Passive Income: 4 Dividend Stocks

I recently spent some time investigating dividend stocks to help build passive income.  My screening criteria were primarily: safety of company and dividend, good dividend yield, solid track record of dividend payment, good dividend increases over time, solid financial performance and balance sheet and some diversification across different industries.  After reviewing many articles and doing my research, I landed on the following 4 "All Star" dividend stocks. 


Here they are and why they were selected:


1) AT&T (T):

• Sector - Telecommunications

• Dividend Yield - 6.86%

• Market Cap - $217Bn

• Assets: Liabilities - 1.53

• AT&T has grown its dividend for 33 years.  2013-2017 increase in cash dividends was 24%.

• Quick Take:  T has grown its dividend consistently over time and especially the last few years, has a long payment record, represents a great yield compared to many other companies and has a strong balance sheet and a commanding market position.

2) Ventas (VTR)

• Sector - Real Estate - Healthcare

• Dividend Yield - 5.14%

• Market Cap - $22Bn

• Assets: Liabilities - 1.92

• 8% compound annual dividend increase since 2001.

• Quick Take:  VTR has grown its dividend consistently, has a long payment record, represents a great yield compared to many other companies and has a strong balance sheet. 

3) Consolidated Edison (ED)

• Sector - Utilities

• Dividend Yield - 3.57%

• Market Cap - $25Bn

• Assets: Liabilities - 1.47

• Con Edison has increased its dividend for 44 consecutive years.

• Quick Take:  ED has grown its dividend consistently, has a very long payment record, represents a great yield compared to many other companies and has a strong balance sheet. 

4) Exxon-Mobil (XOM)

• Sector - Energy

• Dividend Yield - 4.56%

• Market Cap - $313Bn

• Assets: Liabilities - 2.25

• ExxonMobil's dividend payments to shareholders have grown at an average annual rate of 6.2% over the last 36 years.

• Quick Take:  XOM has grown its dividend consistently, has a very long payment record, represents a great yield compared to many other companies, has a very strong balance sheet and has a commanding market position. 

If you are looking to increase your passive income, these four dividend stocks are a great way to start or build your passive income stream from dividends.

For more investing ideas, click here.

Disclaimer:  This is not a recommendation to invest.  I don't hold any positions in these stocks.  I use affiliate links where I get paid a small amount if you buy the service or product. This helps support my blog.