International Business Machines (ticker: IBM) hit a 52-week high of 101.70, chipping in about 24 points to the industrials' advance. What helped lift IBM was its announcement Tuesday of a 33% dividend hike and plans to buy back an additional $15 billion worth of its stock.

Texas-based ExxonMobil (XOM) increased its quarterly common payout 9.4%, to 35 cents a share from 32 cents.

California-based Chevron (CVX)boosted its payout 11.5%, to 58 cents a share from 52 cents, marking the 20th consecutive year it has hiked its quarterly. That gives the stock a 2.99% yield.

MRO is not only raising its dividend but splitting its stock, 2-for-1. On June 11, shareholders of record on May 23 will get a new quarterly payout of 48 cents a share (24 cents post-split), up 20% from 40 cents. The stock goes ex June 19. The payment date is June 18.

Boosted its dividend to a nickel a share from three cents and added $100 million to its stock-buyback program

Raised its payout 60%, to 12 cents a share from 7.5 cents.