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Few things are as attractive for income-focused investors as companies with a long history of consistently increasing their dividend payouts. Dividend growth is a powerful indicator of a company’s financial strength and commitment to rewarding shareholders. Businesses that can maintain and grow their dividends over decades demonstrate stability, predictability, and the ability to weather economic challenges. In this article, we’ll introduce three reliable companies with impressive dividend growth streaks spanning more than 50 years.

Why Dividend Growth Matters

A long track record of increasing dividends is a positive sign for investors for several reasons. First, it reflects the company’s financial stability and predictability. Consistently growing dividends suggest that the business generates steady, reliable cash flows that can support higher payouts over time. Second, a history of dividend growth bodes well for future increases, potentially leading to compounding returns for long-term investors. Finally, rising dividends can serve as a hedge against inflation, as the income stream from these stocks often outpaces rising prices over the years.

3 Dividend Growth Champions to Consider

Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG)

Current yield: 2.43%

Procter & Gamble is a consumer staples giant with a diverse portfolio of well-known brands, including Tide, Pampers, and Gillette. The company boasts an astounding 67 years of consecutive dividend growth, making it a true Dividend King. P&G’s dominance in its core markets and focus on innovation have enabled it to generate consistent profits and reward shareholders with rising dividends for over six decades.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

Current yield: 3.34%

Johnson & Johnson is a healthcare behemoth with a presence in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products. With 62 years of consecutive dividend increases, JNJ is another Dividend King with a proven commitment to shareholder returns. The company’s strong brand recognition, diversified business model, and consistent product pipeline contribute to its reliable cash flow generation, which supports its impressive dividend growth streak.

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:KO)

Current yield: 3.1%

Coca-Cola is a global beverage icon with a strong presence in markets worldwide. The company has increased its dividend for an impressive 61 consecutive years, earning it a place among the elite Dividend Kings. While KO’s dividend growth has been more modest in recent years compared to the other examples, its strong brand, global reach, and dominant market position still make it a reliable dividend payer for income-seeking investors.

Building Long-Term Passive Income

Companies with a long history of consistently increasing dividends can be attractive options for income-focused investors. As long as the company continues increasing its payout, the yield on your original investment will keep growing over time. Furthermore, reinvesting your dividends today can result in even greater income down the road.

The three Dividend Kings discussed in this article – Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and Coca-Cola – have demonstrated their ability to reward shareholders with rising payouts for over five decades. However, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and consider your individual investment goals before making any investment decisions. By exploring companies with a proven track record of dividend growth, investors can potentially build a reliable, growing income stream to support their financial objectives.

An Alternative Approach For Income Investors

Real estate has historically been one of the most reliable sources of income for investors but is traditionally far from a passive investment when you consider all of the management responsibilities involved. However, a company backed by Amazon.com Inc founder Jeff Bezos has created a real estate investment platform that allows retail investors to buy shares of carefully selected rental properties. The best part is you can invest with as little as $100.

Arrived takes on all of the landlord responsibilities while investors simply collect monthly dividends from the rental income while the properties appreciate in value over time. The platform has already funded over 370 properties and has paid out more than $5.6 million in dividends. The process to sign up and become a partner in a single-family rental only takes about 10 minutes.

Click here to view properties currently available on Arrived.

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This article 3 Reliable Dividend Stocks For Long-Term Passive Income originally appeared on Benzinga.com