When looking for investments, you may want to look to the S&P 500’s Dividend Aristocrats list. Companies merit a spot on the list when they boost dividends for at least a couple of decades. Of course, it would be unwise to invest in a company based solely on its inclusion on this list. Looking into company fundamentals and whether it sells a needed product represent a must when doing investment research.
The service professionals
The company boosted dividends for 30 straight years . Its free cash flow increased 15% last year and paid out a low 22% of the total in dividends . Currently, the company pays $0.64 per share per year and yields 1.3%.
Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) doesn’t rest on its laurels. It pushes geographic expansion. Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS)’s 2012 expansion in the European market will bode well for the company as the European economy shows signs of recovering from their recession woes.
A power brand collection
Apparel and footwear company, VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) owns a portfolio of strong brands such as The North Face, Lee, Wrangler, and Timberland. VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) understands the power of branding, quality, and customer loyalty.
As of Oct. 2012, VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) boosted dividends for 40 years straight . Last year, its free cash flow increased 19% and paid out 34% of the total in dividends. Currently the company pays $3.48 per share per year and yields 1.8%.
VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) wants to grow its business with a global focus, acquiring more powerful brands, and creating new products. The company expressed its goal of garnering 43% of its revenue from the international arena by 2017. In addition, VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) established the VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) innovation fund in order to internally fund employee product design initiatives and the more recent innovation centers staffed with engineers, scientists, and technical designers.
Keeping the world clean
Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) boosted its dividend for 21 straight years . Last year, Ecolab grew free cash flow 90% and paid out 50% of the total in dividends. Currently, the company pays $0.92 per share per year and yields 1% annually.
Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) constantly innovates with new products. For example, it introduced the Advantis FC program, a cleaner that allows for food sanitation at lower temperatures . Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) also introduced the Kay Heated Soak Tank program that allows for easier sanitation of restaurant equipment. Also, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) wants to explore a new frontier with the acquisition of Champion Technologies , a chemical specialty company that focuses on the energy business. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) should benefit from the ever growing worldwide appetite for energy through this acquisition.
Conclusion
On the whole, these companies provide needed products and services and enjoy considerable brand loyalty while paying out relatively low amounts of their free cash flow in dividends. All of these elements provide the catalysts for growing the free cash flow that will sustain dividend increases for years to come.
The article 3 Dividend Boosters for Your Watch List originally appeared on Fool.com is written by William Bias.
William Bias has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cintas. The Motley Fool owns shares of Ecolab.
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
