Tis the Season for Extra Payouts

The holiday season is when companies often announce bonus dividends. Actually, strong 2014 profits have spawned a generous jump in special payouts all year. According to data compiled by S&P Dow Jones Indices, extras surged 49% through September, to 559 from 375. Last week brought more, including a hefty extra distribution of $2.77 a share, worth some $134 million in total, from Buckle, a retailer of medium-to-higher-priced apparel, accessories, and footwear for young men and women. That's more than double the $1.20 that Buckle paid out in 2013. Also aboard last week's bonus-dividend sleigh was Paccar, which voted a special of $1 a share. That will put an extra $354 million in investors' pockets.