7 Stocks With Stable Dividend Growth Since 1993

The payout policy of a company drives the stability of dividends. When a stable dividend payout policy is followed, the proportion of profit paid out as dividends remain constant irrespective of the level of earnings. Thus, as profit fluctuates, the company’s dividends payout also fluctuates accordingly.

Do you know why most of the firms pursue stable dividends or gradually increasing dividends? Because among investors, many consider dividends as a part of regular income in order to meet their expenses. Therefore, they choose a predictable trend of dividends rather than an irregular pattern. The company’s dividend policy reflects much to the investors. Raising dividends means an improved forecast for the company. Moreover, stable dividends are signs of stable earnings of the company. This article discusses 7 stocks that have boosted dividends for 19 consecutive years.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (NYSE:WMT) annual dividend yield stands at 1.44% and maintains a dividend payout ratio of 27.72%. The stock has a dividend of $0.72 annually. WMT shares traded in the range of $35.50 – $51.81 in the last 52 weeks.

WestAmerica Bancorp (NASDAQ:WABC) operates as the holding company for Westamerica Bank that provides various banking services to individual and corporate customers in northern and central California. WestAmerica Bancorp pays a dividend of $1.48 annually. The company has an annual dividend yield of 3.28% and has a dividend payout ratio at 47.74%. Shares of WABC have been floating in the range of $36.32 – $49.53in the last 52 weeks.

Roper Industries, Inc (NYSE:ROP) has an annual dividend of $0.55 while keeping its dividend yield at 0.57%. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of 10.71%. Shares of ROP have been trading in the range of $64.90 – $103.50 in last 52 weeks. ROP designs, manufactures, and distributes radio frequency (RF) products and services, industrial technology products, energy systems and controls.

Praxair, Inc (NYSE:PX) engages in the production, distribution, and sale atmospheric and process gases, as well as surface coatings in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. Praxair, Inc pays a dividend of $2.20 annually. The stock has an annual dividend yield of 2.07% and maintains a dividend payout ratio of 33.25%. Shares of PX have been floating in the range of $88.64 – $116.93 in the last 52 weeks.

Linear Technology Corporation (NASDAQ:LLTC) shares have been trading in the range of $25.41 – $34.50in the last 52 weeks. The company pays a dividend of $1.00 annually and has a dividend payout ratio of 48.85%. The stock maintains an annual dividend yield of 3.27%. LLTC together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets various analog integrated circuits worldwide.

Badger Meter, Inc (NYSE:BMI) manufacturers and marketers flow measurement and control products to water and gas utilities, municipalities, and industrial customers worldwide. Badger Meter, Inc pays a dividend of $0.64 annually. The company has an annual dividend yield of 1.84% and has a dividend payout ratio at 43.58%. Shares of BMI have been floating in the range of $26.86 – $39.85 in the last 52 weeks.

A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS) has an annual dividend of $0.80 while keeping its dividend yield at 1.58%. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of 17.78%. Shares of ROP have been trading in the range of $29.81 – $52.90 in last 52 weeks.

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the authors who have no stake in any stocks mentioned, and hold no plan to acquire any stake within the next 5 days.