Dividends are a main reason investors buy stocks. Equally important, dividends are often the reason investors hold onto a stock. Companies have accepted these facts. So, many publicly traded companies use their dividend payments to keep shareholders content. And it makes them eager to maintain a position in their stock.Certain companies make raising their dividend payout to shareholders a priority. Yet, others even issue special one-time dividends when times are particularly good and they are sitting on pil ...