I lately got here throughout a 2017 report from AJ Bell on the affect of rising dividends in FTSE 100 shares. The scale of the affect shocked me. It’s one thing I really feel each investor ought to be aware. 

The report was easy. It seemed on the whole return from FTSE 100 shares that had grown their dividends for 10 years or extra. Within the time interval chosen – from 2007 to 2017 – these shares returned 12.4% a yr. The FTSE 100 as a complete returned 5.2%. 

Trying on the shares individually, the dividend-increasers went up almost 4 instances (380% common) when the Footsie shares didn’t even double (65% common). That’s an enormous distinction and reveals what an important indicator a rising dividend is.

In quite a lot of methods, it is smart too. An organization that may develop a dividend should have many fascinating traits. It should have a confirmed enterprise mannequin with constant money flows and its administration have to be able to pursuing and capitalising on development alternatives, to call a pair. 

It’s simple sufficient to search out the FTSE 100 shares with long-growing dividends. And, shock shock, they’re among the many most respected corporations going. Listed below are three I believe buyers ought to think about. 

Finest going

The primary dividend-grower to catch my eye is BAE Techniques whose dividend has elevated for 20 years in a row. It rose by way of the 2020 Covid crash and the 2008 monetary disaster, when loads of different corporations reduce or cancelled shareholder payouts. 

BAE has seen big demand for the weapons it sells, which embrace the F-35 Fighter Aircraft, the M88A3 Heavy Restoration Automobile and Hunter Class Frigates. This rising demand and state-of-the-art engineering is why I believe the inventory will proceed to develop. 

I’m completely satisfied to personal shares within the arms producer and think about it one of many UK’s biggest shares. However there’s a draw back — the weapons hyperlink. That is an moral hurdle that some may not be capable to recover from. 

Software program firm Sage Group can boast a dividend that has elevated for even longer, stretching again 28 years. That run began within the mid-Nineties and saved rising even by way of the dotcom crash, which introduced quite a lot of different tech corporations to their knees. 

Sage’s dividend yield would possibly look low, at 1.82%, however the inventory has been an enormous winner. It’s elevated six instances in worth since 2008. I don’t personal the shares, however I’m tempted to open a place quickly.

As for dangers, the accounting software program it sells to small companies might be beneath menace from opponents. The barrier to entry is low for this type of know-how product.

Longer nonetheless, security group Halma can level to a dividend that has elevated for 44 consecutive years. I consider no different FTSE 100 agency has such a prolonged streak, and it’s possible a contender for one of many longest wherever on the planet. 

Since 1980

That string of elevated funds started in 1980, earlier than the FTSE 100 even existed. And the dividend has been rising by way of a technology of recessions, crises and inventory market crashes. 

With this enviable observe file, the inventory is offered at a premium. The agency now trades at over 30 instances earnings. That huge price ticket  – almost triple the Footsie common – is a threat and what places me off most from opening a place right here.