The finance arm of General Electric Co. GE said it was on track to resume paying a dividend to its parent, forecasting double-digit earnings growth next year as lending margins improved and its real-estate portfolio rebounded. The conglomerate also said it was ahead of schedule in shrinking the asset base of GE Capital, which Chairman and Chief Executive Jeff Immelt admitted had grown too large ahead... 

Brown-Forman Corp. (BFA, BFB) increased its quarterly dividend 9.4%, marking the 28th consecutive year it has increased its annualized payout. Many companies have been looking for ways to attract shareholders recently, including higher dividends and stock repurchases. Brown-Forman, whose brands include Jack Daniel’s whisky and Finlandia vodka, is in the process of buying back up to $250 million... 

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Wynn Macau Ltd. said Friday it would pay a special dividend of HK$1.20 per share, marking the second time the Hong Kong-listed casino operator has declared such a payout. Those who hold shares through Dec. 7 will be eligible for the special dividend, which is expected to be paid on Dec. 19, the company said in a statement. Last November Wynn Macau declared a special... 

Ameren Corp.’s AEE +2.57% board authorized a quarterly dividend increase of 3.9%, joining a growing list of companies returning cash to their shareholders. The Midwest power company’s shares were up 2.1% at $30.55 in recent trading, more than the broader market advance. The quarterly dividend was increased by 1.5 cents a share to 40 cents, raising the company’s quarterly payout by... 

Eastman Chemical Co. EMN -0.01% disclosed plans for a two-for-one stock split as it increased its quarterly dividend by 11%. “The actions announced today reflect the solid performance of our businesses and the financial strength of our company,” Chief Executive Jim Rogers said. “Both the stock split and the cash dividend increase, the second in less than a year, demonstrate the board’s... 

PetSmart Inc.’s PETM -0.14% board raised the quarterly dividend of the country’s biggest pet supplier by 12% and authorized share repurchases worth about 9% of the company’s current market value Friday. The popularity of dividends has increased alongside share buybacks as companies seek ways to appeal to investors and tap cash piles they need not clutch as tightly in an improving... 

Look for analysts to start pushing dividend stocks.  Many analysts look for 2011 to be a big year for dividend stocks due to a belief that U.S. stocks will trade within a narrow range.  Credit Suisse predicts a ceiling of 1200 on the S&P 500 and a floor of 1000 – and just released their list of 20 favorite dividend stocks. Here’s my list of 10 favorite dividend stocks divided into two categories:... 

PHOENIX, AZ and HONG KONG, Aug 06, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — The Amergence Group (PINKSHEETS: AMNG), a company that focuses on the development, nurturing, and rapid expansion of selected emerging companies across a wide range of industries and disciplines, announced today its new vision called “Dividend Farming” — a methodology intended to more directly share the benefits...