From Barron's 7-2-07: "Kaiser Aluminum re-emerged last July from four years under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. And on Wednesday, it flexed its financial muscles by reinstating its dividend. California-based Kaiser (ticker: KALU) will pay an initial quarterly of 18 cents a share Aug. 17 to investors on its books July 27. The stock goes ex-dividend July 25. Declared CEO Jack A. Hockema, "With confidence in our financial strength, Kaiser's board is comfortable introducing a dividend while continuing to pursue significant investments in initiatives for the long-term growth of the company. Kaiser could figure in the proposed purchase of Canada's Alcan (AL) by Alcoa (AA), if Alcoa has to shed some assets to win regulatory approval. "We have a lot of dry powder," Hockema said. "We see ourselves as well-positioned to be a buyer of assets that are attractive for our portfolio."

From Barron's 7-2-07: "For the 6th time in 3 years, General Mills (GIS) is again sweetening its quarterly common dividend, to 39 cents a share from 37 cents. Investors of record July 10 will receive the new payout Aug. 1. Ex-date: July 6. Yield: 2.66%. Including predecessors, the Minneapolis company has paid dividends without interruption or reduction since 1898. The Big Board-listed shares set a 52-week high of 61.52 on June 4, and trade just a few notches below that level currently...The company expects fiscal '08 profits to advance 7% to 8%, or to $3.39 to $3.43 a share."

From Barron's 7-2-07: "Archrival (of GIS) Kellogg (K), trading near 52, pays a 31-cent quarterly and yields 2.40%.

From Barron's 7-2-07: "The biggest U.S. consumer-electronics outfit, Best Buy, Wednesday announced a $5.5 billion stock buyback, representing one-fourth of its market value. With $2.8 billion in cash, it also boosted its quarterly common dividend 30%, to 13 cents a share from a dime. The respective payment and record dates are Oct. 30 and Oct. 9; the ex-dividend date is Oct. 4. The Minnesota company paid its first dividend in 2003 and has enhanced it annually...The shares (BBY) change hands in the mid-40s on the Big Board and now yield 1.11%. "