3 Income Stocks Continuing Their Long Streak Of Increasing Dividends

For investors looking for reliable income, companies with a history of steady dividend growth are highly appealing. Here, we highlight three companies—First Merchants Corporation, Robert Half International, and New Jersey Resources—that have recently announced dividend increases and offer attractive yields.

First Merchants 

First Merchants Corporation FRME operates as the financial holding company for First Merchants Bank, offering community banking services across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. The bank provides a range of financial services, including deposits and loans for consumers, businesses, and agriculture. It also offers trust and wealth management services, brokerage, letters of credit, and other corporate services. 

First Merchants has maintained dividend payments for 36 consecutive years and has raised them for 12 years in a row. Last month, the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.35 per share, or $1.40 annually, yielding 4.45%. 

Over the last twelve months, the company generated $630.1 million in revenue and $207.6 million in net income.

Robert Half International

Robert Half International RHI is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting skilled job seekers with opportunities in finance, accounting, technology, marketing, legal, and administrative fields. The company also owns Protiviti, a global consulting firm providing internal audit, risk, and business consulting services. 

Robert Half has a strong track record of dividend payments, maintaining them for 21 consecutive years and raising them for 20 years. In February, Robert Half announced a 10.4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.53 per share, or $2.12 annually, yielding 3.31%. 

Over the past year, the company generated $6.15 billion in revenue and $352.8 million in net income.

New Jersey Resources

New Jersey Resources NJR provides natural gas and clean energy services through its subsidiaries. The company operates five primary businesses: New Jersey Natural Gas, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, Storage and Transportation, and Home Services. 

New Jersey Resources has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years. In September 2023, the company announced a 7.7% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.42 per share, or $1.68 annually, yielding 4.01%. 

Over the last twelve months, New Jersey Resources reported $1.72 billion in revenue and $248.8 million in net income.

Are You Missing Out on Higher Yields?

The current high-interest-rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through dividend stocks… Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities and Benzinga has identified some of the most attractive options for you to consider. 

For example, the Jeff Bezos-backed investment platform just launched its Private Credit Fund, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with a target 7% to 9% net annual yield paid to investors monthly. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings. 

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