Five Stocks That Have Boosted Dividends for Five Consecutive Years

Consistently increasing dividend payments signal to investors that a company is stable enough to weather market downturns. In a weak economy, such companies often fair better than their riskier counterparts. In addition, yearly increases to dividends can be an opportunity for investors to receive current income without selling equity stakes. Below are five stocks that have increased their dividends for five consecutive years.

: In 2007, 3M paid a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share, and in 2012 paid dividends of $0.59. The comglomerate stated on Wednesday that it would be displaying its multi-touch display line at InfoComm 2012. With the rising popularity of touch devices, 3M could see additional profits in its touch display segment. When commenting on 3M's touch display, Diego Romeu, the company's business operations manager, stated, “3M's high performance multi-touch displays meet or exceed their (users') touch response expectations which makes this extensive product offering an ideal fit for this expanding group of touchscreen users.” MMM traded down around 0.1% for the day

: In 2007 Coca-Cola declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34, and is now paying a dividend of $0.51. Coca-Cola is a major sponsor for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The company could receive major exposure during the summer games. Coke is the only major beverage company with a major sponsorship at the Summer Olympics. Coke traded down close to 0.1% for the day.

: At the beginning of 2007 CR Bard paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14, and, in 2012, is paying a quarterly dividend of $0.20. CR Bard raised its dividend on June 13 and saw a surge in its shares. Thursday, CR Bard received a $371.2 million award over a patent infringement dispute, in a partially won court case against W.L. Gore & Associates. BCR is traded up about 1.0% on the day.

: In 2007, Energen paid quarterly dividends of $0.115, and in 2012 has paid dividends of $0.14. Between 2007 and 2012, Energen increased its dividend by $0.005 each year. In the first quarter of 2012, the oil and natural gas company's net income decreased by about $37 million, as compared to the previous year's first quarter. Energen noted that the lower net income for the first quarter of 2012 was partially due to a decrease in natural gas prices. EGN traded more than 2.0% lower for the day.

: At the beginning of 2007, Valspar paid a quarterly dividend of $0.13, and is paying a quarterly dividend of $0.20 in 2012. In the past two quarters, Valspar has seen earnings growth of 59% and 31%, but sales growth has decreased to single digits. Investors panicked and shares of Valspar sunk after second quarter earnings came out. Reflecting upon Valspar's consistent dividend increases since 2007, however, might placate panicking investors Year-to-date, shares of Valspar traded up around 22.0%. They traded around 1.0% higher for the day.