Dividend stocks update: Publicly traded companies paid out a record number of dividend increases in Q1 2014, according to data from S&P Indices.

Over the January to March period, 1,078 dividend boosts were reported for a 14% year-over-year increase, unseating the prior Q1 record of 1,069 set in 1979.

In dollar terms, Q1 2014 payout increases amounted to a whopping $17.8 billion, up 22.9% from Q1 2013's tally of $14.5 billion.

"Companies are being pressured to use their available cash, resulting in near record levels of total shareholder returns from both cash dividends and buybacks," according to Howard Silverblatt, S&P Dow Jones Indices senior index analyst.

Despite the impressive dividend increases in 2014's first quarter, payout ratios (dividends as a percentage of net income) remain near their lows at 26%, with the historic average being 52%.

Companies are sitting on piles of cash just waiting to be returned to shareholders, and Silverblatt believes cash payouts for full-year 2014 will surpass 2013's total of $56.7 billion by double digits.

Following are 28 dividend stocks that increased payouts in the week ending April 11.

Adams Express Co. (NYSE: ADX) increased its quarterly dividend 150% to $0.05 a share for a 1.66% yield.

Artesian Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: ARTNA) raised its quarterly dividend 1.5% to $0.21 a share for a 3.83% yield.

Banco Santander S.A. (NYSE ADR: SAN) hiked its quarterly dividend 0.9% to $0.20 a share for an 8.57% yield.

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Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE: BK) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.02 to $0.17 a share for a 2.05% yield. It's the second shareholder-friendly action from the bank since March, upon passing the U.S. Federal Reserve's stress test. Last month, BK said it will repurchase up to $1.74 billion of its common stock beginning in the current quarter and continuing through next year.

BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (NYSE: BPT) increased its quarterly payout 19% to $3.009 a share for a yield of 1.72%.

Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT) upped its monthly distribution 14.3% to $0.08 a share for a 4.75% yield.

ENI SpA (NYSE: ENI) enhanced its semi-annual payout 2.1% to $1.518 a share for a 6.06% yield.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) raised its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.71 a share for a 3.94% yield.

First Busey Corp. (Nasdaq: BUSE) boosted its quarterly payout 25% to $0.05 a share for a 3.55% yield.

First Citizens Banc Corp. (Nasdaq: FCZA) fattened its quarterly dividend a penny to $0.05 a share for a 2.28% yield.

FT Energy Income & Growth Fund (NYSEMKT: FEN) raised its quarterly dividend 0.9% to $0.535 a share for a 6.34% yield.

HB Fuller Co. (NYSE: FUL) hiked its quarterly payout $0.02 to $0.20 a share for a 1.06% yield.

Healthcare Services Group Inc. (Nasdaq: HCSG) grew its quarterly dividend 0.7% to $0.1725 a share for a 2.34% yield.

Hospitality Properties Trust (NYSE: HPT) hoisted its quarterly payout a penny to $0.49 a share for a yield of 6.74%.

IDEX Corp. (NYSE: IEX) increased its quarterly distribution a nickel to $0.28 a share for a 1.61% yield.

International Speedway Corp. (Nasdaq: ISCA) upped its annual dividend 9.1% to $0.24 a share for a yield approaching 1%.

Lakeland Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: LKFN) raised its quarterly payout $0.02 to $0.21 a share for a 2.25% yield.

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Marcus Corp. (NYSE: MCS) moved its quarterly dividend up 11.8% to $0.095 a share for a 2.2% yield.

MV Oil Trust (NYSE: MVO) boosted its quarterly payout a nickel to $0.88 a share for a 13.42% yield.

Petroleum & Resources Corp. (NYSE: PEO) increased its quarterly dividend 400% to $0.10 a share for a 1.62% yield.

Plains All America Pipeline L.P. (NYSE: PAA) hiked its quarterly payout 2.4% to $0.63 a share for a 4.57% yield.

Plains GP Holdings L.P. (NYSE: PAGP) raised its quarterly dividend 36.4% to $0.17 a share for a 2.5% yield.

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) boosted its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.64 a share for a 3.2% yield. The Cincinnati-based company, best known for brands including Crest, Pampers, and Tide, has been paying dividends since its incorporation in 1890. For FY2014, which ends June 30, P&G expects to have repurchased some $5 billion to $7 billion of its stock.

Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM) increased its quarterly dividend $0.07 to $0.42 a share for a 2.15% yield. The company also approved a $5 billion increase to its buyback authorization, bringing the total authorization to $7 billion.

STRATS Trust for Dominion Resources Inc. (NYSE: GJP) sweetened its monthly distribution 10.7% to $0.063 a share for a 3.64% yield.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. (NYSE: SKT) raised its quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.24 a share for a 2.75% yield.

Vale SA (NYSE ADR: VALE.P) upped its semi-annual payout 649.4% to $0.40 a share for a 6.24% yield.

Washington Banking Co. (Nasdaq: WBCO) boosted its quarterly dividend $0.07 to $0.14 a share for a yield of 3.24%.

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