The Dow’s 4 Fastest Dividend Growers: Intel Corporation (INTC), International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)

3. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), up 15% annually since 2008
For all the criticism that Microsoft has taken in recent years for being behind the times, the software giant still has its Office and operating system software as massive cash cows generating plenty of free cash flow. Microsoft hasn’t been hesitant to send more of that cash back to shareholders in the form of dividends, with annual increases in the 15% to 25% range since 2010.

Looking forward, Microsoft faces strategic challenges in figuring out how to adapt its business to the mobile revolution. Yet despite the widely heralded death of the PC industry, it would take a big transformation in the business community to dislodge Microsoft’s entrenched position as a key driver of productivity in the global economy. In the interim, dividend investors should be happy with the stock’s 3.3% yield.

4. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), up 14% annually since 2008
Intel faces many of the same challenges as Microsoft, with Intel’s PC-chip dominance under fire from competitors that have done a better job of penetrating the booming mobile-device chip space. That may explain why Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s dividend growth has slowed lately, with two increases of 15% and 16% in 2011 giving way to a more modest 7% rise last year.

Again, until PC sales disappear entirely, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) will continue to get a lot of cash flow from its existing processor business. Add in the potential that the company’s mobile offerings will start gaining traction, and Intel’s 4.1% dividend yield starts looking even more attractive.

Get the best dividends you can
These stocks have all demonstrated great success in managing their businesses to produce rising amounts of cash that they then turn around and pay to shareholders. If you’re an investor seeking income, you should look to these and similar stocks in deciding which investments to add to your portfolio.

The article The Dow’s 4 Fastest Dividend Growers originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Dan Caplinger.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter: @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends Intel and UnitedHealth Group and owns shares of Intel, IBM, and Microsoft.

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