Last year’s dividend numbers were the worst in more than half a century, as corporations large and small struggled with a lack of financing, weak economic conditions, and poor earnings. But now, things are finally looking up … According to the latest data from Standard & Poor’s, February was a very solid month: •45 S&P 500 constituents increased their dividends vs. 30 a year earlier •Two companies initiated new payments (vs. none in the same month last year) •And only one company decreased its payment vs. 18 cuts …