Jim Trippon, CPA

Nucor (NYSE: NUE), one of the largest steelmakers in the U.S., boosted its quarterly dividend by 2.9% to 36 cents a share from 35 cents. Normally, an increase of less than 3% isn't much to get excited about, but given some of the problems that have plagued the steel industry over the past year, we view this news from Nucor as an encouraging sign.

Nucor began paying a dividend in 1973 and has raised its payout every year since then, good for a string of 37 years of consecutive dividend hikes. The shares currently yield 3.3%.

It is also worth noting that Nucor is one of the best, if the not the best, managed steel companies in the U.S. Chief Executive Officer Dan DiMicco knows how to navigate the cyclical waters of the steel business and has a stellar reputation for returning value to shareholders.

DiMicco is also adept at managing costs. In a business where many rivals lay-off workers during economic downturns, Nucor NEVER reduces its headcount, enabling the company to be ready when steel demand increases.

Speaking of steel demand, Goldman Sachs recently upgraded the steel sector, saying that the U.S. steel industry will return to growth in 2010 and demand from automakers and other industrial customers will improve next year. Goldman mentioned Nucor as one of its favorite names in the sector.

Nucor's new dividend is payable on February 11 to shareholders of record on December 31.