"J.M. Smucker has risen 34% this year, more than the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 16, a discount to the market and packaged-food peers. The shares offer a 2.4% dividend yield."

A good preformer

an increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.32 to $0.35 per common share payable June 1 to shareholders of record on May 15.

J.M. Smucker is another U.S. market leader, turning out fruit spreads, peanut butter, cooking oils, ice-cream toppings and packaged coffee. And the 112-year-old company gave its shareholders a nice treat Tuesday. Smucker sweetened its quarterly common dividend 9.4%, to 35 cents a share from 32 cents. Stockholders of record May 15 will receive the new payout June 1. The ex-date is May 13. Smucker (SJM) has paid dividends uninterruptedly since 1949. This is its 12th annual enrichment. Traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Smucker shares currently change hands around 38, giving them a 3.66% yield. Their 52-week range is 56.69 to 34.09. Besides the flagship Smucker's brand, a few of the company's other well-known labels are Jif, Crisco, Folgers, Hungry Jack and Eagle Brand. Procter & Gamble's Folgers coffee business was merged into Smucker last November via an all-stock transaction valued at $3.3 billion (shareholders got a $5 special dividend in the process). The new operation helped push up net 84% in Smucker's third fiscal quarter (ended Jan. 31). Smucker expects to earn $3.15 to $3.30 a share this fiscal year on sales of $3.6 billion to $3.7 billion. It made $3 a share in fiscal 2008 on sales of $2.5 billion.

"It's too defensive for me. It does well in a slowdown, but starting this week the economy is getting stronger." ("Mad Money Lightning Round," 4-9-09)

Local co. Good dividends

recommendation

GAMBLING ON CAPITAL APPRECIATION . . . . .

GAMBLING ON CAPITAL APPRECIATION . . . . .

GAMBLING ON CAPITAL APPRECIATION . . . . .