Dividend Powerhouse with More Than 50-Years of Dividend Increases Solidifies Position on Best Dividend Stocks List

For many investors, the consumer staples sector is strictly a defensive posture. After all, no matter what the economic environment – from recession to expansion – the need for food, toilet paper and toothpaste is pretty steady. You have to wash your clothes no matter what.

Because of this, many names in the sector are stodgy and mostly bought for their dividends. So, when you find one that features plenty of dividend muscle AND growth behind it, you buy it with two fists.

And that’s exactly the case with our Best Dividend Stocks List pick in the sector. Investors are able to get both.

Our pick is a monster in the protein and packaged food industry featuring plenty of top brands. More importantly, our pick has been quite successful in adding many organic, natural and “clean” food brands under its umbrella. These categories have seen explosive growth as consumers look to eat better.

As if that wasn’t enough, our firm is benefiting directly from the growth in protein demand overseas. Moving into key emerging markets such as China and India, our pick has seen tremendous growth in international revenues. With the consumer stories and protein demand in these regions just getting started, our pick has plenty of leeway to keep the cash flows and dividends growing. Although, our pick may not need the help. Our pick has managed to increase its dividend for almost half a decade. The latest was more than a 10% jump to its payout.

In the end, the combination of steady-eddy cash flows as well as plenty of growth makes it an ideal play for your dividend portfolio.

To summarize, here are five reasons why you should own this stock:

1. Recorded more than $9 billion in net sales last year with international sales showing double-digit growth.
2. Big player in emerging markets with a key focus on China and its consumer sector.
3. M&A superstar that has added several key brands to its portfolio.
4. Dividend superstar with more than 50-years of dividend increases.
5. Healthy payout ratio of 43% and increasing yield of 1.87%.

Check out our original pick here.