The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that dividends are the Swiss trains of investing, they always arrive on schedule, regardless of what sort of turmoil the market is experiencing. The Globe's John Heinzl writes in the Yield Hog column that some firms are so predictable, in fact, that investors can anticipate not only when they will receive a dividend, but when the company will raise it. Mr. Heinzl profiled electric and gas utility operator Fortis ($34.85) on Oct. 8. The shares were then worth $35.03. Its stock has been rebounding after years in the doghouse. Buoyed by a pair of United States acquisitions and investments in its Canadian operations, the company is poised to deliver solid growth in earnings per share and dividends over the next several years, analysts say. Increases are typically announced in December or January, and the fact that more than 90 per cent of Fortis's earnings are regulated makes it a conservative pick, says Mr. Heinzl. The Globe's Craig McGee said buy Fortis in the Number Cruncher column on July 17. The shares could then be had for $32.94. CIBC analyst Paul Lechem said buy Fortis in The Globe on Aug. 6. The shares were then worth $33.61.