These Are the 5 Perfect Dividend Stocks for Today's Market

The nearly decade-long era of ultra-low interest rates has been kind for dividend-paying stocks. Not only have they often offered payouts that are more robust than the yield on 10-Year Treasuries, but they have also racked up spectacular share price gains. But income-oriented investors now face a changing backdrop. Rising bond yields are now surpassing the payout levels of many dividend producers. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to focus on firms that have a long history of rising dividends in any economic climate. That means "dividend aristocrats." Here are five that currently offer dividend yields ahead of the 10-Year Treasury rate...

1. Abbott Labs (ABT) - This healthcare firm has boosted its payout for 44 straight years (and at least maintained its dividend for a stunning 92 years). 2. Consolidated Edison (ED) - My Grandma bought shares of this New York-based utility year after year, extolling its steady dividend growth. That streak of rising payouts is now in its 42nd year. 3. AT&T (T) - AT&T insists that there will be ample cash flow to both handle the debt burden and maintain growing payouts. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) - This healthcare firm shows the value of compounding, one of Warren Buffett's favorite investment metrics. Cincinnati Financial (CINF) - While this firm's current 2.8% yield is reasonably impressive, know that insurance firms are now entering the sweet spot of their cycle.

Source: MarketWatch

Related Articles:
- 13 Dividend Stocks and 3 ETFs To Balance Your Asset Allocation
- 4 Communications Services Stocks With Increasing Dividends
- 5 Stocks With Room To Grow Their Dividend
- 9 Dividend Stocks Ignoring The 4% Rule
- 10 Stocks That Have Paid Dividends For Over 100 Years