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But lower yields expected for more than half the component stocks: MarkitINVESTORS in many of the shares on the Straits Times Index (STI) can look forward to higher dividends over the next year, but yields themselves will not be so rosy, according to a research firm.儲存Markit Dividend Research said 19 out of the 30 STI stocks are expected to raise their payouts to shareholders in the 12 months to October 2014, while six are likely to cut them. The remaining five are projected to maintain zero dividend growth.However, dividend yields over the same period are expected to fall for more than half of the component stocks.The largest growth in dividends per share is expected to come from Singapore Airlines after some dividend volatility over the past few years.Although the operating environment remains challenging, analysts are projecting earnings growth of between 20 and 50 per cent for this fiscal year, said the report. Dividend yield for the national carrier is projected to increase to 2.87 per cent compared with 2.14 per cent a year ago.Dividends among the three local banking stocks are expected to edge up in the coming year, although s迷你倉ightly lower yields are expected for OCBC and DBS.The dividend yield for United Overseas Bank is projected to rise to 3.63 per cent this year.Banking stocks are the main drivers of dividends in the STI, accounting for over 20 per cent of aggregate dividends paid by all the component stocks in the index last year.Meanwhile, Markit is expecting a 20 per cent fall in Noble Group's dividends this year given the company's weak first half. Dividend yield could rise, however, if Noble's stock price remains depressed.Both City Developments (CDL) and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) pay regular special dividends, but declared additional specials in the last financial year. Without these non-recurring specials, the yields of both stocks are expected to come down significantly. CDL has a projected yield of 1.27 per cent, down from 1.79 per cent last year, while SPH has a projected yield of 5.35 per cent, halved from 10.32 per cent this time last year.Among the 19 stocks projected to raise their dividends, three are likely to give out special dividends - Sembcorp Marine, Singapore Technologies Engineering and Sembcorp Industries.chiaym@sph.com.sgself storage