Back in the black this fiscal year, diversified industrial manufacturer Tyco International hiked its common dividend 33% Tuesday. The boost follows a 36% increase a year ago. Based in Bermuda but operated from New Jersey, Tyco (TYC), two of whose former top executives are in prison for looting hundreds of millions in company funds to finance lavish lifestyles, will now pay a quarterly dividend of 20 cents a share, versus 15 cents. Disbursement is slated Nov. 3 to investors on the books Oct. 1. The stock goes ex-dividend Sept. 29. Yield: 1.94%. Said CEO Ed Breen: "The increase in our quarterly dividend reflects our solid performance and progress this year, and our continued strong cash flow." The $19 billion company has paid dividends continually since 1975.

Kraft Foods (KFT), whose top stockholder is Warren Buffett, served up a bit of appetizing news Wednesday. The nation's No. 1 food and beverage company (KFT)-it's the second-biggest in the world after Nestlé-sweetened its quarterly common payout to 29 cents a share from 25 cents, giving it a 3.50% yield. Shareholders of record Sept. 24 will get the new dividend Oct. 8. The ex-date is Sept. 22. Distributions have been made since 2001 and have been enhanced every year since then.