Roper Industries (ROP) has been enriching its dividends every year since initiating them in 1992. Tuesday, it added a penny to its common payout, bringing it to 8.25 cents a share. The distribution, record and ex dates are Jan. 30, Jan. 9 and Jan. 7. The stock trades on the Big Board at a little under 37, down from a 52-week high of 70.48, giving it a yield of 0.90%. Roper, based in Sarasota, Fla., makes products for the global water, energy and radio-frequency markets and for use in research and medical applications. The company, which has $2.3 billion in annual revenue, generated record cash flow in the third quarter, as its margins continued to expand. As of Sept. 30, Roper had $156 million in cash. It expects to earn $3.13 to $3.16 a share in 2008. That's down from a previous estimate of $3.16 to $3.22, but up from 2007's $2.68.

13.8%

PE of 14, a PEG of 0.86, and it pays a yield of 0.7%.

Mad About Options: Roper Frayed:
The Mad About Options crew reviews Jim Cramer's recent bearish comments about Roper Industries. and offers options strategies for traders and investors. Also hear options ideas for Dillard's and Genworth Financial.

Click here to watch the video.

From a recent Mad Money show: "This has neither a good dividend nor a good short-term picture. I prefer Eaton (ETN)."

PE of 19 and pays a yield of 0.50% .

Roper Industries (ROP) was upgraded from Market Perform to Outperform, Friedman, Billings Ramsey said. $67 price target. US economy will slow, but the company's end-markets are less cyclical.

11.5%

Roper Industries (ROP) was downgraded from Outperform to Market Perform, Friedman, Billings Ramsey said. $66 price target. Valuation call, although the strong fundamental thesis remains intact.

Growth