"Dividend growth has become increasingly scarce on Wall Street," says says Chuck Carlson, an expert on dividend reinvestment plans. In his The DRIP Investor he looks at two stocks boosting their payouts.

"For the first time in five years, the number of companies in 2007 boosting their dividends declined nearly
6% from the previous year, according to Standard & Poor's. And the slowdown in dividend growth continued in the first quarter of 2008.

"The first quarter marked the seventh consecutive three-month period of year-over-year declines in the number of companies raising dividends. Through the first three months of this year, 19% fewer companies raised dividends than in the year-earlier quarter.

"Even more alarming, 83 companies decreased their dividends during the fi rst quarter, according to S&P. That's up from just 19 in the same period in 2007 and is the highest number of dividend decreases since 1991.

"Nevertheless, there are still plenty of companies willing to boost their dividends, and you can now buy such companies at bargain prices.

"One company with a stellar track record of dividend growth is Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR). The firm produces a variety of electronics and electrical equipment. The company has increased its dividend for 51 consecutive years and should continue that streak this year.

"The stock, yielding 2.3%, has pulled back more than 10% from its 52-week high of $59 and offers an attractive buying opportunity for investors.

"Another attractive dividend achiever is United Technologies (NYSE: UTX). This industrial conglomerate has operations in aerospace, heating and cooling, and elevators.

"The company has paid a dividend for 72 consecutive years and increased its payout nearly 21% in 2007. Another healthy increase is in the cards in 2008. The stock, yielding 1.8%, is down 12% from its 52-week high of $82.50 and is a buy at current prices."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.