Dividend Investing News: Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) plus 20 More New Dividend Hikes By Diane Alter

Dividend investing news, Sept. 15, 2014: Last week global vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.05, or 20%, to $0.30 per share.

"Dividends continue to be an important component of total shareholder return," said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard D. Fain. "This dividend increase was made possible by the efforts of the overall organization to continue to improve our financial position. It demonstrates our commitment to increasing shareholder value and our confidence in our ability to continue to grow returns in the future."

The Miami, Fla.-based company has been paying dividends without interruption, and steadily boosting them, since its first distribution of $0.07 per share paid on March 29, 1996.

Earlier this month, investment firm Jefferies raised its price target on RCL to $73 from $58 and reiterated its "Buy" rating. At $67.21, shares are up 41.73% year to date.

Royal Caribbean is just one company that raised its payout last week. Following are the 20 other dividend stocks that sweetened the pot during the week ending Sept. 12.

Aberdeen Israel Fund Inc. (NYSE: ISL) upped its annual payout 11.5% to $0.26 a share for a 1.33% yield.

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund Inc. (NYSE: LAQ) boosted its semiannual payout 9.8% to $0.056 a share for a 1.46% yield.

Allianz Global Equity and Convertible Income Fund (NYSE: NIE) raised its quarterly dividend a dime, or 35.7%, to $0.38 a share for a 7.57% yield.

American Tower Corp. (NYSE: AMT) hiked its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.36 a share for a 1.5% yield.

Associated Estates Realty Corp. (NYSE: AEC) raised its quarterly payout a penny to $0.20 a share for a 4.5% yield.

Itau Unibanco Holding SA (NYSE ADR: ITUB) increased its monthly payment 1.3% to $0.006 a share for a 3.14% yield.

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Brady Corp. (NYSE: BRC) boosted its quarterly payout 2.6% to $0.20 a share for a 3.27% yield. The Oct. 31 dividend represents the company's 29th consecutive annual dividend enrichment.

Deutsche High Income Opportunities Fund Inc. (NYSE: DHG) raised its monthly dividend 2.3% to $0.089 a share for a 7.23% yield.

Diversified Real Asset Income Fund (NYSE: DRA) hiked its monthly payout 12.8% to $0.108 a share for a 7.37% yield.

First Trust Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund (NYSE: FEO) upped its quarterly dividend 36.7% to $0.35 a share for a 7.42% yield.

Flexsteel Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: FLXS) fattened its quarterly dividend $0.03, or 20%, to $0.18 a share for a yield just shy of 2%. The boost is the fourth since March 2009, when the dividend was a nickel a share. FLXS has paid cash dividends on its common stock annually since 1938. The Oct. 3 dividend will be the Iowa-based company's 291st consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Global High Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: GHI) goosed its monthly payout 0.2% to $0.05 a share for 7.75% yield.

International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP) increased its quarterly dividend a nickel, or 14%, to $0.40 a share for 3.22% yield. "This dividend increase, our third consecutive double-digit increase in as many years, demonstrates the value we place on returning a significant portion of our cash to shareholders," said CEO John Faraci.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.02, or 40%, to $0.07 a share for a yield approaching 1%.

New Jersey Resources Corp. (NYSE: NJR) raised its quarterly dividend $0.03, or 7%, to $0.45 a share for a 3.48% yield. "As a result of our consistent financial performance, we have been able to increase our dividend for the 21st time in the last 19 years. This is our way of recognizing our shareowners for the confidence they place in us year after year," said CEO Laurence M. Downes.

Phillip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) hiked its quarterly payout $0.06, or 6.4%, to $1.00 a share for a 4.77% yield. This brings the international tobacco giant's annual dividend rate to $4.00 per share. Find out which tobacco company Money Morning Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald says is the best high-yield stock to buy here.

Realty Income Corp. (NYSE: O) raised its monthly dividend 0.1% to $0.183 a share for a 5% yield. The increase is the company's 77th dividend increase since its public debut in 1994. The new monthly dividend amount represents an annualized dividend of approximately $2.197.

Strategic Global Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: SGL) sweetened its monthly payout 0.7% to $0.044 a share for a 6.57% yield.

Tri-Continental Corp. (NYSE: TY) hiked its quarterly dividend 4.1% to $0.19 a share for a 3.66% yield.

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) fattened its quarterly dividend $0.04, or 10.8%, to $0.41 a share for a 2.3% yield. The enrichment marks the restaurant chain operator's 10th straight year of double-digit dividend boosts. Over the last five years, YUM has returned approximately $6 billion to shareholders via share repurchases and dividends.

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