Tuesday’s Dividend Changes: 9 Companies Raise Payouts (IBM, COST, BBT, More)

U.S. equities advanced on Tuesday, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average within striking distance of a record high. Also during today’s session, nine companies raised their dividend payouts.

JMP Group Raises Dividend 11.1%

JMP Group (JMP) raised its quarterly dividend from $0.045 to $0.05, or $0.20 annualized. The new dividend will be paid on 5/30/2014 to shareholders on record as of 5/16/2014. The stock will go ex-dividend on 5/14/2014.

UGI Corp. Lifts Dividend 4.4%

UGI Corp. (UGI) raised its quarterly dividend from $0.2825 to $0.295, or $1.18 annualized. The new dividend will be paid on 7/1/2014 to shareholders on record as of 6/16/2014. The stock will go ex-dividend on 6/12/2014.

Costco Boosts Dividend 14.5%

Costco (