Another Dividend Increase (Telus)

This morning, Telus (Toronto: T, T.A) has announced that it was boosting its dividend again (that's the second time in the last year), from $0.525 to $0.55 per quarter, a 4.8% increase. I own Telus in my DRiP portfolio.

More Dividend Increases (EIF, JNJ, SU, PEP)

Three more of my companies have recently increased their dividend payments.

Exchange Income Corporation (Toronto: EIF) announced in early April that it was raising its dividend from $0.13 to $0.135 each month, a 3.8% increase. The company was also announcing the acquisition of Westower Communications, a company that designs, builds, maintains and services wireless phone and other communications towers throughout North America.

Last week, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced a small 5.6% boost to the quarterly dividend, from $0.54 to $0.57 per share.

On Monday, Suncor (Toronto: SU) also announced an increase to the quarterly dividend, from $0.10 to $0.11 per share, a 10% increase.

Finally, this morning PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) announced a 7% increase to its dividend, from $0.48 to $0.515 per quarter.

I own shares of EIF, JNJ and SU in my DRiP portfolio, whereas most of my PEP shares are in my RRSP.

Net Worth Update

As of May 1st, my net worth was $150 080 (up 3.7% from $144 699). If I exclude house-related assets and liabilities, my net worth was $106 667 (up 5% from $101 550). Being paid back for my business trip to Vancouver was a factor in this big increase, as was reduced expenses this month.

Assets ($207 064, up 1.4% from $204 217)

• Bank Accounts $3 837 (up 4% from $3 688)


• Emergency Funds $1 697 (up 240% from $495)


• RRSP Accounts $69 005 (up 1.8% from $67 784)


• Non-Retirement Investments $33 980 (up 0.9% from $33 686)


• Home $98 430 (stable)

Liabilities ($56 984, down 4.3% from $59 518)

• Credit Cards $1 868 (down 55% from $4 154)


• Mortgage $55 017 (down 0.5% from $55 280)


• Line of Credit $0 (stable)

Ratios

• Debt / assets: 0.275 (down from 0.291)


• House value / total assets: 0.475 (down from 0.482)

Liquidities are getting much better, with my business travel expenses paid back and the tax returns coming in. My emergency fund should be back to its normal level by the end of the month.

We had a little plumbing problem this month, and had to call a professional to fix it. That cost us a little under $300. I've also started getting quotes for the roof. I'll continue looking at all options before taking a final decision on this front.