Dividends of (UGI) (PH) (CFR) (JNJ) (COH) Boosted

Arch Coal Inc. (ACI), Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST), American States Water Company (AWR), Williams Partners L.P. (WMB) and Artesian Resources Corporation (ARTNA) all have boosted their dividends recently.

Arch Coal Inc. (ACI) raised its quarterly dividend on April 28th 10 percent or $0.11 a share. The dividend is payable June 15, 2011, to shareholders of record on June 1, 2011. The new payout has a yield of 1.2 percent.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) raised its quarterly dividend on April 26th 1.7 percent to $0.24 a share. The dividend is payable May 27, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2011. The new payout has a yield of 1.1 percent.

American States Water Company (AWR) raised its dividend on April 27 7.7 percent to 0.28 a share. The new payout has a yield of 3.2 percent.

Williams Partners L.P. (WMB) raised its quarterly dividend on April 26th 60 percent to $0.20 a share. The dividend is payable June 27, 2011, to holders of record at the close of business on June 10. The new payout has a yield of 2.4 percent.

Artesian Resources Corporation (ARTNA) raised its quarterly dividend on April 27th 0.5 percent to $0.1902 a share. The dividend is payable on May 20, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 2011. The new payout has a yield of 3.9 percent.

Shares of (AA) (EBR) (CB) (MUR) (WPZ) Jump to 52-Week Highs

Shares of Alcoa, Inc. (NYSE:AA), Centrais Electricas Brasileiras S.A. (NYSE:EBR), The Chubb Corporation (NYSE:CB), Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) and Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) were among a number of companies soaring to 52-week highs on Friday, even in the midst of extraordinary uncertainty and wobbly optimism.

Alcoa, Williams and Murphy oil aren't surprising performers, as the commodity sector continues to outperform as demand and prices continue to rise. Alcoa has an input challenge, but the energy companies appear pretty solid at this time.

Alcoa will report a good quarter today, but guidance will determine the market response.

Williams is a natural gas company and Murphy both oil and natural gas.

Centrais Electricas Brasileiras S.A. (NYSE:EBR) is an Brazilian energy company, while Chubb markets property and casualty insurance.

Williams closed Friday at $52.81, falling $0.19, or 0.36 percent. Murphy oil closed at $77.00, gaining $1.93, or 2.57 percent. Chubb closed at $62.12, the same as Thursday's close. Centrais Electricas Brasileiras S.A. closed at $16.24, up $0.04, or 0.25 percent. Alcoa closed at $17.92, down $0.20, or 1.10 percent.