Atlas Energy, Dillards and Other Dividend Payers on a Roll

Here is a quick look some dividend payers with momentum. They all have market caps greater than $1 billion, and their share prices are up more than 30% in the past 90 days. While shares of Advantest ATE pulled back a bit in the past week, they are trading more than 77% higher year to date. In April, this Japanese semiconductor equipment maker completed integration of operations from its acquisition of Verigy. The company has a market cap of $2.9 billion and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed competitors such as Teradyne TER as well as the broader markets. American Eagle Outfitters AEO is up more than 45% in the past quarter, despite pulling back more than 6% from a recent multiyear high. The apparel retailer recently reported strong spring season sales that exceeded expectations. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh and has a market cap of $3.9 billion. Its dividend yield is 2.2%. The stock has outperformed rivals such as the Gap GPS and Urban Outfitters URBN over the past six months. See also: Aeropostale and American Eagle Land on the Retail Throne Natural gas producer Atlas Energy ATLS has seen its share price rise more than 67% year to date, despite pulling back more than 6% from a recent multiyear high. Much of the rise came in mid March after the Pittsburgh-based company announced the acquisition of some assets. Atlas has a $1.9 billion market cap and a long-term EPS growth forecast of 49.5%. The stock has outperformed larger peers Sempra Energy SRE and ONEOK OKE over the past six months. Dean Foods DF is more than 26% higher in the past month. The Dallas-based company earlier this week posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings and offered optimistic guidance, boosting shares. This dairy products producer has a $2.7 billion market cap and a long-range EPS growth forecast of 13.2%. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed Smithfield Foods SFD and the broader markets. See also: Dean Foods Up 10% on Strong Earnings and Guidance Dillards DDS is trading more than 47% higher year to date, putting it in multiyear high territory. The Little Rock, Ark.-based department store operator is expected to say that its EPS grew more than 21% in the first quarter. The $3.3 billion market cap company has a return on equity of 22.4% and a P/E ratio of 7.6. The stock has outperformed rivals such as Kohl's KSS, JCPenney JCP and Sears SHLD over the past six months. See also: Gap, Sears and Other Retail Stocks Up More Than 35% Year to Date The share price of GNC Holdings GNC is up about 17% in the past month and more than 107% higher than a year ago. The Pittsburgh-based retailer of health and wellness products posted better-than-expected Q1 results and raised its forecast above analyst expectations. The company has a return on equity of 21.9% and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Over the past six months, the stock has outperformed CVS Caremark CVS and Walgreen WAG. InterContinental Hotels Group's IHG share price is up more than 39% in the past quarter. In March, the UK-based company announced the launch of an upscale Chinese hotel chain. The company has a market cap of $6.9 billion, a dividend yield of 2.2%, and a return on equity of 110.7%. Its P/E ratio is less than the industry average. The stock has outperformed rivals such as Hyatt Hotels H and Marriott International MAR over the past six months. See also: InterContinental Hotels Posts Surge in Profit