Updating Snap-On Inc., Alliant Energy Corp. & McCormick & Co. Inc.

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SNAP-ON INC. $169 (www.snapon.com) makes tools for auto mechanics and sells them through a fleet of franchised vans that visit garages. It also makes specialized tools for mining companies, electrical power plants and other industrial customers. With the December 2016 payment, the company will increase its quarterly dividend by 16.4%, to $0.71 a share from $0.61. The new annual rate of $2.84 yields 1.7%. However, the stock is somewhat expensive at 18.5 times its projected 2016 earnings of $9.14 a share. Hold. ALLIANT ENERGY CORP. $36 (www.alliantenergy.com) sells power and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.29375 a share; the annual rate of $1.175 yields 3.3%. In 2017, Alliant expects to increase the annual dividend rate by 7.2% to $1.26 a share. That payout would yield 3.5%. Buy. MCCORMICK & CO. INC. $91 (www.mccormick.com) makes spices, herbs, seasonings and flavours. The company earned $131.1 million in its fiscal 2016…