Stella-Jones hikes dividend

Stella-Jones Inc. will be raising its quarterly dividend by 14.3 per cent starting with its payment on April 30. The increased payout to shareholders of the Quebec-based maker of pressure-treated wood products will be eight cents per share — up a penny from the previous quarterly dividend. StellaJones says 2014 marked the 14th consecutive year of growth, with annual sales rising to $1.25 billion from $1.01 billion in 2013. Its main products are railway ties and utility poles.