Eli Lilly Amgen Nucor and Franklin Resources were among the many companies that declared dividend increases this week.

Eli Lilly (ticker: LLY) declared a quarterly payout of $1.13 a share, an increase of 15% from 98 cents. The large pharmaceutical company’s stock, which yields 1.3%, has returned 32% this year through Dec. 16, including dividends. That compares with minus 17% for the S&P 500

Source: finance.yahoo.com