One of the most well known facts about investing is that dividend-paying stocks far outperform their non-dividend-paying counterparts over the long term. This means that every long-term investor should own at least one dividend-paying stock, and depending on your age, investment goals, and risk tolerance, maybe even a diversified portfolio full of them. With this in mind, let’s take a look at three dividend-paying stocks with yields of more than 2% and extensive track records of increasing their payouts that you should consider buying today.
1. Royal Bank of Canada: 3.9% yield
Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) is the largest bank in Canada in terms of total assets. It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.77 per share, or $3.08 per share annually, giving its stock a 3.9% yield at today’s levels. The company has also increased its dividend eight times since 2011, making it one of the top dividend-growth plays in the financial sector today.
2. Thomson Reuters Corporation: 2.7% yield
Thomson Reuters Corporation (TSX:TRI)(NYSE:TRI) is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.335 per share, or $1.34 per share annually, which gives its stock a 2.7% yield at current levels. Thomson Reuters has also increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years, which makes it one of the top dividend-growth plays in the market today.
3. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.: 2.3% yield
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (TSX:SNC) is one of the largest engineering and construction companies in the world. It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, or $1 per share annually, giving its stock a 2.3% yield at today’s levels. The company has also increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years, making it one of the top dividend-growth plays in the engineering and construction industries today.
Which of these top stocks should you buy?
Royal Bank of Canada, Thomson Reuters, and SNC-Lavalin Group represent three of the top dividend-growth plays in the market today. Foolish investors should take a closer look and strongly consider initiating positions in at least one of them.
