As Foolish investors know, dividend-paying stocks outperform non-dividend paying stocks over the long term. However, many investors forget that the top returners are those that increase their rates every year. With this in mind, let’s take a look at three stocks that have raised their annual dividend payments for 11 consecutive years or more, so you can determine if you should buy shares in one of them today.
1. Royal Gold, Inc.
Royal Gold, Inc. (TSX:RGL)(NASDAQ:RGLD) is one of the world’s largest precious metals royalty and stream companies with ownership interests in 197 properties on six continents. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, or $0.92 per share annually, which gives its stock a 3.2% yield at today’s levels.
Investors must also note that Royal Gold has increased its annual dividend payment for 14 consecutive years, and its 4.5% increase in November 2015 puts it on pace for 2016 to mark the 15th consecutive year with an increase.
2. Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) is one of the largest communications and media companies in Canada. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share, or $1.92 per share annually, which gives its stock a 4% yield at today’s levels.
It is also very important for investors to make two notes.
First, Rogers Communications has increased its annual dividend payment for 11 consecutive years.
Second, I think the company’s increased amount of free cash flow, including 20.1% year-over-year growth to $1.4 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2015, should allow its streak of annual increases to continue in 2016.
3. Cogeco Cable Inc.
Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX:CCA) is the 11th largest cable system operator in North America and the second-largest in Ontario and Quebec. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share, or $1.56 per share annually, which gives its stock a 2.6% yield at today’s levels.
Investors must also note that Cogeco Cable has its increased its annual dividend payment for 11 consecutive years, and its 11.4% increase in October 2015 puts it on pace for 2016 to mark the 12th consecutive year with an increase.
Which of these dividend growers should you buy?
Royal Gold, Rogers Communications, and Cogeco Cable are three of the top dividend-growth stocks in the market, so Foolish investors should take a closer look and consider initiating positions in at least one of them today.
