"In March, Altria (ticker: MO) spun off its Kraft Foods (Ticker: KFT) division in the first phase of a corporate restructuring that it had been contemplating for several years. The new payout, which gives Altria's stock a 4.32% yield, will be 75 cents a share, up from 69 cents. Disbursement will take place Oct. 10 for investors on the books Sept. 14. The ex-dividend date is Sept. 12. The payouts from Altria and its predecessor have been uninterrupted since 1928, and climbing steadily for 40 years."

"Kraft also enhanced its dividend last week, to 27 cents a share from 25 cents. Yield: 3.35%."

" Deere (DE), the world's No. 1 producer of farm equipment. The Moline, Ill., company Wednesday sweetened its quarterly common payout 14%, to 50 cents a share from 44 cents. What's more, Deere proposed a 2-for-1 stock split, subject to a green light from investors at a special meeting set for Nov. 14."

"Harris Corp. (HRS) Monday enriched its common dividend for the fifth year in a row, to 15 cents a share from 11 cents. The respective payment and record dates are Sept. 17 and Sept. 6; the ex-date is Sept. 4."