Ned Davis Research examined the relative performances of stocks between 1972 and 2006 and established a link between rising dividends and superior long-term returns. The study found S&P 500 stocks that consistently increased their dividends returned 10.4% total return (dividends + share price appreciation), while those that did not increase their dividends returned only 8.2%. The 2.2% advantage of the dividend raisers would equate to an additional $1,802 per $100 invested in 1972.
Below are several companies looking to follow the path of superior long-term returns by increasing their cash dividends:
