annualized increase of a penny. This is the first payout boost since February 2006. Dividends were initiated in 2005. The respective payment, record and ex-dividend dates are July 15, June 30 and June 26. Dynamic Materials is the world's leading provider of explosion-welded clad metal plates for the oil and gas, alternative energy and shipbuilding industries, among others. Traded on Nasdaq, its shares have been changing hands a bit above 21. Their 52-week range is 38.21 to 4.95. Yield: 0.76%. First-quarter net slipped to 38 cents a share on revenue of $49.8 million (analysts had estimated 24 cents on volume of $47.3 million) from 41 cents on $58.4 million of revenue a year ago. While the company's order flow has been hurt by such things as financing limitations and budget cuts, it is optimistic because many orders relate to important international infrastructure projects. S&P sees "significant growth ahead for this well-managed company." It recently raised its investment opinion on Dynamic Materials to Buy from Sell, with a 12-month price target of 25.