Dividend-growth stocks have been terrific investments over the decades. They've typically outperformed the market with less risk. For example, since 1973, Dividend growers and initiators in the S 500 have delivered a 10.2% average annual total return compared to 7.7% for an equal-weighted market index, according to data from Hartford Funds and Ned Davis Research. Furthermore, they've delivered those higher returns with much lower volatility than the broader market.

Realty Income (NYSE: O) and Prologis (NYSE: PLD) have been dividend-growth stars over the years. That should continue in the future. This factor makes them seem like no-brainer investments for those with a couple of hundred dollars to invest right now.

Realty Income has been a wealth-creating machine since its public market listing in 1994. The diversified real estate investment trust (REIT) has delivered a 13.4% compound annual total return since coming public. That would have grown a $200 investment into nearly $9,000 over the years.

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Source Fool.com